Review: Paul McCartney Got Back tour, Suncorp Stadium Brisbane
Former Beatle and living legend Sir Paul McCartney has said goodbye to Brisbane, as he jets off to enjoy some sun at one of Queensland’s most famous tourist spots.
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Former Beatle and living legend Sir Paul McCartney has said goodbye to Brisbane, as he jets off to enjoy some sun at one of Queensland’s most famous tourist spots.
Sir Paul McCartney was caught sneaking out of the lavish Stamford Plaza Hotel in the Brisbane CBD on Thursday afternoon.
While whispers had the superstar retreating to the serenity of Hamilton Island straight after his jaw-dropping Wednesday night performance at Suncorp Stadium, it appears McCartney preferred the luxury of the Stamford for an overnight stay.
READ OUR REVIEW OF THE BRISBANE SHOW BELOW
The iconic rock star, graced Brisbane fans with a cheeky exit wave before zooming away in a glossy BMW, bidding farewell to the River City.
A devoted crew of fans, who’d seemingly cracked the code on McCartney’s hideout, camped out in the Stamford’s lobby for a glimpse of the ‘60s sensation, with many fans shedding tears and sharing tight embraces after the star-studded convoy zoomed off.
It is believe McCartney will now enjoy a few more days of R&R on Hamilton Island, before playing his final Australian show on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
REVIEW: Paul McCartney at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane
The first time Sir Paul McCartney played Brisbane was at Festival Hall in 1964, and our town was in the throes of Beatlemania.
Unbelievably, almost 60 years later, McCartney still holds the power to create mass hysteria after delivering an unforgettable experience for almost 40,000 fans on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
“This is pretty cool, I am going to take a minute to drink it in for myself,” said McCartney as he opened the show, as his fans caught their first glimpse of the former Beatle.
It’s been six years since McCartney toured Australia, but this seven-date Got Back tour has a special feel to it.
McCartney was straight into it with Beatles classic Can’t Buy Me Love, before launching into the back catalogue of Wings, the longtime band he played with in the 70s with his first wife Linda.
There were some, as McCartney says, “old songs, new songs and songs in between” and some tributes to old friends like Jimi Hendrix with a guitar solo on Foxy Lady.
The bassist is in his element, feeding off the crowd and his first-class band, including a suave horn line playing among the crowd in the stands at one point.
He’s up there with his longtime band, Paul “Wix” Wickens on keyboard, Brian Ray on bass/guitar, Ray Anderson on guitar and Abe Laboriel Jr on drums.
From the bass to electric guitar to the piano and mandolin, McCartney shows us all just why he and his catalogue of hits have endured more than six decades.
He may be in his 80s but his music’s appeal spans the generations, from young fans with their parents to grandparents not missing a word as they sang along to their favourites with their grandchildren by their side.
The show took a humorous twist as the iconic Beatle beckoned his sign wielding fans to flaunt their banners after belting out his 13th track. The legend himself couldn’t help but engage, reading out the messages from his adoring crowd.
Among the sea of signs, one cheeky fan declared, “I quit my job to be here,” capturing McCartney’s attention and undoubtedly scoring some serious fan points. Another sign threw a bit of good-natured banter into the mix, proclaiming, “I’m one of three people in Brisbane not related to you.” McCartney, ever the charmer, confirmed with a laugh that yes, he did indeed have a clan of relatives joining the party that night.
But the sign-spotting didn’t end there. “Will you sign my butt?” one sign read. Without missing a beat, McCartney shot back with a cheeky grin, “Well go on, let’s have a look at it,” sending the crowd into fits of laughter.
From the international arena, a group of devoted Japanese fans, recognised by McCartney from their globetrotting adventures following his tour, held aloft a sign that simply read “Saiko” – “the best” in Japanese. Seizing the moment for a cultural exchange, McCartney turned teacher, giving the crowd a quick and jovial lesson in Beatles Japanese 101.
McCartney’s drummer, Abe Laboriel Jr., was certainly no back seat performer either. Quickly stealing the limelight and the hearts of the audience, Laboriel showcased a slew of impressive dance moves. From the floss to the nostalgic macarena and the sprinkler, the beats master proved he had rhythm in more ways than one.
Echoing scenes from decades past, the stadium lit up with smartphone glows, not lighters, as McCartney serenaded the masses with Let It Be.
A visibly moved McCartney thanked the crowd for the stunning display.
The spectacle reached new heights with Live and Let Die, featuring a breathtaking array of fireworks, explosions, flames, and lasers.
Post a staged finale, McCartney’s crew returned, flags in hand – UK, Australian, and rainbow. However crowd-favourite Laboriel cheekily opted for a red-wine toast.
The night took a nostalgic turn as McCartney delivered a virtual duet with John Lennon for I’ve Got a Feeling, followed by Birthday, Golden Slumbers and The End, wrapping up an unforgettable show.
McCartney reflected on the past, chatting about the backstory to songs with My Valentine about a holiday with his wife Nancy, who was in the crowd, and reminders of just where it started all those years ago.
“Way back then we were a young struggling band just hoping to get noticed so we wanted to make a demo record so we could play it to people,” said McCartney before playing In Spite of Danger, the first song on that demo which he said cost £5.
The affable scouser’s voice can still hold up a stadium, and he rolls out the Beatles hits getting the crowd to their feet; Got to Get You Into My Life, Getting Better, Love Me Do and a particularly special moment, Blackbird.
Sprinkled in between were Wings tracks; Let Me Roll It, Let ’Em In, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five.
It’s undoubtedly a journey of the past, but impressive audio and video technology blasted old and new footage while laser projected across the packed stadium.
It feels incredibly surreal to be in the presence of a Beatle.
It’s an experience many thought had passed them by.
He’s one of the men behind songs that have sound tracked childhoods, milestones, love stories, heartbreaks and above all, the history.
This was not only a stadium gig fronted by a superstar, it was life-changing for many: a moment in time as one of the greatest, most decorated and adored musicians of all time lit up lives with songs that shaped the world of music forever.
And the crowd knew just how extraordinary this experience was; united in their love, adoration and fandom for a man and musician so influential.
But mostly those at Suncorp Stadium to witness the magic were united in the knowledge that this was a night they’ll be telling stories about for years to come.
Despite many suspecting this was likely to be the 81-year-old’s final Australian tour,
McCartney ended the show with a “See you next time,” filling his fans with hope of a return someday.
Paul McCartney takes his Got Back tour to the Gold Coast’s Heritage Bank Stadium
on Saturday night
Setlist:Can’t Buy Me Love, Juniors Farm, Letting Go, She’s a Woman, Got to Get You Into My Life, Come On To Me, Let Me Roll It, Getting Better, Let Em In, My Valentine, 1985, Maybe I’m Amazed, I’ve Just Seen a Face, In Spite of All the Danger, Love Me Do, Dance Tonight, Blackbird, Here Today, New, Lady Madonna, Fuh You, College, Jet, Mr Kite, Something, Obla Di Obla Da, Band on the Run, Get Back, Let It Be, Live and Let Die, Hey Jude. Encore:I’ve Got a Feeling, Birthday, Sgt Pepper Reprise/Helter Skelter, Golden Slumbers.
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