Live at London 02 Arena – Dec 19 2024
By Leah Simons
In a live action version of Guess Who, it’s apparent that a mass of well-known faces have gathered to witness the last date of Paul McCartney’s ‘Got Back’ Tour. Amongst them, a figure dressed in all black, donning circular sunglasses can be seen. From my seat in the Gods, I can’t be sure that it’s another Beatle joining in the celebrations but I know damn well that if it is, the night will evolve into an even greater spectacular.
It’s 8.15pm. Enter McCartney and the relentless opening chord of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. Straight in without hesitation, the song’s upbeat demeanour forces the adrenaline to kick in… not that it hadn’t already. From this alone, it’s apparent McCartney is still, 67 years into his career, a stark showman with no bruises to his energy and passion for his music. The audience observe in awe, and rightfully so.
The setlist continues with classics spanning the whole length of his career, evidence of his undeniable mark on music. All bases are covered as we weave between the eras of McCartney’s legacy with ease, with McCartney himself acting as a tour guide offering anecdotes to accompany the music.
Poignance and party juxtapose throughout the setlist, with McCartney declaring his range. Highlighted evidence of this is found within seminal Wings song ‘Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five’ being sandwiched between bittersweet love ballads ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’.
Another highlight is found within a miniature acoustic set which finds McCartney isolated from his band to perform ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Here Today’, alone. The poignance of each song, with one being commentary on the civil rights movement and the other direct address to John Lennon after his passing, is enhanced by his isolation. It is just McCartney and his guitar.
Continuing on, the piano returns and McCartney presents us with what is quite likely the very last Beatles song – ‘Now and Then.’ The age in his voice elevates the emotion as it dawns on what you are witnessing.
The journey continues to twist and turn through the various decades of McCartney’s legacy, with Beatles, Wings and solo music being thrown at you without hesitation.
Even more highlights are found within McCartney’s tribute to George Harrison through a performance of ‘Something,’ performed on a ukulele gifted to him by Harrison, and, six days before Christmas, ‘Wonderful Christmastime’, which brings pure joy to the crowd. These moments are merely a bonus to this incredible evening, yet not the last surprise in store.
‘Get Back’ is the next song on the setlist, yet not without its surprises, as McCartney welcomes his original Hofner bass on stage to perform with it for the first time in just over 50 years. Then The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood joins McCartney, adding his guitar to the instrumentation of the song.
Pacing through more incredible songs, we reach ‘Hey Jude,’ and 20,000 voices convene to repeat the singular-syllabled ending. The momentum of the arena shifts and goosebumps become an undeniable requirement.
We return for the encore with a staple of McCartney’s modern concerts – ‘I’ve Got a Feeling’, in duet with John Lennon, on the screen behind him. The second verse is the chance for John’s presence to shine, noted by McCartney who turns to watch him. A simple yet magical moment which will stick in the mind forever.
A brief pause allows for another drum kit to be rolled out on stage, at which point we all become aware of what’s to occur. Despite the crowd chanting his name, it’s only when Ringo Starr appears on stage that it truly sinks in. Accompanied by the crowd’s ferocious cacophony of screams and cheers, a warming reunion occurs. It’s like a time machine which has brought us back to the very peak of Beatlemania. ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ and ‘Helter Skelter’ are performed and heighten the energy in the room, a feat I thought impossible giving what had already occurred in the hour and a half before.
The final moments of the show consist of the finale of Abbey Road, as a medley of ‘Golden Slumbers’, ‘Carry That Weight’ and ‘The End’ draw the night to a close. The luscious instrumentation of the final moments perfectly tie proceedings together.
Without a doubt, everyone in the room that night witnessed perhaps the greatest concert they will ever see. People constantly attempt to diminish McCartney’s on stage abilities as his career continues, but buying a ticket to one of his concerts will never disappoint those who witness his shows live.
As someone who calls The Beatles their favourite band, and McCartney their favourite musician, it was the perfect night. There is so much more I could say about each moment but with fear of writing a novel, I have had to converse of the highlights, of which their were a stark amount. It was a truly unforgettable evening and I still sit in disbelief in the luck that I got to witness it. If anyone is in any doubt surrounding buying a ticket for his next tour, I implore you not to hesitate.
