Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Posted: 24 Jun 2010
Paul McCartney
Hampden Park, Glasgow.
Four years past the landmark of 64 he once wondered if he’d still be loved at, Paul McCartney produced a near three-hour performance that showcased some of the greatest songs in popular music from the past half century.
“See you next time,” he said at the close, the 68-year-old clearly having no intentions of making this his farewell and why should he – especially on a tour named the ‘Up and Coming’ tour?
With the 50,000 crowd nicely warmed up by ex Texas leading light Sharleen Spiteri, McCartney kicked off with ‘Venus and Mars/Rock Show’ from the Wings album ‘Venus and Mars’ and proceeded to lead his followers into another world.
Having been at the top of the tree for so long, McCartney certainly knows what he’s doing. Other than the obligatory fireworks on the James Bond theme tune ‘Live & Let Die’ and the essential big screens so that people at the back of the giant stadium could actually see him, Paul relied on none of the pyrotechnics some stadium shows depend on and, backed by a tight four-piece band featuring the outstanding Abe Laboriel on percussion, McCartney worked his way through a 36-song set list sprinkled with recent material but reliant on regular Beatles crowd pleasers mixed with highlights from the Wings years, ‘Band on the Run’ being one of the show’s highlights.
‘All My Loving’, ‘Paperback Writer, ‘Back in the USSR’ ‘Let it Be’, ‘Eleanor Rigby’, ‘Drive My Car’, ‘A Day in the Life’ ‘Get Back’ ‘The Long and Winding Road’, a solo ‘Yesterday’ and the ultimate stadium sing-a-long ‘Hey Jude’ were all there as were a rendition of ‘Mull of Kintyre’ (specially for Glasgow) and tributes to George Harrison, John Lennon and Linda McCartney in the shape of ‘Something’, ‘Give Peace a Chance’ and ‘My Love’ before the curtain finally came down with ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.’
Talking to a gigantic audience as if he’s speaking to people one- to-one is one of Paul’s gifts – after all, everyone feels as if they’ve known him all their lives so anecdotes about Jimi Hendrix, Russian government ministers and ex-Beatles are delivered as if sat at a bar chatting with an old mate.
Paul McCartney doesn’t have to strut around the stadium striking rock poses – there’s no need to when your standing in the history of music is unsurpassed by anyone living. Paul – we still love you when you’re 68.
Rob and Barbara Mason
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