A look back at St Pancras Station’s most iconic surprise performances with A-listers from Elton John to Jeff Goldblum showing off their piano skills

A look back at St Pancras Station's most iconic surprise performances with A-listers from Elton John to Jeff Goldblum showing off their piano skills

As a music enthusiast who has had the pleasure of witnessing some truly remarkable performances, I must say that the impromptu concerts at St Pancras International Station have consistently proven to be a treasure trove for music lovers like myself. The diverse range of artists, from established legends to up-and-coming stars, gracing those piano keys has transformed the station into a vibrant cultural hub.

For quite some time now, numerous well-known actors and popular musicians have entertained travelers at London’s renowned St Pancras railway station with their performances.

Since 2007, London St Pancras International (formerly just St Pancras) serves as a significant central London train station, situated within the London Borough of Camden.

This station serves as the final stop for Eurostar trains traveling from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands to London, making it a hub that greets countless travelers annually.

Right in the heart of the bustling train station, there’s a magnificent piano that invites spontaneous play, leaving many travelers amazed by unexpected, brilliant performances from some well-known artists.

From Elton John to Alicia Keys, several stars have shocked Londoners with their impressive shows.

TopMob revisits some well-known personalities who brought joy to commuters through unexpected public performances.

A look back at St Pancras Station's most iconic surprise performances with A-listers from Elton John to Jeff Goldblum showing off their piano skills

Jeff Goldblum

This past week, Jeff Goldblum, aged 72, gave an impressive off-the-cuff holiday performance, prior to the highly anticipated release of the movie titled Wicked.

Under an extraordinary, Wicked-themed Christmas tree adorned with emerald tones, the performer sat at the piano within the bustling London train station, ready to play.

In the movie, Jeff, who takes on the role of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, not only performed a tune from the film but also two beloved holiday classics.

In a long, beige coat paired with grey wool pants, the star presented himself elegantly during the performance.

With uncontainable joy, Jeff displayed his remarkable piano skills, eliciting thunderous claps from the admiring audience after his performance.

Following his show, Jeff could be spotted conversing with a crowd of admirers and passersby under the festive, green-themed Christmas trees, an initiative jointly organized with Universal Pictures, to mark the launch of Wicked.

Craig David

In October, London residents were taken aback when Craig David, aged 43, delivered a stunning acoustic set at the local train station.

As a die-hard admirer, I found myself utterly thrilled when the seven-day chart-topper himself took to the stage during my daily commute, serenading us with an exquisite medley of five of his most popular tunes. A complete stranger graced us with his piano skills, creating a mesmerizing harmony that left me speechless. It was nothing short of magical!

With throngs of enthusiastic spectators amassing, Craig began the impromptu concert by playing his 2000 hit “7 Days”, followed by his 2003 song “Rise & Fall”.

After that, the R&B performer remarked, “We’re just rattling off these tunes quickly, I’m merely passing by,” and inquired of the pianist, “What other tricks do you have up your sleeve?

Craig then broke out into his single Can You Feel Me before transitioning into Unbelievable.

To conclude, the rapper performed his recently-released track “In Your Hands” for his last song in September.

Alicia Keys

Last year Alicia, 43, showed off her skills on one of the pianos at St Pancras Station.

With a throng of commuters amassing, the talented performer played her chart-topping songs “Empire State of Mind,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” and “No One.

In my latest fashion statement, I donned an exhilarating leather car racing jacket paired with a sleek black skirt, completing the look with relaxed, stylish black leather boots.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d say I effortlessly incorporated a striking black high-neck top into my bold outfit, mirroring the impeccable fashion sense that the American singer is known for.

Alicia gleamed with joy as she struck various poses near the piano and flashed broad smiles for the photographers following her outstanding show.

Sir Elton John

In 2016, Sir Elton John, who was 77 years old at the time, surprised and delighted passengers at a famous train station with an unexpected piano performance.

Images and clips shared on Twitter demonstrated the musical icon exhibiting his timeless talents, boasting an abundance of classic tracks to perform.

As a devoted admirer, I had the privilege of witnessing Elton John gracefully play the piano for a brief spell. Before departing, he left a heartfelt message on the instrument, “Take pleasure in this piano. It’s a token of affection. Yours sincerely, Elton John.

Posting a photo of the piano on his Instagram account, he captioned the snap with: ‘Surprise!! I popped into St Pancras International to christen the Yamaha piano which I donated to the station. Now everyone can have a play.’

In another photo he shared, which depicted a message penned on a piano, he echoed lyrics from one of his popular songs, “Your Song.” The message read: ‘My talent is my tune, and this piano belongs to you.’

After delivering an outstanding show, he expressed gratitude towards his fans before exiting the venue with elegance.

John Legend

At St Pancras Station, you can find two pianos available for the enjoyment of any passing traveler who’d like to take a seat and give a brief impromptu performance.

Back in 2017, I found myself utterly amazed while traveling on public transport. You see, it wasn’t just an ordinary day – a musical genius himself, John Legend, 45, decided to grace us with his presence! To make the moment even more memorable, he started playing a soulful version of All Of Me and another one of his hits, SureFire. It was truly a magical experience that I will never forget!

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m delighted to share that I had the privilege of joining forces with a multi-talented American artist who boasts an impressive collection of 12 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award. On a special day dedicated to our cherished piano, we performed a heartwarming piece together in support of National Piano Day.

The actor from La La Land, recently arrived in London via Eurostar and promoting his European tour, couldn’t help but seize an opportunity to play one of the instruments, much to the delight of passersby who were treated to an impromptu performance.

He flaunted his exceptional taste in fashion, wearing a beige coat along with stylish black sunglasses.

Sir Rod Stewart and Jools Holland

Last December, Sir Rod Stewart, who is 79 years old, and Jools Holland, aged 66, took their audience by surprise with an unplanned live show.

The duo, consisting of the vocalist and the keyboardist, brought life to their 13-song album titled “Swing Fever,” delivering a lively performance accompanied by a complete band and backup vocalists.

Amidst the crowd, Rod’s wife Penny Lancaster, aged 53, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself, capturing moments with her mobile phone’s camera.

Rod showcased his signature style in a cream wool overcoat, teamed with slim-fit denim pants and leopard-patterned footwear.

Meanwhile, Jools opted for a navy polo neck top with smart trousers and a long black coat.

Norah Jones

In March, Norah Jones, who is 45 years old, surprised and entertained people by playing a mix of her songs on Elton John’s train piano.

An American music artist who has won nine Grammys journeyed by Eurostar from Paris to a London train station to perform a special piano setlist that included “Don’t Know Why,” “Sunrise,” along with two tracks from her latest album, titled “Visions.

People present were observed grinning, leaning forward for a better view, or capturing the performer on their devices as they recorded the action live.

The star looked in her element as she belted out some of her best hits to passers-by.

At the given moment, Wendy Spinks, the Commercial Director at St Pancras and HS1 Ltd, expressed that their station takes pride in hosting open-air shows. This makes it an engaging and vibrant spot for both travelers and shoppers to enjoy.

It’s wonderful that Norah Jones decided to mark her latest album release by performing unexpectedly at St. Pancras, undoubtedly bringing joy to travelers and delight to everyone involved.

Lewis Capaldi

In 2022 the Scottish singer, 28, stunned local commuters as he performed his single Pointless.

He went to the London train station to play a simplified rendition of a song on a piano.

On their TikTok account, The Official UK Charts shared a video featuring the celebrity. In this video, spectators, both fans and passersby, were observed capturing the moment on their mobile devices.

At the same time, Lewis could be seen standing outside the station, distributing promotional materials for his latest track. Later, he approached a young girl who was delightfully playing the piano within the station.

In the heartwarming clip, Lewis is captured offering a high-five to the girl prior to praising her exceptional talent at playing the piano.

Next, Lewis sat down at the piano, with the small girl standing nearby, to perform a piece from his album titled “Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent.

2024-11-21 17:05