During “Let Me Roll It,” McCartney played guitar and concluded with a bit of Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” They also covered Big Joe Turner’s “Honey Hush,” which McCartney said was a song from his youth. He moved to piano and after “The Long and Winding Road,” he announced the day was rather emotional for him because it was the anniversary of Linda’s death, which tugged at the heartstrings. He dedicated “My Love” to her.
During a solo performance of “Blackbird,” security had to carry a fellow out who eyes were rolled back in his head. McCartney admitted to missing some notes and chords because he was reading audience signs. It was impressive that he confessed because he didn’t have to. One sign asked for his pick, but he said he needed it. He then dedicated “Here Today” to John.
He then performed some obscure solo songs to the casual fan. When the video showed shots of the audience at this time, they looked lackadaisical. The technical director cut away quickly. Much of the video presentation was surprisingly poor. The video displays on the side of the stage throughout the performance while extremely large were quite narrow, so they revealed very little at one time, and when they cut in for a close-up of the hands playing the cameraman couldn’t keep them in the shot, although he likely wasn’t trying. During the Wings’ song “Band of the Run,” the video screens behind the band featured Beatles footage, which seemed an odd choice.
McCartney strummed a ukulele unaccompanied during the opening of George’s “Something” and then offered the deep album cut “I’ve Got A Feeling.” “A Day in the Life” segued into “Give Peace a Chance.” McCartney then finished off the set on the piano with “Let It Be” and the James Bond theme “Live and Let Die” that was augmented into a magnificent spectacle with flames and fireworks. Would have been made for great ending, as McCartney with a deserved grin of satisfaction. He then went into “Hey, Jude” and turned it into a big group sing-along. It was so joyous it was surprising we all didn’t join hands.
With the clock after curfew at around 12:15, and reports promoters had to pay the city $1,000 each minute over, the band took their bows. As some people started to make their way out, it was curious that the stage lights never came up and roadies were scurrying around, but not packing up. Then they came out to encore with “Birthday,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “Lady Madonna.” They left again and surely that was it, but McCartney came out alone at 12:33 and played “Yesterday” on guitar, an obvious emotional end point. Then the entire band returned yet again for “Helter Skelter,” driving away any exhaustion a member of the crowd might have. It got to the point where as much fun as I was having I wanted him to stop because of the two-hour drive I had ahead of me. McCartney didn’t care and fired off “Get Back.” To my amazement people were still getting high at this late hour. Ah, youth. The band finally concluded with “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)” and “The End,” taking their final bow at almost 1am (and strangely made no mention of Ringo throughout the night).
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Thanks, Josh
2 - Josh Hathaway
No problem, El Bicho. You got to see and hear some great sights and sounds.
When I read about the poor clown who passed out ahead of time, my first thought was, "Fucking students." That's just not a full-share move. You can't go down before the bell in the first round. You just can't do it.
3 - El Bicho
And there's more on the way.
I hope a friend of the young fella at least grabbed his ticket before he hit the gurney and sold it for him.
4 - Mat Brewster
Sounds like a good time El B. That's a lot of rock for one day, I'm surprised you were alive to make it to day two.
5 - Coachella 2009
One of our writers went to Coachella all three days, and loved every part except for someone breaking his car windows and the extreme heat.