FIELD NOTES: Paul McCartney, CO-OP Live, 15th December 2024
Sir Paul McCartney at CO-OP Live, Manchester (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
A first visit to Manchester’s CO-OP Live, saw my two daughters, brother and me, make the trip across the Pennines to see Paul McCartney’s second night at the venue on his “Got Back” worldwide tour.
Feedback from the first night at the fairly recently opened CO-OP Live had highlighted a number of problems including long queues to get in and general disorganisation, but we were met with a slick and efficient entry to the impressive arena and facilities.
Paul McCartney needs no introduction whatsoever and, together with his band, made their way onto the stage with little fanfare, but received a rapturous reception from the 23,500 capacity crowd.
Launching quickly into “Can’t Buy Me Love” things sparked into life and McCartney’s tight band powered into a groove with a number of Wings songs before a return to Beatles territory.
Whilst his voice displays signs of his advancing years, McCartney commands the crowd in only the way he can, and you really feel the aura of a true rock and roll deity, as he ploughs through many all too familiar classics.
"McCartney reduced the 23,500-capacity arena to a small-room feel, taking an acoustic trip through 'In Spite of All the Danger' and 'Love Me Do' that reminded us exactly why these songs changed the world."
It really was wall-to-wall favourites from the Beatles, Wings and solo McCartney repertoire - the crowd lapped it all up with a fervour, singing along to “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, joining the Christmas mood of “Wonderful Christmastime” with snow falling across the venue from the rafters, and “Let It Be” packing its indomitable punch.
Zero Degrees North: Wonderful Christmastime cools things down (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Things also got spectacular with “Live and Let Die” given full blown visual effects with explosions and pyrotechnics that even warmed us on row 26!
Gas Mark 200 Degrees: Live and Let Die heats things up (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
The presence of John Lennon and George Harrison hovered over the gig, with McCartney full of tribute to the role both have played in his incredible musical life. “I’ve Got A Feeling” poignantly capturing McCartney duetting with a synchronised film of Lennon singing the song.
The final part of the encore continued the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” ethos, culminating with Abbey Road’s “Golden Slumbers” and “The End”.
The first time I have seen Paul McCartney represented the closing of a circle commenced when I properly discovered The Beatles on my own musical journey (watch this space!), and it also was fitting that both my daughters and brother, were with me to witness such a memorable gig!
A selection of moments from the gig (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Seat: Section A1, Row 26, Seat 6
Setlist:
Can’t Buy Me Love
Junior’s Farm
Letting Go
Drive My Car
Got To Get You Into My Life
Come On To Me
Let Me Roll It
Getting Better
Let ’Em In
My Valentine
Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five
Maybe I’m Amazed
I’ve Just Seen A Face
In Spite Of All The Danger
Love Me Do
Dance Tonight
Blackbird
Here Today
Now And Then
Lady Madonna
Jet
Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!
Something
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Band On The Run
Wonderful Christmastime
Get Back
Let It Be
Live And Let Die
Hey Jude
I’ve Got A Feeling
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
Helter Skelter
Golden Slumbers
Carry That Weight
