Salt Lake City, UT- Energy Sol. Arena, 8/7/14 - ARCHIVE
-
eric in boise:
harleyblues:
briefly met the guy who has his NEW Album signed he was so happy
He still IS happy, believe me! Here's the full story for anyone with a desire for excruciating detail: Both Tuesday (Missoula) & Thursday (SLC), I'd wound up with 3rd row seats just to the right of the stage, on Brian Ray's side for face value ($250). I'd made up my mind that the best possible way to get Paul's attention would be to bring an LP of "New". Pepper & Abbey Road and _______ must show up by the dozens at his shows, but how many times has Paul even seen a fan with a "New" album ... ON LP! I figured security wouldn't let me in with it, but if I got in with it, they weren't gonna kick me out. So I wore an oversize old black ("new world") t-shirt, brought the sleeve only (in tight plastic bag) and put it on my back under the shirt (I'm about 5'10"). If you were looking closely, you could see the corners, but if I stretched out my shoulders it ALMOST looked normal. Anyway, that worked to get in to the shows both nights. Missoula found me to the right of Brian, because the outdoor stage was quite large. SLC found me almost directly in front of Brian, but from Paul's view, I was in virtually the same spot each night. The $1500 soundcheck seats were IMMEDIATELY to my left. I made up my mind in advance that I didn't want to be obnoxious and wave the thing constantly. I figured with four "new" songs each show, I could hold it up periodically during those and not bother the people behind me too much. And that's what I did. In Missoula during Save Us, Paul definitely caught sight of my LP and did sort of a double-take (surprised!) and then gave me a smile/wink. That was very cool. I did the same thing for the other 3 "New" songs, and I may have held it up once or twice more when Paul came over to our area of the stage, but I never got another overt acknowledgement of my LP. Didn't matter. Missoula is a town of about 75,000 people so when 25,000 showed up to see the biggest ever concert in the history of the state, I can tell you it was a pretty good time. My 15th show since 1989 and I thought Paul looked better and sounded better than more recent shows I've been to. On to night #2 in SLC (after a detour through Yellowstone on the day off). I think I just missed Paul's arrival at the stadium by minutes, but I did stick my ear to the glass and hear Flaming Pie, Jet, Jr's Farm, C Moon, Every Night, Things We Said Today & Lady Madonna clearly enough - I missed a couple songs due to extraneous noise. Same M.O. as show #1. Hold up LP during the new songs. He definitely didn't see it during Save Us on night 2. After New, he mentioned that was from his latest disc so I held it up again and that caught his eye. He definitely spotted it during Queenie Eye and I believe during Everybody Out There, as well. At one point he looked right at it and nodded his head with approval making me (and those around me) pretty happy. Anyway, I think I held it up once more when he came by our side of the stage and I think he may have motioned down to it approvingly. But there was ZERO chance of tossing it onstage - even at row 3 it would have been tough. So I gave up the idea. "And in the end ... see 'ya next time ... confetti". Great concert. Paul's security guy gets a dozen roses from someone and hands them to Paul, he raises them up, smells them and starts to exit on Rusty's side. Then Paul's security guy - the same guy seen behind the Missoula mama/daughter tattoo team in the youtube vid - hands Paul a couple LPs on Rusty's side of the stage. I turn to the people next to me and say, "Oh SURE, he signs THEIR lp, but not mine". Paul grabs the lps, then turns back towards the other side of the stage, scanning the audience. I reach down, pick up my LP one last time, and Paul says something (probably "get that guy's album!") to the big burly dude and points directly at me. He scoots down the barrier on the other side of the front row and comes to me. I hand the LP to someone in row 1 or 2 who hands it to the guy and off he goes. Bring out the smelling salts, because I can't believe it - 30+ years of collecting/following Paul and he MADE A POINT TO LOOK BACK , FIND ME, and SIGN MY DISC. Un-****ing-believable. I'd had as good a plan as I could think of. THAT album. Feeling like a fool wearing it in on my back both nights. Waiting for just the right moments to try to get Paul's attention and - honestly - not trying to be obnoxious with my LP. As I told a good friend later that night, while still trying to wind down at 2:30am, "It worked". And I can't believe it did. http://i.imgur.com/FaSfhlil.jpg
Awesome, great story !!
-
Too cool. Great story, Eric.
-
So great reading this!
-
Thanks for sharing your story, Eric.
-
DrivinFan:
harleyblues:
hey ppl long Sound check-- I thought -- he did the liverpool song lyrics Oh Me Oh My---- he joked alot.... I was 3rd row dead center twice Paul was trying to read my sign, he put his hand to his head and tried to read it... they put the sign on the big screens... I can't read it he said I'm far sided we were screaming the bluebird the crowd was wild!!! one of the best crowds ever!! Paul joked a lot an even embellished on his stories... before the gig I saw Paul's body guard... he handed me a piece of paper it was the setlist God that show was excellant!!!! he signed albums too..... briefly met the guy who has his NEW Album signed he was so happy
Glad to hear everything worked out OK...besides "Leaning On A Lampost", what else was played at soundcheck...thanks.
-
^ yeah but Drivin Fan asked what else was played at soundcheck?
-
Don't remember the entire list, plus someone wanted me to post the setlist...
-
yankeefan7:
DrivinFan:
Concert review and photos: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/58273531-223/mccartney-audience-song-paul.html.csp
I don't know if it is sad or funny but I could have written the same review without seeing the show. There were no changes to the set list he has been using lately and I know the same tribute stories he told. Heck, He always uses that he has a feeling we are going to have a party tonight line all the time also.
I think it's sad. It makes me sad.
-
maccascruff:
yankeefan7:
DrivinFan:
Concert review and photos: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/58273531-223/mccartney-audience-song-paul.html.csp
I don't know if it is sad or funny but I could have written the same review without seeing the show. There were no changes to the set list he has been using lately and I know the same tribute stories he told. Heck, He always uses that he has a feeling we are going to have a party tonight line all the time also.
I think it's sad. It makes me sad.
I don't think it's sad at all. I first saw this show last year in Austin, TX and it was all new to me, every word and I loved it, thrilled beyond belief. Maybe you guys have just seen him too many times, you're spoiled!!! I saw him again last week in Salt Lake City, and yes same banter and mostly same set list with addition of the NEW songs which weren't released yet last May. But, to me, it was still a thrill to see him and his band in the flesh and performing live. I could definitely do this once a year, even with just minor set list changes. I look at it as kind of like going to a Broadway play, not going to hear a bar band or festival somewhere. It's a huge production and a great show. It's not going to last forever. One day he will be gone.
-
This was my 5th Paul show and ranked it as his best performance. He was in total command of the audience all night and the energy in the arena was something to see and hear. My wife and I saw Paul arrive at the stadium at about 5:30 pm. We were at middle court, first row, off the floor. Paul's performance was stunning and the new (New) songs sounded great along song the iconic songs. Remarkable
-
I've been to a few of Mr. McCartney concerts. I agree with you guys. I would love to hear the songs he doesn't play I want to hear, so I get it, but to me it's like listening to albums (CD's etc.) over and over. I've heard them before but I want to hear them again so I keep playing them and I keep going to McCartney concerts. To each his own!
-
OK I feel Fargo & Salt Lake has been the vest so far... honored tho to hav been at Candlestick
-
harleyblues:
OK I feel Fargo & Salt Lake has been the vest so far... honored tho to hav been at Candlestick
Harley, serious? you thought SLC as better than Candlestick? how come? I believe you, I just want details! what makes you say this?!!
-
sunspark:
harleyblues:
OK I feel Fargo & Salt Lake has been the vest so far... honored tho to hav been at Candlestick
Harley, serious? you thought SLC as better than Candlestick? how come? I believe you, I just want details! what makes you say this?!!
Yes I did love the stadium feel of course.... in Fargo n salt lakeit was electrifying... the crowd loved Paul n Paul loved the crowd.... I must say tho,... saw her standing there n long tall sally was tops actually I kept yelling it out at sound check,.... than he did it.. I'm happy to have been there... there were a few frustrating things that happened...... But I felt macca into the crowds more in those 2 other cities...... Salt lake & Fargo.... Loudloudfans . full of happiness,.