Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sir Paul McCartney!

Last night Ed and I went to see Sir Paul McCartney play at the Yankee Stadium - I don't think I'll ever be able to say that ever again! What a night!

We bundled off the crowded 4 train outside the impressive stadium and made our way through the gates...

Well, we went through the gates after finding out the big cameras weren't allowed in the venue, so I had to take my fancy camera and put it in a locker down the road, paying $10 for the privilege!!!

Anyway, once we got through the gates, we made our way to our seats - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay up in the heavens, on row from the very very back infact, but it didn't matter - the view was still amazing...

We overheard people saying that the stadium could hold 40,000 people for a music event, put it looked like waaaaay more. It was funny to see that the pitch was so protected, with security guards making sure no-body could run onto it and disturb the sand.

There was no support act, just a DJ playing some fantastic mixes of Beatles songs and then there was a 15-20 minute musical introduction with a great video before the big man took to the stage!

The crowd went absolutely bonkers when he came out, the cheering made the hairs on my neck stand up, and then the band started playing, beginning with The Magical Mystery Tour.

The setlist was really really varied, I think he played a lot less Beatles songs this time, compared to when Pops and I saw him (1o years ago!!!) in Sheffield. He played some more albumy tracks like I've Got A Feeling and The Night Before he also did a Fireman song which was fantastic.

He did some great Wings stuff, like Maybe I'm Amazed, Jet, Juniors Farm and Live and Let Die, which was absolutely incredible with all the fireworks...



He even brought out his mandolin to play Dance Tonight, this video's for you Pops...



I had to keep telling myself 'He's 69!' as he was jumping up and down and getting the crowd going, rocking out on his guitar and singing and screaming. He was amazing.

His interaction with the crowd was great too, he was telling quite a few stories, he played a little tribute to Jimi Hendrix (he played Foxy Lady) and told a story about watching Jimi Hendrix play in a club 2 days after Sgt. Peppers came out and hearing the Jimi Hendrix had learned to play it, and then had to ask Eric Clapton to re-tune his guitar for him... Imagine being at that club that night!

He did his ukulele version of Something for George and sung a very lovely song for John, saying that he regretted not telling John in person that he loved him before he died (it was quite sad), he also sung Give Peace A Chance at the end of A Day In The Life.

Of course, he played a veeeeeeeeery long version of Hey Jude...



In the end, he played for about 2hrs 45 minutes (!!!) with two encores, the first of which he had a special guest join him... BILLY JOEL! Being from New York, the crowd went bonkers for Billy Joel too, he looked a bit shocked by the reception (but that might have been because he was probably drunk and didn't really know where he was!). They sounded great together!

It was an absolutely FANTASTIC night and such an amazing experience to see Paul McCartney at Yankee Stadium. The atmosphere was incredible and the audience we singing and dancing along to every song. I have a feeling the he'll be playing gigs for quite a while yet, he had so much energy and sounded absolutely brilliant!

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