How does someone with more than 60 years of music fit it all into a headline show? The answer is, dear reader, they don’t. It’s simply not possible. Playing night one of two at Allianz Stadium, the legendary Paul McCartney did however manage to warm the hearts, ears, memories and nostalgia of the Sydney crowd blessed to be in the presence of one of the all-time greats.
Managing to select a setlist for a headline show is tough enough for an act with 3 albums, let alone one with six decades experience, almost 40 studio albums, and a plethora of hits from some of the most influential bands ever. And yet, Sir Paul did it with ease. Which honestly says a lot for someone who is well past retirement age and has every right to rest on his laurels developed over the past 6o years. Playing a set that featured new ones, old ones and some in between ones, there was a bit of everything for everyone in attendance. Noting that while he and the band knew which songs the crowd really wanted to hear but he was still going to play some of his more recent material, you generally sensed that McCartney still loved what he does and wasn’t phoning it in for a sick pay cheque.
From the get go, The Beatles got a look in with “Can’t Buy Me Love” opening the night and getting the crowd on their feet. Based on this song alone, you’d be forgiven for thinking the night was going to be hit after hit. And while for some in attendance, it may well have been, for parts of the 39-strong setlist there were plenty of deep cuts that slowed the momentum the previous song or two had built. This isn’t a jab at McCartney and if anything compliments his longevity in the industry and ability to continually craft multitudes of songs that resonate with generations beyond generations.
Taking the time to story-tell, including tales of guitar tuning with Jimi Hendrix, through to Frank Sinatra’s favourite Lennon/McCartney track and his and Lennon’s ability to find songs in just about anything, the magician on stage playing the left handed bass managed to wow and wonder the crowd for near enough to three hours. And while the set on a whole may have been one for the purists, with deeper cuts like “Ninety Hundred and Eighty Five”, “Junior’s Farm” and “Helter Skelter” all getting a run, the night was still one that even the most casual of fans could get around. “Getting Better” reminded the Australian crowd of their former favourite 1990’s lifestyle TV show, while the harmonica and pre-song storytelling on “Love Me Do” brought some real vibes to a crowd that got intermittently rained on. Throwing in a sprinkling of Wings hits like “Band on the Run” and set highlight “Jet” worked a charm, while the pyrotechnics of “Live and Let Die” surely left a few in the crowd with mild heart attacks.
One of the great takeaways from the night for me was being able to attend the show with my Dad, a lifelong Beatles fan. Add to that the fact it was at a Paul McCartney show ie one of the most influential artists of all time, the night really felt like a dream. I’ve been fortunate to see plenty of live music since my first gig in 2008, but it wasn’t lost on me and the sold out crowd the magnitude of being able to see a former Beatle live in the flesh for what could prove to be the last time. A multi-instrumentalist responsible for some of the best and most loved songs ever in our backyard; it was something to behold.
Naturally the biggest and best moments of the night came in the form of The Beatles’ most well known songs. Playing the ukulele as a tribute to former bandmate George Harrison on “Something” warmed everyone’s cockles, while with the magic of technology allowed the duet with John Lennon on “I’ve Got A Feeling” to bring a tear to plenty in attendance. You could tell that even after all these years, McCartney still looks back fondly at his time in The Beatles with his friends. And while a Ringo Starr song didn’t get a look in (I’d have frothed a little “Octopus’ Garden” or “Yellow Submarine” to be honest), you got the feeling McCartney is forever thankful for his time with the band. Closing the main set with songs like “Get Back”, “Let It Be” and “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da” and “Hey Jude” was masterful, while filling the middle stages of the night with classics like “Blackbird”, “Lady Madonna” and “Got To Get You Into My Life” was straight out of coaches playbook.
You’ve got to marvel at anyone’s ability to do something for as long as Paul McCartney has. To be able to enchant and bring joy to so many people for so long says so much about the abilities of the man. Playing a near three hour set, night after night is just another feather to add to his cap. It was a pleasure and honour to be able to witness one of the greats in the flesh after all these years. Thank you Paul.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Header image: Adelaide Entertainment Centre Oct 19 – credit MPL
