The air crackled with anticipation as 83-year-old Paul McCartney took the stage at the newly renovated TD Coliseum in Hamilton. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a testament to enduring artistry, a question mark hanging in the air: how does a legend maintain such a vibrant connection after decades of performing?
From the opening chords of “Help!” the answer became clear. Age hadn’t diminished the spirit, the sheer joy of making music that defined a generation. McCartney, looking remarkably youthful, commanded the stage with a presence that transcended years, launching into a staggering 36-song set spanning nearly three hours.
He wasn’t alone. His seasoned band – Wix Wickens, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, and Abe Laboriel Jr. – provided a rock-solid foundation, while the Hot City Horns added bursts of brassy energy. But it was McCartney’s versatility, seamlessly switching between bass, piano, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and ukulele, that truly captivated the audience.
The concert was more than just a musical journey; it was a poignant remembrance. Tender tributes to lost loved ones – his first wife Linda with “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and Beatles bandmates John Lennon (“Here Today”) and George Harrison (“Something”) – resonated deeply, creating moments of shared emotion throughout the arena.
A particularly powerful moment arrived with “Blackbird.” Perched on a rising stage, McCartney recounted the Beatles’ experience with segregation in Jacksonville, Florida. Their simple refusal to play segregated shows, enshrined in their contracts, sparked a wave of applause – a reminder of the band’s quiet activism and enduring moral compass.
Stories flowed as freely as the music. He recalled a young Jimi Hendrix, virtually unknown at the time, electrifying a London audience. This led into a playful blend of Wings’ “Let Me Roll It” and a snippet of Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady,” a delightful surprise for the crowd.
The audience responded with unbridled enthusiasm to the iconic Beatles anthems. “Drive My Car,” “Getting Better,” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” and “Hey Jude” ignited singalongs that shook the Coliseum. When “Let It Be” filled the arena, a sea of phone lights illuminated the night, a collective expression of reverence.
The energy surged with Wings’ hits like “Live and Let Die,” punctuated by dramatic fireworks and firebursts, and the unexpected delight of a bagpipe-driven “Mull of Kintyre,” complete with a nod to the Scottish crew members who found themselves moved by the performance.
McCartney also paid homage to George Martin, the “fifth Beatle,” and performed the Quarrymen’s first demo, “In Spite Of All The Danger,” before launching into “Love Me Do,” the song that marked the beginning of their Abbey Road journey. It was a beautiful, intimate glimpse into the band’s humble origins.
While the venue itself offered a significant upgrade in comfort and sound quality, the journey to and from Hamilton proved challenging, with lengthy traffic delays plaguing concertgoers. Despite this logistical hurdle, the night belonged to McCartney, a master storyteller and performer who continues to inspire and uplift.
The setlist was a carefully curated tapestry of memories:
Help!
Coming Up
Got to Get You Into My Life
Drive My Car
Letting Go
Come On to Me
Let Me Roll It/Foxy Lady
Getting Better
Let ‘Em In
My Valentine
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
Maybe I’m Amazed
I’ve Just Seen a Face
In Spite of All the Danger
Love Me Do
Dance Tonight
Blackbird
Here Today
Now and Then
Lady Madonna
Jet
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
Something
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Band on the Run
Get Back
Let It Be
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude
I’ve Got a Feeling
Mull of Kintyre
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
Helter Skelter
Golden Slumbers
Carry That Weight
The End
As the final notes of “The End” faded, it was clear: Paul McCartney isn’t just getting better with time, he’s proving that the power of music, and the enduring legacy of The Beatles, remains as potent as ever.
