He wore an understated blue jacket that he nonchalantly peeled off after a few songs, eliciting shouts of appreciation from those in the crowd who remember him as the most cuddly of the Fab Four. McCartney is the rare septuagenarian musical genius who can still wear pink button-down shirts and black jeans well.
On his feet were a type of ankle-cut, moderately high-heeled footwear similar to a style that was once internationally known as, well, Beatle boots.
The Rupp crowd took Sir Paul’s bait and illuminated the tune after the rock icon’s none-too-subtle hint.
The moment was one of many highlights in an evening that was, from beginning to end, a marvel. But it proved especially insightful in explaining what made the performance so special.
It underscored how the concert, for all its unavoidably nostalgic lure, didn’t stay buried in the past. Oh sure, the better part of the program – a stunning setlist of 37 songs delivered in a 2 ¾ hour performance with no intermission – went heavy on Beatles favorites as well as popular relics from McCartney’s ’70s albums with Wings. But there were also surprises. Lots of them.(kentuky.com)
Set List below
As for McCartney directly, he remains something of a wonder onstage. Two weeks shy of his 77th birthday, he looked fit, sang with surprisingly unblemished gusto (yes, a few cracks of age appeared, but nothing more than what most rock singers half his age reveal in performance) and flowed with the program’s length and drive as it were a casual stroll. A testament to his stamina was the encore segment, which had him ripping through a reserved but still immediate version of “Helter Skelter,” one of the Beatles’ most savagely electric works, after navigating a full 2 ½ hour set. McCartney didn’t look even remotely winded afterward either.
A Hard Day's Night
(The Beatles song) (On stage at 8:20 pm.)
Junior's Farm
(Wings song)
Can't Buy Me Love
(The Beatles song)
Letting Go
(Wings song) (With horns.)
Who Cares
Got to Get You Into My Life
(The Beatles song) (With horns.)
Come On to Me
Let Me Roll It
(Wings song) (Over at 8:55 pm)
I've Got a Feeling
(The Beatles song)
Let 'Em In
(Wings song) (On piano. With horns. Start at 9:03 pm.)
My Valentine
(On piano.)
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
(Wings song)
Maybe I'm Amazed
I've Just Seen a Face
(The Beatles song)
In Spite of All the Danger
(The Quarrymen song)
From Me to You
(The Beatles song)
Dance Tonight
Love Me Do
Blackbird
(The Beatles song)
Here Today
Queenie Eye
Lady Madonna
(The Beatles song) (Paul on piano. With horns.)
Eleanor Rigby
(The Beatles song) (Back to guitar.)
Fuh You
(Back to bass. Phone anecdote. 9:59 pm.)
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
(The Beatles song)
Something
(The Beatles song)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
(The Beatles song) (Back on bass. With horns.)
Band on the Run
(Wings song) (Started at 10:16 pm)
Back in the U.S.S.R.
(The Beatles song)
Let It Be
(The Beatles song)
Live and Let Die
(Wings song) (
Hey Jude
(The Beatles song)
Encore:
Birthday
(The Beatles song) (
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
(The Beatles song)
Helter Skelter
(The Beatles song)
Golden Slumbers
(The Beatles song)
Carry That Weight
(The Beatles song)
The End
(The Beatles song)
The new Freshen Up tour launched in September in Canada winning incredible reviews. In October the tour headed to the US for Paul’s headline performance at the 17th annual 'Austin City Limits' festival. Earlier this month Paul completed the Japanese leg of the tour.