Best Show Ever
by Conor Levis
Incredible. Sensational. Out of this world. Surreal. These are only some of the words that come to mind when I think about Paul McCartney's two night stand at Fenway Park in Boston on Wednesday and Thursday night....only these words can't even begin do it justice. The consensus? Best show ever. So you can imagine how hard it is for a lifelong and die hard Beatles fan like myself to try and articulate what I experienced during those two nights. I'm going to try it anyway.
To many, if not all, the Beatles are considered the epitome of rock and popular music. You can certainly include me in that demographic. When I first heard that Paul McCartney was coming to Boston to play two shows at Fenway Park, I decided right then and there that I would be going at all costs. It doesn't even matter that I'm a student with bills and loans to pay who has been struggling financially all summer long. I was determined. I was going and I wanted the best seats in the house. About a week before the first concert, my best friend committed to go with me and we began the search for tickets...on EBay of course. I found two seats on the field at Fenway, 17 rows from the stage for $100 less than retail value on each ticket. I won't tell you how much we paid...but it was enough. Maybe they weren't the best seats in the house but they were pretty damn good and at a fairly reasonable price. Seventeen rows from the stage. I was on my way to see one of my heroes. That was enough.
There's always a certain something in the air before a big event in the city of Boston....whether it's a big game, a playoff game, or a big show. Maybe it was all the traffic on my way into the city or maybe it was seeing people in their Beatles gear, but I definitely felt it. I arrived at my best friend's, who lives only a few blocks from Fenway, about an hour before the show was set to start. MGMT was the opening act so we wanted to make sure we got there in time to see them. After some pre-show activities, we walked over to Fenway. I remember walking with an extra bounce in my step because I knew how promising this night was.
We got there just as MGMT was starting their set and took our seats down on the field. Walking on the Fenway outfield was very cool. I wouldn't have even realized I was on the field until I looked at the Green Monster and where I was in relation to home plate. Unfortunately, MGMT played to a relatively empty crowd because of the timing. 6:30 pm on a weekday...a lot of people were still arriving at the show at 8 pm. I really enjoyed MGMT though. "Electric Feel" sounded awesome live.
MGMT finished their set around 7:15 pm and the waiting game began. I figured McCartney would wait to come out so everyone could show up. I believe it was around ten of 8 when Paul finally appeared. The place went crazy as he walked onto the stage and a weird feeling came over me. I was now in the presence of one of the greatest musicians to ever live...a member of the greatest band of all-time. Paul played us his songs and everybody in Fenway Park sang and danced like they never had before. I know I did. I remember at one point everybody in my section sat down...but I remained standing. This was a once in a lifetime experience and I wasn't going to let it go to waste. It was the most fun I had ever had in my life. Just know that Paul McCartney played a two and a half hour set without taking a break once! This is a man who is almost 70 and he's still got it. The ovations and cheers Paul received throughout the show was unbelievable. I don't know if it had ever been louder in Fenway Park.
The concert was so good that I had to go again. I remember going home that night feeling as content as ever; but when the morning hit my tune suddenly changed. Thinking about how a few of my friends, including Rick, would be there at the Thursday show, and even though I had to work that night, I decided that I was going no matter what it took. All morning I searched for people and tickets to go with. My friend Phil finally agreed to go and the craigslist/ebay search began. Unfortunately it wasn't a successful one and I missed out on every opporunity that presented itself. Feeling defeated, I decided to go to work.
I was only there for about an hour when fate stepped in. My manager told me a co-worker of mine was looking for coverage on Saturday. I saw this as a chance to get out of tonight's work, so I called the guy and told him I would work for him all day Saturday if he covered my three hours tonight. He agreed and I immediately made a phone call to my friend Phil. "Still want to see Paul McCartney?", I asked. "Of course" he replied. "Meet me at my house in fifteen minutes". I rushed home, grabbed some clothes, and hopped into Phil's car when he arrived. We were on our way to Fenway to scalp tickets.
There was no guarrantee that we could even get tickets but I knew I just had to try. Plus, I wanted to be in the city just so I could hear Paul even. My friend told me the night before that you could hear the concert from blocks away. We left to go down around 7:00 pm, made it down, parked, and began walking at around 7:40 pm. I think I took speed walking to a whole 'nother level. We got within a block of Fenway when we heard a huge ovation from the crowd. We knew Paul had just come out. I began running at this point and made it to Fenway just as the 2nd song, "Jet", began. I started asking people if they had tickets but to no avail. We saw a line at the Fenway box office so we decided to stand in it. I didn't even know if they were selling tickets or if people were just picking them up. Then I heard somebody next to us say "2 tickets?". I turned and asked if he was selling. "Yeah. Great seats. 150 each.". Sold. I just wanted to get in there so I was taking the first offer that came my way. We got into our seats around the 4th song of the set which was "Flaming Pie". I had already seen the three previous songs the night before so I didn't mind. Our seats were right on the third base side, about 5 rows up. Not like the night before when we were on the field, but still great seats.
I noticed right away that we had a more lively crowd than the first night. People were screaming, dancing, and singing to every song. Unlike the night before, people were standing for the whole show. I know I did. McCartney proceeded to play his songs for us. Here is the setlist from the show:
Drive My Car
Jet
Only Mama Knows
Flaming Pie
Got to Get You Into My Life
Let Me Roll It/Foxy Lady
Highway
The Long and Winding Road
My Love
Blackbird
Here Today
Dance Tonight
Calico Skies
Mrs. Vanderbilt
Eleanor Rigby
See the Changes
Band on the Run
Back in the U.S.S.R.
I'm Down
Something
I've Got a Feeling
Paperback Writer
A Day in the Life / Give Peace a Chance
Let It Be
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude
Day Tripper
Lady Madonna
I Saw Her Standing There
Yesterday
Helter Skelter
Get Back
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band / The End
After another two and a half hour set, the show came to an end and once agan in spectacular fashion. I was left standing there, out of breathe and my voice almost completely shot, staring at the stage with admiration, thinking only one thing....best show ever. I called our friend Rick whom I had been texting all night during the show. "That was the greatest thing I've ever seen". I completely agreed. I sent a text to another friend of mine who was there (one that I told the night before was going to be the greatest show she's ever seen) that read "So how did you like the show?". "AMAZING! Best show I've ever seen!", is what she responded with. That seemed to be the consensus from everybody who was there. Don't believe me? Look no further than the comments in the videos I'm about to provide you with. They will pretty much reiterate what I already told you.
It's an unbelievable experience when you're in the presence of someone who is larger than life. There were times I couldn't help but stare off and think to myself, "I'm watching the greatest living member of the Beatles perform. THE BEATLES." It was the most surreal experience of my life. This summer hasn't been the greatest for me. I'm a struggling, broke college student in desperate need of work and with bills and loans to pay. It seems like every day brings something new to make my life hell. For the first time in my life, I'm legitimately stressed out. The thing is, spending those 2 nights at Fenway...I knew I wasn't alone. I'm not the only one feeling this way. For some of us, it wasn't just about going to see Paul McCartney perform for fun. We NEEDED a night like that. For those two and a half hours we spent at Fenway Park, we forgot about our problems. We forgot about the stress and monotony in our everyday lives that brings us down. We sang and we danced away to some of our favorite songs, some of the greatest and most famous songs of our lives. It was the most fun we have had in a long, long time, or in my case...ever. I saw people who had been waiting a lifetime to see this man. People who came to see the hero of their generation. To even say it was special would be the biggest understatement I could ever make. It was like nothing I've ever experienced before in my life. Life changing? Absolutely. Put simply, it was the greatest concert I've ever seen and probably will ever see. It just doesn't get better.
I found these videos on YouTube recorded by someone who was at both the Wednesday and Thursday show (like me). They are of high quality and it looks as though they're near the same section as me to give you an idea of my seats. I would post every video, but I'll save you some time and give you the important highlights in order.
MGMT performs "Electric Feel". Very cool, unfortunately nobody else there really knew who they were as they were only there for Paul. But there were a handful people who got up and danced. I would have if I wasn't alone lol.
MGMT performs "Time to Pretend"
McCartney came out around 8 PM and kicked things off with "Drive My Car" from the Beatles' Rubber Soul album.
He then followed up with one of his Wings hits, "Jet"
Paul McCartney - "Got to Get You into my Life" by the Beatles
Paul McCartney- "Foxey Lady" by Jimi Hendrix. McCartney plays a medley with the guitar from Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady" as a tribute to the man himself. He then told us a story about how Jimi Hendrix opened one of his concerts with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" only 2 days after the album's release with McCartney and George Harrison in the crowd. Jimi had learned it in just 1 day. Paul said it was one of the greatest tributes he's ever recieved and now plays "Foxy Lady" at all his shows to show the same respect back to Hendrix. He also talked about their friendship and how Hendrix was a "very cool and humble guy".
Paul McCartney - "The Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles
Paul McCartney - "My Love" by Wings. A song that Paul wrote and recorded for his wife, Linda Eastman, while she was still alive. When he announced he was playing a song for his wife...I thought for sure it would be "Maybe I'm Amazed" but I always thought this song was fantastic as well.
Paul McCartney- "Blackbird" by the Beatles. Loved this performance. Just listen to the crowd sing along. The crowd sang along to every Beatles song but you can only hear it this well during the acoustic songs. It was incredible.
Paul McCartney- "Here Today", a song he wrote for John Lennon. Listen to the ovation that John Lennon got. This video doesn't do it justice, it was much louder actually being there. It gave me chills. I almost teared up a little for this one, I won't lie.
Paul McCartney- "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles
Paul McCartney- "Band on the Run" by Wings. One of the best performances of the night.
Paul McCartney- "Back in the U.S.S.R." by the Beatles
Paul McCartney- "Something" by the Beatles
This was Paul's tribute to George Harrison, performing the Harrison composed "Something" on the ukulele. The ovation for George was much louder in person than it was on this video. An incredible performance, another one where everyone sang along. Also couldn't help but get a little emotional for this one.
Paul McCartney - "Paperback Writer" by the Beatles
Paul McCartney- "A Day in the Life/Give Peace a Chance" by the Beatles
In my opinion, the BEST performance of the night. Not only is "A Day in the Life" arguably one of the greatest songs of all-time, but just listen to the transition into "Give Peace a Chance" in this video. If that doesn't give you chills...I don't know what will.
Paul McCartney- "Let It Be" by the Beatles
Paul McCartney- "Live and Let Die" by Wings. One of his most famous songs post-Beatles. This performance had it all...including fireworks!
Paul McCartney- "Hey Jude" by the Beatles
More performances that will give you chills. The na-na-na part was so fun to chant and sounded unbelievable in the stadium. Definitely the funnest part of the show. This was the final song of the original set. He left the stage after this song to the loudest encore applause I've ever heard. It was almost at deafening level.
Paul McCartney- "Day Tripper" by the Beatles
Of course, he came back out after probably a minute and a half of applause. This Beatles' classic was the first song of the first encore.
Paul McCartney- "Lady Madonna" by the Beatles
Paul McCartney- "I Saw Her Standing There" by the Beatles
A very fun performance. Nearlt everyone in the stadium was dancing for this one. This was the final song of the first encore. If I said the first encore applause was deafening, the second one put that one to shame. I think it was because we weren't sure if Paul was coming back for a 2nd time, so we wanted to make sure we screamed unti he did.
Paul McCartney- "Yesterday" by the Beatles
Paul came back out for a 2nd encore set and kicked it off with perhaps his best song, "Yesterday". This was another fun singalong.
Paul McCartney - "Helter Skelter" by the Beatles
"Helter Skelter" is one of my favorite Beatles' songs of all-time. I'm so happy he performed this.
Paul McCartney- "Get Back" by the Beatles
This was the second to last song he performed and then informed us the next one would be the last of the night.
Paul McCartney- "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)/ The End"
Only fitting to end with this song at any Beatles' show. He started with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)", followed by a short medley in which he went into "The End" from Abbey Road. Very awesome.
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