Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena - July 10th - CONFIRMED
-
Excellent thoughts sirloin, I forgot he also messed a verse on "We Can Work it Out" in my review, but he certainly did now that I remember it. Who you can share the experience with is such an important part of it for me...it's a joy that must be shared with others!
-
My son and I loved the show! It is remarkable that Paul is able to still put on these shows at age 75. Some of the subtleties and imperfections may be more noticeable watching a video than during the concert. The only song I felt he struggled with the vocals on was " Maybe I'm Amazed". But you know what, I am amazed at what he is still able to do and choose to focus on that.
-
Let it Be 66:
My son and I loved the show! It is remarkable that Paul is able to still put on these shows at age 75. Some of the subtleties and imperfections may be more noticeable watching a video than during the concert. The only song I felt he struggled with the vocals on was " Maybe I'm Amazed". But you know what, I am amazed at what he is still able to do and choose to focus on that.
It's absolutely remarkable! It is merely fair and healthy and in the best interest of our beloved Sir Paul to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. That's how we can best respect his art and the man himself. It does no one justice to pretend something isn't there. I have every intention of using the incredible seats I have for Madison Square Garden this fall and I have every intention of seeing him in 2018, God willing.
-
sirloin:
Fifth McCartney show for me, and I too really enjoyed myself! First of all, though, I too want to cover my criticisms first and get those out of the way. - The setlist was the weakest it's been at any of the shows I've attended. You have songs like Mr. Kite, which has way overstayed its welcome despite being among the most visually impressive of the night, and Temporary Secretary, which just hasn't been a good song ever. Also, Queenie Eye and New have not done much for me, but my wife liked those two, so what are you gonna do? I just miss the likes of Day Tripper, Paperback Writer, Got to Get You Into My Life, Drive My Car (a song I've sadly only ever heard live once), and I Saw Her Standing There for my heavy-hitters from the Beatles catalogue. The songs that replaced (most of) them didn't impress me nearly as much. - The apparent love for FourFiveSeconds. If anyone else at the show last night felt differently, please let me know, but I felt like it seemed to be a very popular tradition, much to the chagrin of curmudgeons like myself. - Nothing from Flowers in the Dirt. I hoped, hoped, and hoped some more for just ONE song from this album, but nope! My Brave Face would have been a beyond-perfect replacement for the overwhelmingly weak Temporary Secretary and carried the energy of the first four songs into a fifth. - Discontinuing my setlist criticism, I must point out that last night was the first time that I noticed his voice failing throughout the whole show. At the D.C. show in 2013, which was the most recent show of his I'd seen prior to last night, I felt like Maybe I'm Amazed was the only song where I really noticed a struggle. Last night, it was everywhere. Much of it is gone and likely won't ever come back. - The slip-ups. They just kept happening. One is forgiveable and possibly even amusing, but after the second or third, it becomes quite disappointing. During We Can Work It Out, either I just had a hard time making out what he was saying, or he kept forgetting lines. I Wanna Be Your Man endured a similar fate, and that one was blatantly noticeable. The whole second verse was a clear struggle to find lines to repeat that could replace the ones he'd noticeably forgotten. I've Got a Feeling had a false start to its little jam at the end. Band on the Run had issues. It was sloppy, and it's a serious momentum-killer, at least for me. With those out of the way, though, here were the highlights: - A Hard Day's Night as the opener. It seemed like his openers had a shelf life of a year or one leg of a tour, so when this got added as the opener a few years ago, I figured it would be gone by the time I got around to seeing him again. 'Twas not to be, though, and I'm as thrilled as thrilled can be that I got to hear one of my favorite songs ever to open a show. - The opening salvo of AHDN, Junior's Farm, Can't Buy Me Love, and Jet. If there's one thing the man knows how to do, it's deliver a killer opening run. I wasn't expecting Junior's Farm to make a comeback after it seemed to get dropped from the set over the past couple of years, I'd never heard CBML live, and I found myself missing Jet after its absence from the D.C. show I saw in 2013. JF is always fun, CBML is a great, uptempo hit with a lot of love amongst fans, and Jet, a sort of middle-of-the-road hit for me as far as the studio recording, is an absolute monster of a live song. - You Won't See Me and Love Me Do. I never much cared for these songs, but like Jet, they took on another life live. I was extremely impressed with both. - Live and Let Die, for obvious reasons. Bonus points issued for the hilarious look of shock on my wife's face who wasn't expecting it. It took her a moment to process it, and then she was clamoring for her phone to send a video to her best friend of the explosive greatness that was taking place. - Bringing fans up for Get Back. It was sweet, and talk about a story to tell your future kids and grandkids! - The live production inside of an arena. I'd never seen him indoors before, so it was a new experience for me from a production perspective. I felt like the arena afforded him some visual tricks that can't be done as easily outside. - The band. Those four are exceptional musicians through and through, and I like that they get to be lively and are given the chance to shine, and they got even more bonus points for handling the slip-ups like champs. They have spectacular musicianship. - The sound mixing. Things were very clear and easy to understand, and the volume was just perfect. This was especially nice after the downright uncomfortably loud volume of the U2 show I saw last month in the nearby football stadium actually took some of the enjoyment out of that show for me. - Having my wife there with me. I'd always wanted to share a McCartney concert experience with a significant other, and last night marked my first chance to do so. It made the whole thing much more special. All in all, it was another great concert, and as long as Sir Paul wishes to continue touring, I'm going to do my best to get there. I know I won't have that chance for much longer.
___________________________________________________________ Sirloin, Thank you for the very honest review. You and WixRocks are true and loyal Paul fans. As I have said many times, Paul is, by far and away, my favorite music artist. I love the guy. Living in the Tampa Bay area, it was fun talking to people (strangers) at my local Publix Supermarket (and other places) about our favorite guy. There was a great article and picture of Macca on the front page of the Tampa Times (the big paper here). All the talk was how someone at 75 can do close to a 3 hour performance. I would always start the conversations of course. I am very extroverted. That being said, I liked yours and Wixrocks objective status of Paul's current show. The main paper here all along has been pushing the nostalgia theme for Paul's concert and their very positive review basically continued that theme. They hardly pointed out any of Paul's 2017 deficiencies and that is all right by me. For people who have never seen Paul (or maybe once years ago) it was a dream come true. Hearing all those signature songs in person (even if his voice is obviously not what it once was) was I'm sure pure delight for the heavy boomer audience. I remember my first time hearing Let It Be, Hey Jude, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Lady Madonna etc.etc, in Philadelphia (1990). And he did those really good Flowers in the Dirt songs that were also new. I had so many of the songs that night ringing in my head even as I was trying to sleep. The setlist was amazing. I saw him again in 2002, 2005 and 2009-2010 and his setlist (Beatles, Wings and Solo) was still plenty fresh and at a high level. I do agree with you however (and as a veteran fan who has seen him like 10 times) this setlist is the least attractive for the serious fan compared to those past tours. Again it has very little to do with the signature songs (although from a pure vocal point of view, he should drop Maybe I'm Amazed...see more below). It has everything to do with the non-signature songs. Too many, in my opinion, inferior choices relative to his unbeatable Catalog. Even from strictly a Beatle song point of view, he is doing too many "lesser" Beatle and Solo songs and not doing truly great songs like...I Will, For No One, Two of Us, Penny Lane, Day in the Life. And I agree with you about 4-5 Seconds and Temporary Secretary. He has so many far superior Solo songs in his Catalog. As I have also said, I do wish that someone very "close" to Paul would tell him for his sake that he needs to part ways with Maybe I'm Amazed. I'm concerned about what he will continue to do to his voice. He has many more upcoming shows to do. I've Got a Feeling and 4-5 Seconds (non signature songs) should be dropped for the same reasons. Based on his heavy "boomer" audience who love Beatle songs, he needs to do a couple of more "sing-alongs" in his set. Look at the great response in Tampa towards Love Me Do and Ob La Di. I had mention this in the setlist thread, but he was given that opportunity on a "silver platter" on Monday night. The sign that Paul pointed out...."I'm 64 today" was a perfect gift for Paul and the band to do (even a snippet) of When I'm 64. I would think that Wix could the piano melody in his sleep. But Paul as the obvious leader needed to turn to Wix and ask him to do it. The crowd would have gone NUTS. Everyone knows the words and would have sung it. Should have been the best spontaneous moment of the show. Opportunity certainly lost but maybe later in the tour Paul will realize that he needs to lighten up on his vocal cords and like Love Me Do and Ob La Di, When I'm 64 would be a perfect choice. And it goes along with the 50th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper. All in all, the first (and even 2nd timers) are having the experience of a life time. I'm thrilled for them. Just hope that Paul's vocal cords can hold out for the rest of 2017.
-
forget 64:
MaccaBassman:
thenightfish:
oobu24:
thenightfish:
oobu24:
Did he ever do this before? During the show? I know he has people dancing onstage during soundcheck...sometimes.
I'm not scoping, what is happening, a fan onstage dancing? Yes I have seen that before during a show. There was that girl who did the crazy dancing during Get Back a while ago, and many years ago, a pair of well-known fans...
oh yeah...I remember the crazy dance. Yeah, someone was invited to dance because she had a Pepper jacket on. A mom & her son.
Ah, thanks. What song?
Get Back! I'm thinking he likes playing that song with fans
Never as good as the first time!
Dreams Come True!!
-
oobu24:
5th-beatle:
Brian is on twitter somehow, so I asked him to request Helen Wheels to the man. You can't blame a guy for trying, right?
try for Alligator or Appreciate.
He did play Alligator at the sound check!
-
The fan who joined Paul on stage is a veterinarian! Nice! Check out her lab coat! http://www.newschief.com/news/20170711/its-certainly-thrill-lakeland-veterinarian-son-invited-onstage-with-sir-paul-mccartney http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/paul-mccartney-kisses-lakeland-veterinarian
-
oobu24:
Did he ever do this before? During the show? I know he has people dancing onstage during soundcheck...sometimes.
No one was brought on stage during the sound check. It started late, maybe due to the weather so that it ended right at 6:30 when the public was set to enter the venue.
-
Any soundcheck setlist yet?
-
MaccaBassman:
any word on what was played at soundcheck?
I don't remember everything - Was busy dancing and being the only one holding up a sign. But he couldn't see it - he squinted and shaded his eyes but we were too far back I think. Maybe that is why no one else had a sign. I stood at the back of the group so that I wouldn't block anyone's view too. They jammed at first. Then what I remember (not in the right order) is Blue Suede Shoes, maybe Honey Don't, Alligator, Let 'em In, San Francisco Bay Blues, Midnight Special, Lady Madonna Story about getting a massage while "warming up" the magic piano.
-
A little late in coming, but what a GREAT show!!! Full disclosure: this was my first Paul concert since the last Miami show - way back in 2010's Up and Coming Tour. Even busted out the shirt I bought at that one and noticed that Miami was the 3rd listed date on the back just as Tampa was the third date on the back of this leg's shirt... 3 must be my lucky number Believe me, you certainly notice the nuisances of subtle set list changes even more after a 7-year absence So great to see him throw in include certain rarities before he switches them out (Temp Secy, In Spite of All the Danger, and any tracks off NEW, which probably will be dropped after the next album is out) and of course all the classic, iconic hits. McCartney concerts are truly like a religious experience and it was such an honor to be able to fit this one in. It's so obvious how much he truly shares in our enjoyment and sharing these moments with us fans and making sure we get the best value for our ticket prices. I'll admit I got pretty emotional during the show (quite a few times ) - it's just still so amazing to see the same guy who wrote the incredible songs you grew up with then leap on stage and perform them and throw in generous amounts of little backstories (even if they're old as time ). He really does manage to make being a room with thousands of strangers still feel intimate Also, it was nice to see him aknowledge the infamous fall from his last Tampa show in 2005
-
Dia:
Did anyone have VIP seats? How were they?
I had 3rd row center - almost all of my pics have the mic in front of Paul's face, so something to consider for the future - slightly to the side would be better for pics. I was lucky enough to get 3rd row center for Tampa 2005 when he fell into the pit. The big rising stage wasn't in front of the normal stage during those years, so everyone was so much closer. No one will ever be that close again! Was lucky enough too to get that seat for face value through ticket master! Now you have to shell out $1600 for the hot sound package to get that seat. But if you haven't had the opportunity to see him in the first few rows, I think it is definitely worth it - when he takes the stage everything else melts away and you are transported on a magical mystery tour!
-
liv4art:
oobu24:
5th-beatle:
Brian is on twitter somehow, so I asked him to request Helen Wheels to the man. You can't blame a guy for trying, right?
try for Alligator or Appreciate.
He did play Alligator at the sound check!
I hope you enjoyed yourself!
-
liv4art:
Dia:
Did anyone have VIP seats? How were they?
I had 3rd row center - almost all of my pics have the mic in front of Paul's face, so something to consider for the future - slightly to the side would be better for pics. I was lucky enough to get 3rd row center for Tampa 2005 when he fell into the pit. The big rising stage wasn't in front of the normal stage during those years, so everyone was so much closer. No one will ever be that close again! Was lucky enough too to get that seat for face value through ticket master! Now you have to shell out $1600 for the hot sound package to get that seat. But if you haven't had the opportunity to see him in the first few rows, I think it is definitely worth it - when he takes the stage everything else melts away and you are transported on a magical mystery tour!
Once in Chicago I had terrible seats that were with the soundcheck pkg. I was 2nd row but WAAAY off to Brian's side. Actually I was on the aisle. But boy I did get some nice pics without the mic in front of him...although I had to zoom in on all of them.
-
liv4art:
Dia:
Did anyone have VIP seats? How were they?
I had 3rd row center - almost all of my pics have the mic in front of Paul's face, so something to consider for the future - slightly to the side would be better for pics. I was lucky enough to get 3rd row center for Tampa 2005 when he fell into the pit. The big rising stage wasn't in front of the normal stage during those years, so everyone was so much closer. No one will ever be that close again! Was lucky enough too to get that seat for face value through ticket master! Now you have to shell out $1600 for the hot sound package to get that seat. But if you haven't had the opportunity to see him in the first few rows, I think it is definitely worth it - when he takes the stage everything else melts away and you are transported on a magical mystery tour!
Hey! I was there too with my wife, back in 2005. Third row center too! We must have been near each other! And yes, we were absolutely horrified when it happened. We were just saying to each other how lucky we were to finally see him that close and then poof! Thought he was dead..... talk about "Fixing a Hole". "You won't see me" Or "I'm down!" Glad you all enjoyed Tampa, we loved him Friday night in Miami!!!!
-
Steve:
liv4art:
Dia:
Did anyone have VIP seats? How were they?
I had 3rd row center - almost all of my pics have the mic in front of Paul's face, so something to consider for the future - slightly to the side would be better for pics. I was lucky enough to get 3rd row center for Tampa 2005 when he fell into the pit. The big rising stage wasn't in front of the normal stage during those years, so everyone was so much closer. No one will ever be that close again! Was lucky enough too to get that seat for face value through ticket master! Now you have to shell out $1600 for the hot sound package to get that seat. But if you haven't had the opportunity to see him in the first few rows, I think it is definitely worth it - when he takes the stage everything else melts away and you are transported on a magical mystery tour!
Hey! I was there too with my wife, back in 2005. Third row center too! We must have been near each other! And yes, we were absolutely horrified when it happened. We were just saying to each other how lucky we were to finally see him that close and then poof! Thought he was dead..... talk about "Fixing a Hole". "You won't see me" Or "I'm down!" Glad you all enjoyed Tampa, we loved him Friday night in Miami!!!!
It is awesome being up close, a Magical Mystery Tour sounds like a good way to put it. Once you are up their..., It's hard to go back, I can't. He is the only artist that I go out of my way to sit up close. As long as I'm in the building for other acts and I can hear the music I'm good.
-
liv4art:
MaccaBassman:
any word on what was played at soundcheck?
I don't remember everything - Was busy dancing and being the only one holding up a sign. But he couldn't see it - he squinted and shaded his eyes but we were too far back I think. Maybe that is why no one else had a sign. I stood at the back of the group so that I wouldn't block anyone's view too. They jammed at first. Then what I remember (not in the right order) is Blue Suede Shoes, maybe Honey Don't, Alligator, Let 'em In, San Francisco Bay Blues, Midnight Special, Lady Madonna Story about getting a massage while "warming up" the magic piano.
If your sign was on a yellow background I remember seeing it. I had one too, I was all the way to the left on the aisle. (Drive my Car? soundcheck or am I getting it mixed with Miami)
-
liv4art:
MaccaBassman:
any word on what was played at soundcheck?
I don't remember everything - Was busy dancing and being the only one holding up a sign. But he couldn't see it - he squinted and shaded his eyes but we were too far back I think. Maybe that is why no one else had a sign. I stood at the back of the group so that I wouldn't block anyone's view too. They jammed at first. Then what I remember (not in the right order) is Blue Suede Shoes, maybe Honey Don't, Alligator, Let 'em In, San Francisco Bay Blues, Midnight Special, Lady Madonna Story about getting a massage while "warming up" the magic piano.
-
forget 64:
liv4art:
MaccaBassman:
any word on what was played at soundcheck?
I don't remember everything - Was busy dancing and being the only one holding up a sign. But he couldn't see it - he squinted and shaded his eyes but we were too far back I think. Maybe that is why no one else had a sign. I stood at the back of the group so that I wouldn't block anyone's view too. They jammed at first. Then what I remember (not in the right order) is Blue Suede Shoes, maybe Honey Don't, Alligator, Let 'em In, San Francisco Bay Blues, Midnight Special, Lady Madonna Story about getting a massage while "warming up" the magic piano.
If your sign was on a yellow background I remember seeing it. I had one too, I was all the way to the left on the aisle. (Drive my Car? soundcheck or am I getting it mixed with Miami)
Yep, that was me with the bright yellow sign! I was thinking of Drive My Car, then wondering if I was mixing it up from another tour.
-
forget 64:
Steve:
liv4art:
Dia:
Did anyone have VIP seats? How were they?
I had 3rd row center - almost all of my pics have the mic in front of Paul's face, so something to consider for the future - slightly to the side would be better for pics. I was lucky enough to get 3rd row center for Tampa 2005 when he fell into the pit. The big rising stage wasn't in front of the normal stage during those years, so everyone was so much closer. No one will ever be that close again! Was lucky enough too to get that seat for face value through ticket master! Now you have to shell out $1600 for the hot sound package to get that seat. But if you haven't had the opportunity to see him in the first few rows, I think it is definitely worth it - when he takes the stage everything else melts away and you are transported on a magical mystery tour!
Hey! I was there too with my wife, back in 2005. Third row center too! We must have been near each other! And yes, we were absolutely horrified when it happened. We were just saying to each other how lucky we were to finally see him that close and then poof! Thought he was dead..... talk about "Fixing a Hole". "You won't see me" Or "I'm down!" Glad you all enjoyed Tampa, we loved him Friday night in Miami!!!!
It is awesome being up close, a Magical Mystery Tour sounds like a good way to put it. Once you are up their..., It's hard to go back, I can't. He is the only artist that I go out of my way to sit up close. As long as I'm in the building for other acts and I can hear the music I'm good.
I agree - hard to go back. I was on the field but in the second section back for Wrigley Field in 2011 - a very different experience as all of the people trying to sneak into the forward section were pretty distracting!