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Homecoming for a Beatle
Paul McCartney is Live in Liverpool for Capital of Culture celebration

by Timothy Tilghman

Sir James Paul McCartney performed at the final event staged at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium, on Sunday, June 1, 2008. McCartney headlined the Liverpool Sound concert along with the Kaiser Chiefs and The Zutons. The date was exactly five years to the day that Macca last appeared live in Liverpool.

Having reached the 800th anniversary of its founding, Liverpool was designated as the Capital of Culture in 2008. Former Fab drummer Ringo Starr inaugurated the celebratory concert series in January and was not expected to put in an appearance. However, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and Stella McCartney were all on hand to participate in coinciding functions to enhance the festivities of the weekend.

There were a few surprise selections in his hometown set. "Hippy Hippy Shake", which launched his gig, was a nod to the emerging Fabs when they played the red light district in Hamburg. "In Liverpool" was a new ballad composition written specifically for this occasion. "Eleanor Rigby" and "Penny Lane", two songs about Liverpool, hyped crowd reaction.

Paul brought out his ukulele and sang "Something" in tribute to the late George Harrison. During the encore, McCartney honored the memory of John Lennon and played a medley of "A Day In The Life" and "Give Peace A Chance". David Grohl was invited as a guest musician to perform on three numbers.

McCartney's date at the Liverpool Sound was his first stage appearance since playing a series of club gigs in 2007 to promote the release of Memory Almost Full. Macca had been distracted by his protracted divorce proceedings that were finally settled allowing Paul to move on with his charmed life.

Liverpool setlist: Hippy Hippy Shake * Jet * Drive My Car * Flaming Pie * Got to Get You Into My Life * Let Me Roll It (Foxy Lady outro) * My Love * C Moon * The Long And Winding Road * Dance Tonight * Blackbird * Calico Skies * In Liverpool * I'll Follow The Sun (with 4 endings) * Eleanor Rigby * Something (tribute to George first on ukulele then electric) * Penny Lane (forgot words false start) * Band on the Run (David Grohl on guitar) * Back in the USSR (David Grohl on drums) * Live And Let Die * Let It Be * Hey Jude * Encore: Yesterday * A Day In The Life > Give Peace A Chance * Lady Madonna * I Saw Her Standing There (David Grohl on 2nd drumkit)

RockonTour   Issue #81
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