A Mancunian Christmastime
Sir Paul McCartney proves Beatlemania is alive and kicking with outstanding sold out Manchester gig.
It comes as no surprise that hearing Hey Jude live might just be my favourite moment of the entire night, with the audience creating the longest sing-a-long I have ever heard at a live show. Of course, the song played in its entirety and maybe even longer, with the crowd showing no sign of stopping, swaying side to side in a moment that can only be described as heart warming. Hearing the likes of Hey Jude, Let It Be and Blackbird, just to name a few, live after their release more than 60 years ago, certainly makes you feel lucky.
From The Beatles to The Quarrymen, McCartney performed to a crowd of over 23,000, with a lengthy set list lasting over two and a half hours, kicking off the night with Beatles favourite Can't Buy Me Love.
The show took place on December 15th, being one of only four UK dates - Two nights at Manchester's Co-op Live (14th & 15th), and two at London's O2 (18th & 19th). Consisting of eccentric backgrounds, James Bond themes, and reminiscent stories of his career's success, it was a triumph from beginning to end.
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| Just a couple of Beatles fans! @paulmccartney |
It was hit after hit throughout, from earlier singles like Love Me Do, to Wings favourite Band On the Run, you can listen to the full track list here. In what felt like a big Beatles party, everyone was up on their feet, dancing along to the likes of Drive My Car and All My Loving, soon travelling even further back in time to the '50s, performing The Quarrymen's In Spite Of All the Danger and chatting briefly about his time in the band.
After warming the crowd up with some of the classics, McCartney performed the band's most recent release, Now and Then, pulling at the heartstrings of everyone in the audience. While performing, the screen displayed the music video for the band's final track, which was released back in 2023, and his since won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance. Showing clips of the fab four during their time as a band, the performance was dedicated to late friend and bandmate John Lennon, as McCartney described the love he had for the late singer as the audience came together to reminisce on their time during the 'swinging sixties'. He went on to tell stories of George Harrison and his passion for the ukulele, bringing his own onto the stage which Harrison had gifted him to perform an acoustic version of Abbey Road's Something, before being joined by the band, paying homage to yet another dear friend.
In the spirit of Christmas, it was no surprise when the arena erupted into cheers after hearing the opening chords to Wonderful Christmastime - Which, unfortunately for those around me, now means listening to me announce 'I've heard this song live' every single December, sorry! Undoubtedly, just one of the highlights of the show took place during the song's performance, while during the chorus McCartney and his band of elves were accompanied by a local children's choir, singing the beloved Christmas hit while fake snow fell into the audience, which you can watch here:
We heard multiple songs by McCartney's second band Wings, consisting of himself, late wife Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine. From arguably underrated tracks like Letting Go and Let Me Roll It, to Let 'Em In, which I unfortunately am unable to listen to without thinking of a certain lottery advert (you know the one), the songs were a loving reminder of his success after The Beatles, as well as his relationship with Linda. Junior's Farm and Jet had everyone up on their feet, and when Live and Let Die began, if I wasn't warm before, I definitely was afterwards. Apart from being a beloved Bond theme, the song has become somewhat a running gag on platforms like Tiktok. As the chorus began and the beat dropped, the screen filled with explosions while the stage produced blazing flames reaching quite some height, with McCartney disappearing behind them, which I must admit, was not something I expected to see but I'm here for it!
Spirits remained high as fans danced to the joyous Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and Lady Madonna, before taking a more rock approach while performing Helter Skelter. The mood remained high throughout, moving into his solo career with 2018's Come On To Me, before slowing things down with Here Today, Maybe I'm Amazed, and My Valentine, dedicated to his wife, Nancy.
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| @paulmccartney |
Ending on a high note, the show came to a close with an Abbey Road medley, performing Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, and The End, which I can only describe as magical to hear performed live, concluding what was perhaps the best concert I have ever been to.
More than 60 years after the first Beatles single was released, McCartney continues to prove that Beatlemania is very much alive, and frankly, never left. "And, in the end" after decades of arguably being at the forefront of the music industry, the 82 year old has once again put on an incredible performance, selling out stadiums and arenas around the world. From being a fan of The Beatles for many years, it was a dream come true to hear these songs live, and is not an overstatement when I say this was possibly the best day of my life.
Between the show's final applause a potential return was teased, so keep your eyes peeled, as this is not a show you would want to miss.
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