The loudspeakers played Wings and The Clash moments before Billy Joel walked on to the stage. Then the lights flickered, and the at-capacity crowd at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts roared. “I hope no one is assuming this is going to be a concert,” he said. Joel stood onstage between two pianos and in front of a gong Thursday night for Accent’s “Billy Joel – An Evening of Questions & Answers … And a Little Music.”

He looked like a college professor in a dark sweater, jeans and a baseball cap, and he used a green laser pointer to pick audience members. A woman asked if he was going to tour again. “If I get the vibe, I’ll do it,” he said, his voice loud and deep as he waved his hands around while he talked.

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