Columbia, SC - Colonial Life Arena - June 25, 2015 - ARCHIVE
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RADIANCE:
I'm just trying to save for my wedding. And a house. I was offered a 6th row seat and I had to turn it down. Now I'm sad. I should have taken it but I just don't have $250 to spare right now. ops:
Those are good reasons!
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I guess so. Still doesn't help the fact that I REALLY want to go though. Ha!
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it may not help but there are a lot of full recent concerts on youtube. not the same...but you can always do the limo watch.
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Thought this could help with parking. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YfQRzxe2Jzhnr2xRnYyEIVs9VPC5ygpkjLmOfF0r=w1040-h666-no
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Parking garage across the street from the arena is open $20 enter on Park Street side across from the South Carolina music school. Have to park on the fifth level and above but at least you'll be out of the sun. It is 100° here. Even sitting in the garage out of the sun it's still very toasty. $20 is about average in other cities. That is what we paid in Philly a few days ago right on sports complex property. They even had portalets in parking lot. Philly knows how to handle large crowd unlike Charlottesville. What a boondoggle it was getting to JPJ. At yankee stadium a few years ago it was $42!
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At least two people got brought on stage: Rick Glover (you guys may have heard of him), and a young girl, Cameron.
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Eight Days a Week Save Us Got to Get You Into My Life One After 909 Temporary Secretary Let Me Roll It Paperback Writer My Valentine 1985 Long and Winding Road (Charleston) Maybe I'm Amazed I've just seen a face We can work it out Another day Hope for the future And I love her Blackbird Here today New Queenie Eye Lady Madonna All Together Now Lovely Rita Eleanor Rigby Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! Something Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Band on the Run Back in the U.S.S.R. Let It Be Live and Let Die Hey Jude Another Girl Hi, Hi, Hi Can't Buy Me Love Yesterday Helter Skelter Golden Slumbers The End To my knowledge, same as Charlottesville. L&WR was dedicated to the Charleston Victims.
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Interesting that he did One After 909 again.
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I just arrived home. I live in Myrtle Beach, around 2.5 hours northeast of Columbia. For starters, I had fears of being late for the show. I went with my father (he drove) yet he was very late in meeting me, so we didn't get going until about 5, cutting it very close. We may or may not have sped down I-20 to Columbia, and arrived and parked a little after 7:30. Thankfully, my father is a former state legislator of 18 years so he knew the city like the back of his hand as well as which garage to go to and which streets to take to avoid traffic. My father bought extra ticket's for his brother and wife, but they had to cancel at the last minute so we staggered outside the venue trying to sell them. As showtime neared, we had no takers and were forced to surrender to whatever someone offered us and struck out on those. Nonetheless, it was about 8:09 as we were finally making our way inside the venue and through the gate. Literally ALL of the foot traffic was coming from the north due to all of the restaurants and bars on Gervais St. All of the security led everyone from this direction to the two closest entrances, both secondary entrances, thus creating long lines for people waiting to get in. We decided to walk only a few feet towards the South and primary entrance to find absolutely no line getting in. Immediately as I got inside, I found a T-Shirt vendor and as I was handing her the cash, I hear the music from the arena suddenly halt, the audience erupted, and I heard "Aaaannnddd Innn the Ennnnddddd" and knew it was time to rush to our seats. We started trailing down the stairs of section 113 to find row 8, arriving only a mere seconds into "Eight Days a Week." I didn't really mind missing that one because I had heard it 3 times before within the last few years. It was my first show since the Greensboro closer last year, and my father's first show since the National's Park concert in Washington, DC, a little less than two years ago. He had not heard all of the 'New' material live and was delighted by the energetic pace of "Save Us" even though he preferred "Junior's Farm" holding that spot in the setlist, and I agreed. He much rather prefers older Wings tunes to anything post 2000. "Got to Get You Into My Life" was a first time for both of us, which is always great to hear. It is one of those songs where McCartney sounds good on the high notes only because there aren't many high notes. "One After 909" was probably my favorite part of the evening because it was a first for both me and my father, and that song is particularly one of my favorite Beatles songs. I can't speak for my father, yet I am led to believe that Let It Be is his favorite Beatles album. I could be wrong. "Temporary Secretary was up next, and I think my father and I took pride in the fact that we were the only two people in the entire audience who knew the words. I looked around me and everyone was sitting and looking very confused. No one seemed to have recognized it. If McCartney did not introduce the song, I feel like people would have confused it for a newer song and passed it off as an excuse for McCartney to try to stay hip with techno and EDM and things of that nature. I kind of enjoy the fact that McCartney has the balls to play that song, because it is merely only because he wants to. No casual fan wants to hear that song because they would rather hear something like "Silly Love Songs" and very few diehard fans want to hear that song because they would also want to hear "Silly Love Songs" or better deep cuts. Next was the standard "Let Me Roll It" then the Hendrix story and "Paperback Writer" followed by everyone's favorite bathroom break song, "My Valentine". Once again, there are more songs with larger appeal for piano than this song that more people would resonate to, like "Let 'Em In". I love "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" because it is enough of a hit to make the casual listeners lock into the groove, and just enough of a cut compared to the rest of the setlist to satisfy the diehard fans. It is not an in your face hit but it is not something that only two people in the place know the words to. It is also great for both the ultra casual listeners and the children and teens in the audience most likely hearing it for the first time because it is an easy song to become attracted to. Prior to "The Long and Winding Road" came the most prominent moment of the evening. This was an audience still mourning in the wake of the tragedy in Charleston last week, looking for an escape from the heartfelt grief through the sheer joy that only McCartney's catalog can bring. He sat at the piano and dedicated the song to those nine innocent victims from last week and said "We pray that people of all colors will be able to live in peace and harmony." This garnished the largest ovation I have ever seen at a McCartney show, and I was at Bonnaroo. He could not have said it any better. He touched on tragedy and provided solidarity towards the future without becoming too political in a state that is waging an internal war of race relations. He knew how to be respectful without conjuring up any harsh emotions in a time of heated debate and social conflict. "The Long and Winding Road" in dedication to those nine beautiful souls was especially difficult for my father to be able to collect on. As I mentioned before, my father is a former state representative for South Carolina. He and the slain Clementa Pinckney both served their first day in the House of Representatives in 1996 together. They were good colleagues, not too close to each other but more than just acquaintances. I noticed my father's face during the song and while he fully kept composure, there was still the sign of grief. In an audience of thousands shocked by the heartbreaking loss, my father was one of few in the building who could take it personally. He was truly grateful of McCartney's well wishing to provide that little glimmer of home to come for people of all backgrounds in the current face of troubles, the same way he did such for those nine teenagers in Little Rock, Arkansas. Providing beauty and art as relief from sadness and tribulations is the reason why McCartney exists on this planet. With that being said, "Maybe I'm Amazed" is probably his most beautiful work post-Beatles, but abilities with it are fading away. It is sad though. I really love the song and I wish he could perform it to its full potential to honor Linda. I believe he feels the same way. With the recent criticism lately of his voice during this song, I noticed that the vocals were brought down in the mix on this song compared to both earlier in the show and all of the times prior I had heard him perform this. After most of the audience had been sitting or slow dancing to that poignant tribute to Linda McCartney, the opening acoustic guitar notes of "I've Just Seen a Face" caused the audience to shoot up immediately out of their seats. I have always been surprised by this one because it is an audience favorite by far, showing amazing reception each and every time I have seen him perform the song. I never though it was that prominent of a Beatles song to gain that type of reception. The same could be said about "We Can Work it Out" even though I prefer the latter more. Also, during these past two songs, a new prop flew down from the ceiling, and I could not figure it's purpose whatsoever. I was on the side so I didn't have the best view, but they appeared to look like roofing shingles. I don't know what they did or why they were there, but they were there. Those props were not present on any of the other four shows I had seen on this tour. "Another Day" is in the same category of material that I designated to "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" earlier. Both are well known just enough to be pleasurable to casual listeners, and rare enough to satisfy die hards, and a good song to hear for any young first timers. It is that chronological introduction to McCartney's catalog after one has already swept through the Beatles' material. Personally, tonight was my first time hearing "Hope for the Future" all together. I hadn't ever heard the recording. I was not alone in this. Once again, I look to the audience and they appear confused. I look over at my father, and he has a puzzled look on his face. He says in my ear "I think I've heard this song before." I reply "Let me guess. Was it playing in the background when you logged onto PaulMcCartney.com?" "YES!!" I myself always muted that song whenever I went on the website. The crowd is what I like to call the "AARP Crowd." Hope for the Future was made for everyone but the AARP Crowd. First of all, it was released for a video game. Second, his entire way of promotion for the song back in December catered to that younger audience that actually plays video games. He did podcasts and web interviews as a way of pushing the single, as opposed to TV spots, physical advertising, and airplay. I feel for this show, the song didn't fit, but for shows like Firefly and Lollapalooza this year, it would do well. "And I Love Her" is starting to grow old on me. My first show was Charlotte in 2010, and that was the year he introduced that song back into his setlist since the 90's. It doesn't really appeal to the casual fan, it is not the better of songs that McCartney could perform from 'A Hard Day's Night' (cough cough "Things We Said Today") and it isn't catchy enough for the younger first time listeners. "Blackbird" is always a beautiful piece. That one will never cease to strike emotions in those who have never heard it live before, and those who have heard it 135 times live before. It shows just what pure art one single man by himself can make. "Here Today" is a song that when explained, always draws that simultaneous "Awh" from the crowd. It shows McCartney with even more vulnerability than when he pays tribute to his late wife. It is the one moment in the show where McCartney absolutely needs love from the audience to be able to survive in the song. He without all those people, he wouldn't make it. I noted that "Save Us" was a really good song to have live, especially when compared to the original. The exact same could be said for "New" and "Queenie Eye." These two are where the tables are turned a little bit. These are the songs that the young crowd has more familiarity than the AARP crowd, but that didn't stop the retirees from enjoying it. Early within each song, McCartney had most of the people, young and old, off of their feet. Something that the producers of 'New' did not captivate on is McCartney's raw sense of groove. I think the whole album is overproduced because I don't enjoy the songs as they stand on record, but I love hearing them live. This is to be said of the entire album. I think McCartney should have just recored the songs as they are and used minimal production, the same approach to a live performance. Thankfully, these live performances in my opinion are the only things that get people interested in the 'New' material. I'm also glad he dropped "Everybody Out There" because it didn't have the energy that the other 'New' songs in the set do. "Lady Madonna" is fun to listen to because McCartney obviously loves playing that song. He has so much fun when performing that and it is one of those classic Beatles tunes that everyone on the planet knows. As much as I prefer to have "All Together Now" out of the setlist, I do think the gesture of making it for the children in very kind. I saw a few young children in the audience that were enjoying it. One in particular was a few rows ahead of me. He looked to be about 3 or 4 and he was being held in his mother's arms. The kid had a mohawk. Only at a McCartney concert. I said to myself that he has got to be the coolest pre-schooler on the planet right now. "Lovely Rita" holds just as much whimsicality of the song prior, yet with a larger degree of musical sophistication. Seriously, just listen to the isolated bass and you will wonder how he is able to sing and play that at the same time. All I'm going to say about "Eleanor Rigby" is that I'm tired of it. Either perform it with an actual string section or play something like "For No One" instead. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" has the same qualities of "Lovely Rita" in the sense that both can convey total whimsicality with musical expertise. Once again, listen to the isolated bass for this song too and question how he plays that and sings melody at once. Also, huge props to Wix on this one. I don't know how he does it. The only problem with this song is that it doesn't have the major factor that keeps the song interesting. I mean, the production team had to fill in half of the song with huge laser and lighting pieces just to keep the audience interested. This one gets old after a few times. "Something" is a cute song on ukulele, and a good mix between a rocker and a slow romantic song when it is electric. I like this arrangement better than the full ukulele version of last decade, but I do prefer many other Harrison songs that McCartney could do and has done. "All Things Must Pass" is my favorite example of such, but I feel like "Something" is the only certifiable guarantee for McCartney's current vocal state. I remember in 2010 when "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" was new to the setlist. This was one of the greatest late additions to the setlist that he has ever put in. The audience loves it so much. They just eat right out of Paul's hand, and he loves it. It is just so catchy! "Band on the Run" is the biggest Wings hit in the setlist. It is hard to complain with this one. the song itself is flawless and the performance is still good quality after 42 years. I just wish it were further in the setlist. I like it's set closing status on 'Wings Over America' because I feel this song has some of the most gusto of any McCartney piece. I never thought "Back In the U.S.S.R." was that big of Beatles song to have such a high status in the setlist. I think it is a notable song most definitely, but still not the best choice for the spot. I think it has only been kept in the set all of this time for the Russia banter. To me "Let It Be" is near flawless. The only problem with tonight's performance was that Rusty flubbed the guitar solo somewhat. I feel this song should be in the setlist forever and it has the perfect spot. My favorite part about "Live and Let Die" is that is shows you who has seen McCartney before, and who hasn't. Even though I know it is coming, I always get nervous about that pyro hit. It doesn't startle me, but it does cause me to shake for a few minutes. I'm surprised the pyro is that powerful. With it being the AARP crowd, I'm surprised no one has died of a heart attack or gone deaf at his concerts. "Hey Jude" was played to a smoke filled room. The stage was hardly visible, but the music still rang through the room. As much as I hate to say this, "Hey Jude" does get old at times. I think it is because he drags the sing along out into unnecessarily long portions. A few rounds and call it a day. I would rather be craving a few more chances to sing it than become tired of such. McCartney makes his way offstage for a moment, and I look around the arena and scoff at those few but noticeable groups that are leaving early. They assume he'll just do "Yesterday" and that is it. McCartney came back on wielding the American flag, thus causing the only true agreement over a flag in the state at that moment. His one and only encore this time opened with "Another Girl." It's a good tune from 'Help!' but it doesn't hold the power that many other songs do. I don't think it deserves this critical of a spot in the set. I would like to see it switch with "One After 909." Last time I saw McCartney in Greensboro, he skipped out on "Hi, Hi, Hi." Even though it doesn't appeal to the masses, this is a good song for the casual listener to at least move to and it allows the diehards to go nuts. Good move bringing it into the setlist when promoting 'Wings Over America.' "Can't Buy Me Love" was great because it is such a huge Beatles song, but its live absence over the years made it feel like a rarity for everyone there. Now, it was time for signs! McCartney brought up Rick Glover to celebrate Rick's 135th show. He presented McCartney with a Fans On the Run banner. Next was an adorably shy teenage girl from North Carolina. Her sign said that this show was three years worth of babysitting money. Sadly, we did not get to relive the joy of McCartney's favorite sign from the evening, one that read just the word "Foot." "Yesterday" is McCartney's finest piece, and I feel bad for him because he can never capture the musical essence of it live. The song needs live strings, and though Wix tries, it still sounds fake. I was one of the lucky ones who did hear the song with live strings via the Kronos Quartet at Outside Lands. After that one, there is no going back. That is my favorite performance of "Yesterday." "Helter Skelter" is an odd choice for the penultimate slot. It holds far to much energy late in the set at a time when everything needs to wind down. Even if the vocals don't hold much, the musical power still exceeds everyone's expectations of how hard McCartney can rock. Maybe just move this one to an encore opener. We have reached the end of an amazing night. "Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight/The End" is a great way to close the show. Though there are better ways, this one is the best that displays a level of upbeat positivity that stays with you until long after the show. The confetti falls and we rush up the stairs. We left our seats right as the song ended and beat the mad dash to the parking garages. We made it out without traffic or incident. We got in the car, went to cookout, drove 2.5 hours home, and arrived in Myrtle Beach around 2 AM Some general things I noticed: The stage was pushed literally as far back as possible. Though this is a average capacity arena, the size was quite small. The screens were all the way against the back wall. usually, there is space behind the stage and screens for equipment, but not this time. The floor was also very narrow. The stage itself was wider than the floor (probably why it was pushed back so far.) The front row was where the edge of the stage (not the platform) usually stands and should be. The show had apparently sold out a mere hours before showtime. McCartney's vocals held up throughout the show and I hope he is able to rest them before the European leg. McCartney said this was the last show of the American leg of the tour, and I guess he is excluding Lollapalooza from the tour because it will be a condensed setlist and stage set. So based on that alone, I guess this is the end of Out There for North America! I hope we all can see him next time with some big changes.
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Instedad of "Maybe I'm amazed" Paul should play "Warm and Beautiful" like tribute to Linda!
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pierceedge:
I just arrived home. I live in Myrtle Beach, around 2.5 hours northeast of Columbia. For starters, I had fears of being late for the show. I went with my father (he drove) yet he was very late in meeting me, so we didn't get going until about 5, cutting it very close. We may or may not have sped down I-20 to Columbia, and arrived and parked a little after 7:30. Thankfully, my father is a former state legislator of 18 years so he knew the city like the back of his hand as well as which garage to go to and which streets to take to avoid traffic. My father bought extra ticket's for his brother and wife, but they had to cancel at the last minute so we staggered outside the venue trying to sell them. As showtime neared, we had no takers and were forced to surrender to whatever someone offered us and struck out on those. Nonetheless, it was about 8:09 as we were finally making our way inside the venue and through the gate. Literally ALL of the foot traffic was coming from the north due to all of the restaurants and bars on Gervais St. All of the security led everyone from this direction to the two closest entrances, both secondary entrances, thus creating long lines for people waiting to get in. We decided to walk only a few feet towards the South and primary entrance to find absolutely no line getting in. Immediately as I got inside, I found a T-Shirt vendor and as I was handing her the cash, I hear the music from the arena suddenly halt, the audience erupted, and I heard "Aaaannnddd Innn the Ennnnddddd" and knew it was time to rush to our seats. We started trailing down the stairs of section 113 to find row 8, arriving only a mere seconds into "Eight Days a Week." I didn't really mind missing that one because I had heard it 3 times before within the last few years. It was my first show since the Greensboro closer last year, and my father's first show since the National's Park concert in Washington, DC, a little less than two years ago. He had not heard all of the 'New' material live and was delighted by the energetic pace of "Save Us" even though he preferred "Junior's Farm" holding that spot in the setlist, and I agreed. He much rather prefers older Wings tunes to anything post 2000. "Got to Get You Into My Life" was a first time for both of us, which is always great to hear. It is one of those songs where McCartney sounds good on the high notes only because there aren't many high notes. "One After 909" was probably my favorite part of the evening because it was a first for both me and my father, and that song is particularly one of my favorite Beatles songs. I can't speak for my father, yet I am led to believe that Let It Be is his favorite Beatles album. I could be wrong. "Temporary Secretary was up next, and I think my father and I took pride in the fact that we were the only two people in the entire audience who knew the words. I looked around me and everyone was sitting and looking very confused. No one seemed to have recognized it. If McCartney did not introduce the song, I feel like people would have confused it for a newer song and passed it off as an excuse for McCartney to try to stay hip with techno and EDM and things of that nature. I kind of enjoy the fact that McCartney has the balls to play that song, because it is merely only because he wants to. No casual fan wants to hear that song because they would rather hear something like "Silly Love Songs" and very few diehard fans want to hear that song because they would also want to hear "Silly Love Songs" or better deep cuts. Next was the standard "Let Me Roll It" then the Hendrix story and "Paperback Writer" followed by everyone's favorite bathroom break song, "My Valentine". Once again, there are more songs with larger appeal for piano than this song that more people would resonate to, like "Let 'Em In". I love "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" because it is enough of a hit to make the casual listeners lock into the groove, and just enough of a cut compared to the rest of the setlist to satisfy the diehard fans. It is not an in your face hit but it is not something that only two people in the place know the words to. It is also great for both the ultra casual listeners and the children and teens in the audience most likely hearing it for the first time because it is an easy song to become attracted to. Prior to "The Long and Winding Road" came the most prominent moment of the evening. This was an audience still mourning in the wake of the tragedy in Charleston last week, looking for an escape from the heartfelt grief through the sheer joy that only McCartney's catalog can bring. He sat at the piano and dedicated the song to those nine innocent victims from last week and said "We pray that people of all colors will be able to live in peace and harmony." This garnished the largest ovation I have ever seen at a McCartney show, and I was at Bonnaroo. He could not have said it any better. He touched on tragedy and provided solidarity towards the future without becoming too political in a state that is waging an internal war of race relations. He knew how to be respectful without conjuring up any harsh emotions in a time of heated debate and social conflict. "The Long and Winding Road" in dedication to those nine beautiful souls was especially difficult for my father to be able to collect on. As I mentioned before, my father is a former state representative for South Carolina. He and the slain Clementa Pinckney both served their first day in the House of Representatives in 1996 together. They were good colleagues, not too close to each other but more than just acquaintances. I noticed my father's face during the song and while he fully kept composure, there was still the sign of grief. In an audience of thousands shocked by the heartbreaking loss, my father was one of few in the building who could take it personally. He was truly grateful of McCartney's well wishing to provide that little glimmer of home to come for people of all backgrounds in the current face of troubles, the same way he did such for those nine teenagers in Little Rock, Arkansas. Providing beauty and art as relief from sadness and tribulations is the reason why McCartney exists on this planet. With that being said, "Maybe I'm Amazed" is probably his most beautiful work post-Beatles, but abilities with it are fading away. It is sad though. I really love the song and I wish he could perform it to its full potential to honor Linda. I believe he feels the same way. With the recent criticism lately of his voice during this song, I noticed that the vocals were brought down in the mix on this song compared to both earlier in the show and all of the times prior I had heard him perform this. After most of the audience had been sitting or slow dancing to that poignant tribute to Linda McCartney, the opening acoustic guitar notes of "I've Just Seen a Face" caused the audience to shoot up immediately out of their seats. I have always been surprised by this one because it is an audience favorite by far, showing amazing reception each and every time I have seen him perform the song. I never though it was that prominent of a Beatles song to gain that type of reception. The same could be said about "We Can Work it Out" even though I prefer the latter more. Also, during these past two songs, a new prop flew down from the ceiling, and I could not figure it's purpose whatsoever. I was on the side so I didn't have the best view, but they appeared to look like roofing shingles. I don't know what they did or why they were there, but they were there. Those props were not present on any of the other four shows I had seen on this tour. "Another Day" is in the same category of material that I designated to "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" earlier. Both are well known just enough to be pleasurable to casual listeners, and rare enough to satisfy die hards, and a good song to hear for any young first timers. It is that chronological introduction to McCartney's catalog after one has already swept through the Beatles' material. Personally, tonight was my first time hearing "Hope for the Future" all together. I hadn't ever heard the recording. I was not alone in this. Once again, I look to the audience and they appear confused. I look over at my father, and he has a puzzled look on his face. He says in my ear "I think I've heard this song before." I reply "Let me guess. Was it playing in the background when you logged onto PaulMcCartney.com?" "YES!!" I myself always muted that song whenever I went on the website. The crowd is what I like to call the "AARP Crowd." Hope for the Future was made for everyone but the AARP Crowd. First of all, it was released for a video game. Second, his entire way of promotion for the song back in December catered to that younger audience that actually plays video games. He did podcasts and web interviews as a way of pushing the single, as opposed to TV spots, physical advertising, and airplay. I feel for this show, the song didn't fit, but for shows like Firefly and Lollapalooza this year, it would do well. "And I Love Her" is starting to grow old on me. My first show was Charlotte in 2010, and that was the year he introduced that song back into his setlist since the 90's. It doesn't really appeal to the casual fan, it is not the better of songs that McCartney could perform from 'A Hard Day's Night' (cough cough "Things We Said Today") and it isn't catchy enough for the younger first time listeners. "Blackbird" is always a beautiful piece. That one will never cease to strike emotions in those who have never heard it live before, and those who have heard it 135 times live before. It shows just what pure art one single man by himself can make. "Here Today" is a song that when explained, always draws that simultaneous "Awh" from the crowd. It shows McCartney with even more vulnerability than when he pays tribute to his late wife. It is the one moment in the show where McCartney absolutely needs love from the audience to be able to survive in the song. He without all those people, he wouldn't make it. I noted that "Save Us" was a really good song to have live, especially when compared to the original. The exact same could be said for "New" and "Queenie Eye." These two are where the tables are turned a little bit. These are the songs that the young crowd has more familiarity than the AARP crowd, but that didn't stop the retirees from enjoying it. Early within each song, McCartney had most of the people, young and old, off of their feet. Something that the producers of 'New' did not captivate on is McCartney's raw sense of groove. I think the whole album is overproduced because I don't enjoy the songs as they stand on record, but I love hearing them live. This is to be said of the entire album. I think McCartney should have just recored the songs as they are and used minimal production, the same approach to a live performance. Thankfully, these live performances in my opinion are the only things that get people interested in the 'New' material. I'm also glad he dropped "Everybody Out There" because it didn't have the energy that the other 'New' songs in the set do. "Lady Madonna" is fun to listen to because McCartney obviously loves playing that song. He has so much fun when performing that and it is one of those classic Beatles tunes that everyone on the planet knows. As much as I prefer to have "All Together Now" out of the setlist, I do think the gesture of making it for the children in very kind. I saw a few young children in the audience that were enjoying it. One in particular was a few rows ahead of me. He looked to be about 3 or 4 and he was being held in his mother's arms. The kid had a mohawk. Only at a McCartney concert. I said to myself that he has got to be the coolest pre-schooler on the planet right now. "Lovely Rita" holds just as much whimsicality of the song prior, yet with a larger degree of musical sophistication. Seriously, just listen to the isolated bass and you will wonder how he is able to sing and play that at the same time. All I'm going to say about "Eleanor Rigby" is that I'm tired of it. Either perform it with an actual string section or play something like "For No One" instead. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" has the same qualities of "Lovely Rita" in the sense that both can convey total whimsicality with musical expertise. Once again, listen to the isolated bass for this song too and question how he plays that and sings melody at once. Also, huge props to Wix on this one. I don't know how he does it. The only problem with this song is that it doesn't have the major factor that keeps the song interesting. I mean, the production team had to fill in half of the song with huge laser and lighting pieces just to keep the audience interested. This one gets old after a few times. "Something" is a cute song on ukulele, and a good mix between a rocker and a slow romantic song when it is electric. I like this arrangement better than the full ukulele version of last decade, but I do prefer many other Harrison songs that McCartney could do and has done. "All Things Must Pass" is my favorite example of such, but I feel like "Something" is the only certifiable guarantee for McCartney's current vocal state. I remember in 2010 when "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" was new to the setlist. This was one of the greatest late additions to the setlist that he has ever put in. The audience loves it so much. They just eat right out of Paul's hand, and he loves it. It is just so catchy! "Band on the Run" is the biggest Wings hit in the setlist. It is hard to complain with this one. the song itself is flawless and the performance is still good quality after 42 years. I just wish it were further in the setlist. I like it's set closing status on 'Wings Over America' because I feel this song has some of the most gusto of any McCartney piece. I never thought "Back In the U.S.S.R." was that big of Beatles song to have such a high status in the setlist. I think it is a notable song most definitely, but still not the best choice for the spot. I think it has only been kept in the set all of this time for the Russia banter. To me "Let It Be" is near flawless. The only problem with tonight's performance was that Rusty flubbed the guitar solo somewhat. I feel this song should be in the setlist forever and it has the perfect spot. My favorite part about "Live and Let Die" is that is shows you who has seen McCartney before, and who hasn't. Even though I know it is coming, I always get nervous about that pyro hit. It doesn't startle me, but it does cause me to shake for a few minutes. I'm surprised the pyro is that powerful. With it being the AARP crowd, I'm surprised no one has died of a heart attack or gone deaf at his concerts. "Hey Jude" was played to a smoke filled room. The stage was hardly visible, but the music still rang through the room. As much as I hate to say this, "Hey Jude" does get old at times. I think it is because he drags the sing along out into unnecessarily long portions. A few rounds and call it a day. I would rather be craving a few more chances to sing it than become tired of such. McCartney makes his way offstage for a moment, and I look around the arena and scoff at those few but noticeable groups that are leaving early. They assume he'll just do "Yesterday" and that is it. McCartney came back on wielding the American flag, thus causing the only true agreement over a flag in the state at that moment. His one and only encore this time opened with "Another Girl." It's a good tune from 'Help!' but it doesn't hold the power that many other songs do. I don't think it deserves this critical of a spot in the set. I would like to see it switch with "One After 909." Last time I saw McCartney in Greensboro, he skipped out on "Hi, Hi, Hi." Even though it doesn't appeal to the masses, this is a good song for the casual listener to at least move to and it allows the diehards to go nuts. Good move bringing it into the setlist when promoting 'Wings Over America.' "Can't Buy Me Love" was great because it is such a huge Beatles song, but its live absence over the years made it feel like a rarity for everyone there. Now, it was time for signs! McCartney brought up Rick Glover to celebrate Rick's 135th show. He presented McCartney with a Fans On the Run banner. Next was an adorably shy teenage girl from North Carolina. Her sign said that this show was three years worth of babysitting money. Sadly, we did not get to relive the joy of McCartney's favorite sign from the evening, one that read just the word "Foot." "Yesterday" is McCartney's finest piece, and I feel bad for him because he can never capture the musical essence of it live. The song needs live strings, and though Wix tries, it still sounds fake. I was one of the lucky ones who did hear the song with live strings via the Kronos Quartet at Outside Lands. After that one, there is no going back. That is my favorite performance of "Yesterday." "Helter Skelter" is an odd choice for the penultimate slot. It holds far to much energy late in the set at a time when everything needs to wind down. Even if the vocals don't hold much, the musical power still exceeds everyone's expectations of how hard McCartney can rock. Maybe just move this one to an encore opener. We have reached the end of an amazing night. "Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight/The End" is a great way to close the show. Though there are better ways, this one is the best that displays a level of upbeat positivity that stays with you until long after the show. The confetti falls and we rush up the stairs. We left our seats right as the song ended and beat the mad dash to the parking garages. We made it out without traffic or incident. We got in the car, went to cookout, drove 2.5 hours home, and arrived in Myrtle Beach around 2 AM Some general things I noticed: The stage was pushed literally as far back as possible. Though this is a average capacity arena, the size was quite small. The screens were all the way against the back wall. usually, there is space behind the stage and screens for equipment, but not this time. The floor was also very narrow. The stage itself was wider than the floor (probably why it was pushed back so far.) The front row was where the edge of the stage (not the platform) usually stands and should be. The show had apparently sold out a mere hours before showtime. McCartney's vocals held up throughout the show and I hope he is able to rest them before the European leg. McCartney said this was the last show of the American leg of the tour, and I guess he is excluding Lollapalooza from the tour because it will be a condensed setlist and stage set. So based on that alone, I guess this is the end of Out There for North America! I hope we all can see him next time with some big changes.
This is a fantastic review! You got home and went straight to writing I bet Thank you for sharing these details and the info about Paul's tribute to AME. Max respect to your father for serving our nation , I am so sad we lost this other great leader, and he lost his colleague, so soon. loved reading this!
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corchians:
Instedad of "Maybe I'm amazed" Paul should play "Warm and Beautiful" like tribute to Linda!
Hey that sounds like a nice alternative!
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Wow...pierceedge, thanks for that wonderful, detailed review. I do hate that I didn't go. Thinking about it now...$250 isn't that bad for a once in a lifetime Paul show. Sure, I've seen him 6 times before but each show is magical and unique on it's own. It also would have been cool to be at the very last show of this tour. I have learned my lesson and will start saving up now for the next tour. You are only offered really cool chances once in a while in life and you should take them. Money will come and go but the memories will last a lifetime. Again, after this I've learned my lesson. Last night 8:00 hit and I was sitting on my couch regretting not being there. And throughout the night I would wonder what song he might be on. Anyway...great review!! Thanks for sharing.
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Any news about soundcheck setlist?
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pierceedge:
I just arrived home. I live in Myrtle Beach, around 2.5 hours northeast of Columbia. For starters, I had fears of being late for the show. I went with my father (he drove) yet he was very late in meeting me, so we didn't get going until about 5, cutting it very close. We may or may not have sped down I-20 to Columbia, and arrived and parked a little after 7:30. Thankfully, my father is a former state legislator of 18 years so he knew the city like the back of his hand as well as which garage to go to and which streets to take to avoid traffic. My father bought extra ticket's for his brother and wife, but they had to cancel at the last minute so we staggered outside the venue trying to sell them. As showtime neared, we had no takers and were forced to surrender to whatever someone offered us and struck out on those. Nonetheless, it was about 8:09 as we were finally making our way inside the venue and through the gate. Literally ALL of the foot traffic was coming from the north due to all of the restaurants and bars on Gervais St. All of the security led everyone from this direction to the two closest entrances, both secondary entrances, thus creating long lines for people waiting to get in. We decided to walk only a few feet towards the South and primary entrance to find absolutely no line getting in. Immediately as I got inside, I found a T-Shirt vendor and as I was handing her the cash, I hear the music from the arena suddenly halt, the audience erupted, and I heard "Aaaannnddd Innn the Ennnnddddd" and knew it was time to rush to our seats. We started trailing down the stairs of section 113 to find row 8, arriving only a mere seconds into "Eight Days a Week." I didn't really mind missing that one because I had heard it 3 times before within the last few years. It was my first show since the Greensboro closer last year, and my father's first show since the National's Park concert in Washington, DC, a little less than two years ago. He had not heard all of the 'New' material live and was delighted by the energetic pace of "Save Us" even though he preferred "Junior's Farm" holding that spot in the setlist, and I agreed. He much rather prefers older Wings tunes to anything post 2000. "Got to Get You Into My Life" was a first time for both of us, which is always great to hear. It is one of those songs where McCartney sounds good on the high notes only because there aren't many high notes. "One After 909" was probably my favorite part of the evening because it was a first for both me and my father, and that song is particularly one of my favorite Beatles songs. I can't speak for my father, yet I am led to believe that Let It Be is his favorite Beatles album. I could be wrong. "Temporary Secretary was up next, and I think my father and I took pride in the fact that we were the only two people in the entire audience who knew the words. I looked around me and everyone was sitting and looking very confused. No one seemed to have recognized it. If McCartney did not introduce the song, I feel like people would have confused it for a newer song and passed it off as an excuse for McCartney to try to stay hip with techno and EDM and things of that nature. I kind of enjoy the fact that McCartney has the balls to play that song, because it is merely only because he wants to. No casual fan wants to hear that song because they would rather hear something like "Silly Love Songs" and very few diehard fans want to hear that song because they would also want to hear "Silly Love Songs" or better deep cuts. Next was the standard "Let Me Roll It" then the Hendrix story and "Paperback Writer" followed by everyone's favorite bathroom break song, "My Valentine". Once again, there are more songs with larger appeal for piano than this song that more people would resonate to, like "Let 'Em In". I love "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" because it is enough of a hit to make the casual listeners lock into the groove, and just enough of a cut compared to the rest of the setlist to satisfy the diehard fans. It is not an in your face hit but it is not something that only two people in the place know the words to. It is also great for both the ultra casual listeners and the children and teens in the audience most likely hearing it for the first time because it is an easy song to become attracted to. Prior to "The Long and Winding Road" came the most prominent moment of the evening. This was an audience still mourning in the wake of the tragedy in Charleston last week, looking for an escape from the heartfelt grief through the sheer joy that only McCartney's catalog can bring. He sat at the piano and dedicated the song to those nine innocent victims from last week and said "We pray that people of all colors will be able to live in peace and harmony." This garnished the largest ovation I have ever seen at a McCartney show, and I was at Bonnaroo. He could not have said it any better. He touched on tragedy and provided solidarity towards the future without becoming too political in a state that is waging an internal war of race relations. He knew how to be respectful without conjuring up any harsh emotions in a time of heated debate and social conflict. "The Long and Winding Road" in dedication to those nine beautiful souls was especially difficult for my father to be able to collect on. As I mentioned before, my father is a former state representative for South Carolina. He and the slain Clementa Pinckney both served their first day in the House of Representatives in 1996 together. They were good colleagues, not too close to each other but more than just acquaintances. I noticed my father's face during the song and while he fully kept composure, there was still the sign of grief. In an audience of thousands shocked by the heartbreaking loss, my father was one of few in the building who could take it personally. He was truly grateful of McCartney's well wishing to provide that little glimmer of home to come for people of all backgrounds in the current face of troubles, the same way he did such for those nine teenagers in Little Rock, Arkansas. Providing beauty and art as relief from sadness and tribulations is the reason why McCartney exists on this planet. With that being said, "Maybe I'm Amazed" is probably his most beautiful work post-Beatles, but abilities with it are fading away. It is sad though. I really love the song and I wish he could perform it to its full potential to honor Linda. I believe he feels the same way. With the recent criticism lately of his voice during this song, I noticed that the vocals were brought down in the mix on this song compared to both earlier in the show and all of the times prior I had heard him perform this. After most of the audience had been sitting or slow dancing to that poignant tribute to Linda McCartney, the opening acoustic guitar notes of "I've Just Seen a Face" caused the audience to shoot up immediately out of their seats. I have always been surprised by this one because it is an audience favorite by far, showing amazing reception each and every time I have seen him perform the song. I never though it was that prominent of a Beatles song to gain that type of reception. The same could be said about "We Can Work it Out" even though I prefer the latter more. Also, during these past two songs, a new prop flew down from the ceiling, and I could not figure it's purpose whatsoever. I was on the side so I didn't have the best view, but they appeared to look like roofing shingles. I don't know what they did or why they were there, but they were there. Those props were not present on any of the other four shows I had seen on this tour. "Another Day" is in the same category of material that I designated to "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" earlier. Both are well known just enough to be pleasurable to casual listeners, and rare enough to satisfy die hards, and a good song to hear for any young first timers. It is that chronological introduction to McCartney's catalog after one has already swept through the Beatles' material. Personally, tonight was my first time hearing "Hope for the Future" all together. I hadn't ever heard the recording. I was not alone in this. Once again, I look to the audience and they appear confused. I look over at my father, and he has a puzzled look on his face. He says in my ear "I think I've heard this song before." I reply "Let me guess. Was it playing in the background when you logged onto PaulMcCartney.com?" "YES!!" I myself always muted that song whenever I went on the website. The crowd is what I like to call the "AARP Crowd." Hope for the Future was made for everyone but the AARP Crowd. First of all, it was released for a video game. Second, his entire way of promotion for the song back in December catered to that younger audience that actually plays video games. He did podcasts and web interviews as a way of pushing the single, as opposed to TV spots, physical advertising, and airplay. I feel for this show, the song didn't fit, but for shows like Firefly and Lollapalooza this year, it would do well. "And I Love Her" is starting to grow old on me. My first show was Charlotte in 2010, and that was the year he introduced that song back into his setlist since the 90's. It doesn't really appeal to the casual fan, it is not the better of songs that McCartney could perform from 'A Hard Day's Night' (cough cough "Things We Said Today") and it isn't catchy enough for the younger first time listeners. "Blackbird" is always a beautiful piece. That one will never cease to strike emotions in those who have never heard it live before, and those who have heard it 135 times live before. It shows just what pure art one single man by himself can make. "Here Today" is a song that when explained, always draws that simultaneous "Awh" from the crowd. It shows McCartney with even more vulnerability than when he pays tribute to his late wife. It is the one moment in the show where McCartney absolutely needs love from the audience to be able to survive in the song. He without all those people, he wouldn't make it. I noted that "Save Us" was a really good song to have live, especially when compared to the original. The exact same could be said for "New" and "Queenie Eye." These two are where the tables are turned a little bit. These are the songs that the young crowd has more familiarity than the AARP crowd, but that didn't stop the retirees from enjoying it. Early within each song, McCartney had most of the people, young and old, off of their feet. Something that the producers of 'New' did not captivate on is McCartney's raw sense of groove. I think the whole album is overproduced because I don't enjoy the songs as they stand on record, but I love hearing them live. This is to be said of the entire album. I think McCartney should have just recored the songs as they are and used minimal production, the same approach to a live performance. Thankfully, these live performances in my opinion are the only things that get people interested in the 'New' material. I'm also glad he dropped "Everybody Out There" because it didn't have the energy that the other 'New' songs in the set do. "Lady Madonna" is fun to listen to because McCartney obviously loves playing that song. He has so much fun when performing that and it is one of those classic Beatles tunes that everyone on the planet knows. As much as I prefer to have "All Together Now" out of the setlist, I do think the gesture of making it for the children in very kind. I saw a few young children in the audience that were enjoying it. One in particular was a few rows ahead of me. He looked to be about 3 or 4 and he was being held in his mother's arms. The kid had a mohawk. Only at a McCartney concert. I said to myself that he has got to be the coolest pre-schooler on the planet right now. "Lovely Rita" holds just as much whimsicality of the song prior, yet with a larger degree of musical sophistication. Seriously, just listen to the isolated bass and you will wonder how he is able to sing and play that at the same time. All I'm going to say about "Eleanor Rigby" is that I'm tired of it. Either perform it with an actual string section or play something like "For No One" instead. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" has the same qualities of "Lovely Rita" in the sense that both can convey total whimsicality with musical expertise. Once again, listen to the isolated bass for this song too and question how he plays that and sings melody at once. Also, huge props to Wix on this one. I don't know how he does it. The only problem with this song is that it doesn't have the major factor that keeps the song interesting. I mean, the production team had to fill in half of the song with huge laser and lighting pieces just to keep the audience interested. This one gets old after a few times. "Something" is a cute song on ukulele, and a good mix between a rocker and a slow romantic song when it is electric. I like this arrangement better than the full ukulele version of last decade, but I do prefer many other Harrison songs that McCartney could do and has done. "All Things Must Pass" is my favorite example of such, but I feel like "Something" is the only certifiable guarantee for McCartney's current vocal state. I remember in 2010 when "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" was new to the setlist. This was one of the greatest late additions to the setlist that he has ever put in. The audience loves it so much. They just eat right out of Paul's hand, and he loves it. It is just so catchy! "Band on the Run" is the biggest Wings hit in the setlist. It is hard to complain with this one. the song itself is flawless and the performance is still good quality after 42 years. I just wish it were further in the setlist. I like it's set closing status on 'Wings Over America' because I feel this song has some of the most gusto of any McCartney piece. I never thought "Back In the U.S.S.R." was that big of Beatles song to have such a high status in the setlist. I think it is a notable song most definitely, but still not the best choice for the spot. I think it has only been kept in the set all of this time for the Russia banter. To me "Let It Be" is near flawless. The only problem with tonight's performance was that Rusty flubbed the guitar solo somewhat. I feel this song should be in the setlist forever and it has the perfect spot. My favorite part about "Live and Let Die" is that is shows you who has seen McCartney before, and who hasn't. Even though I know it is coming, I always get nervous about that pyro hit. It doesn't startle me, but it does cause me to shake for a few minutes. I'm surprised the pyro is that powerful. With it being the AARP crowd, I'm surprised no one has died of a heart attack or gone deaf at his concerts. "Hey Jude" was played to a smoke filled room. The stage was hardly visible, but the music still rang through the room. As much as I hate to say this, "Hey Jude" does get old at times. I think it is because he drags the sing along out into unnecessarily long portions. A few rounds and call it a day. I would rather be craving a few more chances to sing it than become tired of such. McCartney makes his way offstage for a moment, and I look around the arena and scoff at those few but noticeable groups that are leaving early. They assume he'll just do "Yesterday" and that is it. McCartney came back on wielding the American flag, thus causing the only true agreement over a flag in the state at that moment. His one and only encore this time opened with "Another Girl." It's a good tune from 'Help!' but it doesn't hold the power that many other songs do. I don't think it deserves this critical of a spot in the set. I would like to see it switch with "One After 909." Last time I saw McCartney in Greensboro, he skipped out on "Hi, Hi, Hi." Even though it doesn't appeal to the masses, this is a good song for the casual listener to at least move to and it allows the diehards to go nuts. Good move bringing it into the setlist when promoting 'Wings Over America.' "Can't Buy Me Love" was great because it is such a huge Beatles song, but its live absence over the years made it feel like a rarity for everyone there. Now, it was time for signs! McCartney brought up Rick Glover to celebrate Rick's 135th show. He presented McCartney with a Fans On the Run banner. Next was an adorably shy teenage girl from North Carolina. Her sign said that this show was three years worth of babysitting money. Sadly, we did not get to relive the joy of McCartney's favorite sign from the evening, one that read just the word "Foot." "Yesterday" is McCartney's finest piece, and I feel bad for him because he can never capture the musical essence of it live. The song needs live strings, and though Wix tries, it still sounds fake. I was one of the lucky ones who did hear the song with live strings via the Kronos Quartet at Outside Lands. After that one, there is no going back. That is my favorite performance of "Yesterday." "Helter Skelter" is an odd choice for the penultimate slot. It holds far to much energy late in the set at a time when everything needs to wind down. Even if the vocals don't hold much, the musical power still exceeds everyone's expectations of how hard McCartney can rock. Maybe just move this one to an encore opener. We have reached the end of an amazing night. "Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight/The End" is a great way to close the show. Though there are better ways, this one is the best that displays a level of upbeat positivity that stays with you until long after the show. The confetti falls and we rush up the stairs. We left our seats right as the song ended and beat the mad dash to the parking garages. We made it out without traffic or incident. We got in the car, went to cookout, drove 2.5 hours home, and arrived in Myrtle Beach around 2 AM Some general things I noticed: The stage was pushed literally as far back as possible. Though this is a average capacity arena, the size was quite small. The screens were all the way against the back wall. usually, there is space behind the stage and screens for equipment, but not this time. The floor was also very narrow. The stage itself was wider than the floor (probably why it was pushed back so far.) The front row was where the edge of the stage (not the platform) usually stands and should be. The show had apparently sold out a mere hours before showtime. McCartney's vocals held up throughout the show and I hope he is able to rest them before the European leg. McCartney said this was the last show of the American leg of the tour, and I guess he is excluding Lollapalooza from the tour because it will be a condensed setlist and stage set. So based on that alone, I guess this is the end of Out There for North America! I hope we all can see him next time with some big changes.
Thank you for such a detailed review! It's like I was there!
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corchians:
Instedad of "Maybe I'm amazed" Paul should play "Warm and Beautiful" like tribute to Linda!
I couldn't disagree more. 'maybe i'm amazed' is one of the best love songs ever written imo. one of the highlights of the show for me
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who had the bright idea to put a merch stand, a beer stand and an ATM side by side on the main concourse where the main entrance is? made for one heck of a bottleneck
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If anyone knows Cameron and her mom please PM me. I was sitting next to her and coaching her about her sign and when to put it up. When I saw what her sign said I told her that she had a good shot at being called up. I have some photos that I would like to give her. I believe she is from Wilmington North Carolina area. As for Rick Glover I've known him since 1983, and am one if the original FOTR members. It couldn't of happened to a nicer guy! I am so thrilled!
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Great review. I'm thrilled Rick got up on stage. Have known him for years. I would agree that it is time to retire Maybe I'm amazed unless he lowers the key - he simply does not sing it well anymore. It has gotten noticeably worse in the last 2 years. I know he wants to sing it for Linda, but it is time to find a different song for her, one his current voice handles better. I doubt My Valentine comes out anytime soon unless he has a new song for Nancy. He is going to want to have a song for her in the set and right now that is it. That is one for him and he is certainly allowed to have a song or two that he wants to play. I'd disagree about the characterization of 1985. That is a classic deep cut. it was not a single, was one of the least known songs on BotR. Other than very strong Wings fans it isn't that well known. I'm thrilled its in the set though as it plays well live and it is a fav of mine. Back in the USSR is the opposite. That is a very well known song, that was a Top 10 single. By any definition a big hit song. It'll be interesting to see what he does after July since it looks like Lolla is going to be his last gig for a little while. How much does he want to change things up before he decides to go out again, and how long will he wait until he goes out again. RamblinRed