Sorry for the late post, but I just got back from the DC show last night. Decided to stay in DC and do some tourist things.
Before I start on the concert, let’s talk some concert etiquette.
1. No dancing on chairs. If you want to dance, do it on the floor.
2. Every time Macca does a song that is non-Beatles don’t shout “play (insert Beatle song here)”
3. If you’re only purpose in going to a show is to get trashed… STAY HOME!!! Seriously, why do these idiots always get the best seats and are then gone half the show at the bar.
Now on to the show.
The show started almost 2 hours late. He had a couple DJ guys do a little opening bit before the show. The opening montage was pretty cool but ran through twice before he finally came on.
I got to the venue about 4:30 after 2 ½ hours on the Metro with what should have been a 45 minute trip.
When I walked up I could hear the faint sounds of Paul doing sound check. Here are the songs I could make out.
Only mama Knows
Sing the Changes
C Moon (has he ever not done this at a sound check?)
Midnight Special
Michelle
Dance Tonight
I’m not gonna post a whole setlist, just what were the highlights for me.
Sing the Changes- No video of this song live can do it justice. I was completely in awe of how great this came off. It was unlike anything I’ve experienced at a Macca concert before. During this song he flashed some firework-like images of Obama on the screen. Words can’t describe how great this song was. He could’ve done just this song and walked off stage and I’d have been a happy camper.
Helter Skelter- When I last heard him do this in 2005 his voice sounded like it was struggling with some of the notes, but he nailed it. It was like he just did the track yesterday for the first time.
Mrs Vanderbilt- The audience loved it, and a song I never thought I’d hear live. The HO HEY HO song-a-long was so much fun and the crowd ate it up.
Something- Started off with just Paul and his ukulele then went into a full-blown version. The reaction from the crowd was tremendous. They reacted better to this than John’s Give Peace A Chance. There were loud cheers for George as images of him and Paul together flashed across the screen. It was very touching and I enjoyed it much more than the all ukulele version from 2002.
Calico Skies- I know I said before this song doesn’t work live, but I was dead wrong and I’ll admit it.
Live and Let Die- I’ve been a little tired of this song lately, but he renewed my love of it. The energy was so high during this song.
My Love- Now I’ve heard him dedicate this to Linda and sing it numerous times in recent years, but never has he seemed so saddened by the mention of her name. The look in his eyes almost made me cry. It was like he was deep in thought and remembering how much he missed her. His voice was incredible and emotion felt. It seemed like he was alone on stage singing it to her. I’ve never been so moved by this song.
The entire show was fantastic. Paul seemed hungry again. Like he wanted to prove something and wasn’t just out for a good time. I could easily imagine this was the Paul of the early Beatle or Wings days, when he wanted to conquer the world. This wasn’t an aging musician coming out of retirement to please his fans or ego; this was an artist hungry to prove something.
He talked about the first Beatle’s concert and that it was in DC before 8,000 screaming fans. He mentioned how they couldn’t hear what they were playing cause of all the screaming girls. This of course made all the girls (and some of the men) scream. He mentioned it again later just to get the creams and smiled saying he shouldn’t encourage it.
This was the first show I've seen of his that he barely touched the piano.This was a "Rockshow" all the way.
I don’t remember which song, but he couldn’t help but plug The Beatle’s Rockband during one song as the ad for it played in the background during one song. Plus ads for it were in the tour book.
As the band finished and walked off stage, Paul went to say something to the audience, but the mike was already turned off so I don’t know if anyone could hear him. Then the confetti exploded and the show was over.
Even though he played for roughly 2 ½ hours, it only seemed like minutes. I only hope I don’t have to wait another 4 years to experience it again.
It was nice to see all the young kids/ teenagers in the audience that didn’t seem like they were dragged there by their parents. They were just as into if not more so than most the adults. Its amazing how his music crosses so many generations and will obviously live on and remain popular even after he is gone.
The only bad thing I can say is that FedEx is a bad venue to go see a show at. It’s in the middle of nowhere next to a bad part of town. The venue staff is unfriendly and unorganized. The line I was in was moved twice because we were in the “wrong” spot despite what the signs said, only to find out we were in the right spot all along. The water broke and there were a lot of full toilets that couldn’t be flushed and hands that couldn’t be washed. The walk back to the metro (since buses were not allowed near the venue) took 40 minutes in some very humid nighttime weather.
But all this couldn’t ruin such a phenomenal experience. I would do it all over again. I’ll try to post some pics or links to them later. I took over 200, but only a few are actually worth sharing. I took some video too, that turned out good. If I can figure out how to upload them I will.
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