Sir Paul McCartney 20/12/09

Sunday December 20th 2009 will be forever etched in my mind as the date that music royalty came to town. While the word ‘legend’ is a term used for many artists that are exceptionally good it has become rather overused and therefore not worthy as a title for Sir Paul McCartney. Music royalty seems a much more appropriate term of affection for someone that has transcended everyone else in the business and there can’t be many people who were lucky enough to be in The O2 Arena Sunday night that would disagree with this.
This being only Sir Pauls second solo appearance on Irish shores meant that this was a highly anticipated gig. There was no support on the night and at exactly 8pm we were treated to a massive slideshow of The Beatles and various other images of Liverpool in the 60’s, on huge screens either side of the stage lasting just over 20 minutes with some Beatles remixes playing in the background. While this was enjoyable to see the crowd were starting to get impatient and once the lights dimmed there was a massive roar as Sir Paul and his band came out on stage. Starting with ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ with psychedelic images on a massive screen spanning the entire width of the stage, they were on top form right from the start.
The set list was a mixture of his solo music mixed in with some Wings tunes and of course the obligatory Beatles songs that got the loudest cheers of the night. Highlights of which there were many included excellent renditions of ‘Blackbird’, ‘The Long and Winding Road, ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’, ‘Live and Let Die’, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Yesterday’. There were tributes to the late John Lennon and George Harrison where McCartney played the ukulele. This was one of at least 5 different instruments that he played. The others included Bass, Guitar, Mandolin and Piano. He also paid tribute to former Wings member Henry McCullough who was in the audience and dedicated ‘My Love’ a song he wrote about his deceased wife Linda, to him.
Contrary to reports I read that suggested that McCartney had very little crowd interaction at recent gigs, the opposite can be said to be true at this gig with there being a constant banter going on between a lot of the songs. Included were his attempts at Irish, ‘Cead Mile Failte’ and ‘Nollaig Shona Duit’. He also spoke about various songs he sang and their origins. Of interest was when he described how the melody for ‘Yesterday’ came to him in a dream and how it took him a few weeks to realise that he it was actually his tune!
Music aside we were also treated to an amazing backdrop behind the stage of various images during the entire gig, an amazing pyrotechnic display during ‘Live and Let Die’ and some fake snow for the season that’s in it at the end of the show. The band were outstanding during the entire show and when McCartney was thanking them at the end the joy on their faces to be lucky enough to be actually playing for him was plain to see.
Only very once in a while do I feel extremely lucky and privileged to be seeing someone in concert. This was one of those rare occasions and to finally have being able to see a Beatle live in concert has being a long time dream come true. Often when we desire something and then get it, it can be a massive disappointment but not here. This concert and seeing Paul McCartney live lived up to every expectation and more besides. It ticked every box and while it is a habit of mine to try and find some constructive criticism this is one gig where that has being impossible and the happy memories of will give me a warm feeling inside for a long time to come.