Paul McCartney

Liverpool Kings Dock, Sunday 1st June 2003

There is always something special about being on the banks of the River Mersey in the summertime. Especially when an event like this is taking place. The setting sun over the disused docks on the Birkenhead side of the water offers a backdrop that is hard to beat. Even the faint hint of rain is not likely to wash away the atmosphere that had built up in the afternoon preceding the gig.

In front of 35,000 fans from around the world, Macca was coming home – the conclusion of his Back In The World tour.

With no support – who would want that unenviable task. The proceedings started with a dance troop which seemed to go on for an age and just as you beginning to think turn this in, the familiar figure of Paul McCartney appeared on the large screens at the back of the stage, holding that familiar Hofner bass, accompanied by the crashing opening chords of ‘Hello, Goodbye’. Thirteen years on since his last visit, he was indeed back home.

The set list covered all phases of his illustrious 40-year career and was one that owner’s of the Back in The World DVD or CD or visitors to previous concerts would be familiar with, with a few notable additions for the home crowd – ‘Maggie May’ and his first-ever composition ‘I Lost My Little Girl’. With a back catalogue like Paul McCartney’s, the hard part was probably what to leave out.

The classic songs where treated with the respect that they deserve by the fantastic band that McCartney has put together for this our, though with a few embellishments of their own. No more so was this highlighted with the powerhouse drumming of Abe Laboriel during ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ that took a great song to another level.

The set that ran to over three hours had something for everyone and left you not only impressed by the quality of his songwriting, but his stamina too. At 63 years young this was some feat.

The pace at the start of the gig was something else as he rattled through his hits from Wings and The Beatles. As the pace slowed down McCartney turned his thoughts to absent friends. Linda his wife who was up on stage the last time he played here. To John Lennon and George Harrison sadly no longer with us he shared some memories of growing up in Liverpool as well as treating us to a playful tribute to George by playing his classic ‘Something’ on the ukulele.

The band returned and the hits kept on coming. The pyrotechnics on ‘Live and Let Die’ were a particular highlight. This tour contained the most Beatles songs that McCartney has performed live. Some that he had performed live for the first time ever. The time ticked on and the hits kept on coming and the crowd could not have asked for anymore with trusty crowd pleasers such as ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Hey Jude’ being sung with equal gusto to that of the band.

Sadly all good things have to come to end and after a generous encore, in which Paul McCartney clearly emotional at the reception he had received. Summed up his feelings by saying. “To be on the banks of the Mersey with you lot is special. Word’s can’t express how I feel tonight.”

‘Sergeant Pepper/ The End’ closed the night’s proceedings leaving those who witnessed the event traipsing off into the night thoroughly entertained and hoping that McCartney would hold his promise to come back and perform much sooner than the last wait for a hometown gig. On the evidence of tonight’s performance one night wont be enough.