NOTE: I'm going to keep this shorter than normal because I'm really in a loss for words when it comes to describing this show. That, and I'm still tired. Like super tired. So off we go!
---
It doesn't get any better than Paul McCartney. It's plain and simple. Nobody even comes close to his style, his songwriting skills, and his presence on stage. Sir Paul is just on some other level. Usually I compare concerts with other concerts, but this time I can't, simply because you can't compare bands like Green Day or Nine Inch Nails to someone like Paul. His music, from his Beatles days to his time in Wings and as a solo artist, has been such an important part of my life (as well as many others) for so long. Finally getting to see a performer of Paul's stature is a dream come true for me. Despite some minor complaints, watching Paul jam and shred (yes, even at 67, Sir Paul can still shred like the best) was truly awe-inspiring, and the entire 2-and-a-half hours I felt like I was in the presence of something truly special.
First the bad: I had to fly to Atlanta for this show and spend 3 hours standing in a grassy field with the sun beating down on my face. No cameras or seats or anything else was allowed, but it seemed like I was one of the few people without a seat or bag. Worst of all, despite there being a 0% chance of rain all day, about 7 songs into Paul's set, it began to POUR down rain. It didn't stop for 15 minutes, and I was freezing cold and soaking wet.
But none of that could stop me from standing in awe of what was happening before me. Paul McCartney truly is a master of his craft.
Paul began at 8:40 and didn't stop until 11:20. Never has any band or performer I've seen play for that long (only Green Day comes close). His set began with the one-two punch of "Drive My Car" and "Jet", and continued on with hits from Wings, his solo records, his new "Fireman" record, and of course, The Beatles. With two jumbo screens on either side of the huge stage, it was made sure that everyone of the 50,000 people at the show could catch of glimpse of the Great One. All through the show Paul mentioned how thankful he was to be playing there that night, and he and the rest of his band was full of energy and clearly having a great time. Paul made many tributes throughout the night; he paid tribute to the 4oth anniversary of Woodstock, the 45th anniversary of the Beatles playing Shea Stadium, and played two songs in memory of John and George, which received major applause. The main set was capped with a pyro and firework fueled rendition of "Live and Let Die", followed by the powerful sing-along "Hey Jude". Paul and his amazing band returned for two encores, all filled with nothing but Beatles hits. The show ended with the reprise of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and the final song from "Abbey Road", "The End", making it the perfect way to cap the night.
Soaking wet, cold, tired, aching, and barely able to stand up, I stood there in the mud and stared at the stage as Paul walked off giving thumbs up and waving peace signs at the crowd. I stood there trying to soak in what had just occurred before my eyes. Never again will I see such dedication and true talent and skill. Paul rocks out harder than most people a third of his age. Nothing , not even rain or cold, can stop Paul McCartney. He is truly a legend.
Paul McCartney's Setlist:
Drive My Car
Jet
Only Mama Knows
Flaming Pie
Got to Get You Into My Life
Let Me Roll It / Foxy Lady
Highway
The Long and Winding Road
My Love
Blackbird
Here Today
Dance Tonight
Calico Skies
Mrs. Vanderbilt
Eleanor Rigby
Sing the Changes
Band on the Run
Back in the U.S.S.R.
I'm Down
Something
I've Got a Feeling
Paperback Writer
A Day in the Life
Give Peace a Chance
Let It Be
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude
Encore:
Day Tripper
Lady Madonna
I Saw Her Standing There
Encore 2:
Yesterday
Helter Skelter
Get Back
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
The End
No comments:
Post a Comment