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Paul McCartney performing at FedEx Field Aug. 1. (Photo by Bob
Gannon.)
Bob Gannon is back with a report and pictures from FedEx Field.
More photos are in the slideshow at the bottom of the page.
Take it away, Bob!
Hi gang,
Just getting back from the show and getting my photos together. Another good show but lacked the energy of the New York shows.
Not that Paul and band didn't deliver, they most certainly did. There just was much less audience banter on this stop. Two major changes was of course the addition of Washington D.C. being the first city that the Beatles played a concert in and a tribute to Michelle Obama by playing "Michelle" last time did in 2007 in Paris and the 2nd Half of the Driving USA tour. Set list other than that was basically the same.
Point and shoot cameras were allowed in despite some employees in the parking lot telling myself and others that no cameras of any kind would be allowed in. We were early and decided to try anyway and got it in with no problem. For the most part, they didn't bother people unless the cameras were held up constantly. It was also very a muggy night.
Also during "Hey Jude" instead of asking the men to sing first, started with the people in the back and then to the men and finally to the women. Can't think of anything else of note to report...
01. Drive My Car
02. Jet
03. Only Mama Knows
04. Flaming Pie
05. Got to Get You Into My Life
06. Let Me Foll It/ Foxy Lady
07. Highway
08. The Long and Winding Road
09. My Love
10. Blackbird
11. Here Today
12. Dance Tonight
13. Calico Skies
14. Michelle
15. Mrs. Vandebilt
16. Eleanor Rigby
17. Sing the Changes
18. Band on the Run
19. Back in the USSR
20. I'm Down
21. Something
22. I've Got a Feeling (with extended jam)
23. Paperback Writer
24. A Day In the Life
25. Let It Be
26. Live and Let Die
27. Hey Jude
BowsEncore #1
28. Day Tripper
29. Lady Madonna
30. I Saw Her Standing There
BowsEncore #2
31. Yesterday
32. Helter Skelter
33. Get Back
34. Sgt Pepper reprise into The End
If you liked this, you may also want to see:
- Beatles 101: Complete list of story coverage of Paul McCartney's 2009 U.S. mini tour
- McCartney FedEx Field report 6: First complete audience report (with pic of Paul)!
- McCartney FedEx Field Report 5: On stage report #3: And in the end ...
- McCartney FedEx Field report 4: Paul on stage report #2 - A song for the First Lady
- McCartney FedEx Field report 3: Paul on stage report...
- McCartney FedEx Field report 2: More from the soundcheck
- McCartney FedEx Field report 1: Ringo song during soundcheck?
Comments
I disagree with Bob on the energy level, the night was electric. Great show, Paul was fantastic, audience banter is wonderful, but I would rather hear the music, and it was great.
I totally disagree with Bob on the energy-level thing. I didn't attend the NY shows, but I don't know just how he and the band could have been more energetic. And he bantered VERY WELL with the audience. He totally charmed every one of us...he just has that ability. He smiled, he bounced around the stage, he sang in a clear and beautiful voice....going from voice-shredders to soft ballads without a hitch. He did everything and he did it all brilliantly. I heard many a person say that "this was the very best concert they had ever seen...and many with that sentiment were very young people. He totally nailed it. Every bit of it. Thanks Paul!!!
Well, not having been to the NYC shows, I don't know how much more Paul talked to the audience there. I was plenty charmed by what he said at FedExField. His voice and energy level would have been astounding for a 30 year old, let alone a 67 year old. I did feel bad for him because the DC humidity was intense. The entire band was sweating profusely. All I did was dance in the audience and I was sweating profusely.
Or by audience banter, did you mean that the DC audience was less responsive?
What about the opening act? They were two dudes with a CD player...it looked like they were ushered off the stage.
I also agree that the energy was great, most people didn't know if the banter was scripted, so everybody enjoyed it.
Paul did not leave the stage for one second until the encores, didn't even get a sip of water, how about that for a 67 years old guy?
maybe the surprise element is gone for bob. He's seen many shows. So have I and I can tell you, for me it gets better and better. No lack of energy or enthusiasm I could see. It was hot, in weather and intensity.
This show felt and sounded like a beautiful swan song. Paul has truly come full circle, to a point where he came to terms with his complicated relationship with John, artfully accomplished early in the set with "Here Today" and later by breaking into "Give Peace a Chance" during "A Day in the Life" and through "I've Got a Feeling" which may have been the last great example of a Paul/John collaboration.
He also paid tribute to George, hauling out George's old ukeleles and playing "Something," arguably George's finest musical composition ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps" could have been a fan favorite choice, but as a lasting composition, many critics agree that Something represents George's greatest achievement).
The band was the perfect accompaniment. The weather Gods shone down - it rained before and after the concert but not a drop during. The annoyances-the cold money-sucking stadium, the intrusive pat-down, faded into a truly memorable eve for this self-described "Beatle Bug.
Hey Bob,
It's not a sign of weakness to say something nice while reviwing a concert. I guess too many critics (like you) feel it's their job to be critical. That's too bad because while you were looking for something neagtive to say you missed a great show. McCartney's simply one of the greatest and last night was a clear example. He looked terrific, sounded great, and simply put on an amazing show. As a loyal concert goer for 30-plus years, last night was actually the best show I've ever seen. Sorry you missed it!
I go to a lot of concerts and enjoy most of them. I saw Joel/John last month, AC/DC at Verizon, Stones, Boss, etc... Paul blew them all away. Not taking anything away from the other, but Paul was just THAT good.
He played a good bit of new music first half of the show, but that's to be expected. He mixed in Wings, Beatles, and solo james nicely. The most impressive part was his non-stop energy level and his voice. He's still got it, no decline whatsoever. I seem to remember 3 encores and 9 songs, but it was a long night... maybe I'm mistaken.
Either way, Paul is a great performer and I definitely got every bit of my moneys worth!
i'd have to agree that the audience wasn't as 'enthusiastic' as i would have imagined them being at a paul mccartney show. (unless you were lucky enough to be on the floor). the people surrounding me were all old folks who kept yelling at us to sit down!
as far as energy from the stage...amazing! i'd agree with everyone for a 67 yr. old he put on one of the best shows i've ever seen. and he's a legend...just that is enough, even if he was to sit in a chair the whole night- it's paul mccartney...what more could you ask for? Three, maybe four generations of people all there to see a man who helped change history in the music world!
and what an honor to see him praise his former band members. to have been given the opportunity to meet him in person, i must say, he is as genuine upclose as he was on stage :)
"..It was also very a muggy night." Was your correspondent there? For August in DC it was positively fresh! As all his photos are from the first couple of songs before the coat was taken off, I suspect he left early.
This was my first time seeing Sir Paul and it was the greatest night of my life to date. I thought the show was amazing...he out-performed every single artist I have seen in the past 5 or 10 years. None of "todays" artists could have played for the amount of time he did, and with as much energy. I loved every single minute! Rock on Paul! Thanks for a GREAT night!!!!
I have gone to a lot of shows in my life...big name acts to those lesser known. This was by far the biggest highlight for me personally! Sir Paul has more energy and stamina than those 40 years younger in my opinion! Did anyone see him wipe his face or take a drink? If he did, it wasn't often. His band was tight and made me think at times that I was indeed at a Beatles show : ) That was one concert I will never forget! Oh, and for those that arrived at 4 pm for some tailgating had an extra treat. There was a soundcheck that I swear was more than an hour long!!! We were singing in the parking lot before the show even began...he sounded great even from there. Peace!!!!
This was my second McCartney experience and it was amazing! I continue to be surprised at his energy and enthusiasm after all these years of entertaining. I agree with everyone else that it was worth every bit of aggravation getting in and out of "Hell" field! Don't know how Redskin fans put up with it??
You may want to list "A Day in the Life" as "A Day in the Life/Give Peace a Chance".
Best concert i have ever seen in my life. i can't compare this show to any other Sir Paul shows but i really enjoyed how he gave little stories about various songs. i have been to concerts where there was little to no interaction with the audience so this was a real highlight for me. i especially enjoyed the fact that it wasn't raining at the stadium when it was raining everywhere else. Live and Let Die was a wonderful treat. The only negative was how late the show started. i was feeling really bad for our babysitter when we didn't walk in the door till nearly 2am.
It was an outstanding show. No nitpicking here.
What a night - Paul was everything I could have asked for and more! He never missed a note and his energy level could be compared to a person half his age. I loved the personal narratives he threw in about the songs and the meaning they held for him. I wondered (since he started almost two hours late and included the song "Michelle") if the Obamas might have been in attendance in one of the boxes... In spite of the two hour delay and two hours of sitting in the parking lot after the concert, I can honestly say that it was the best concert I've ever attended and the only regret I have is that it's over. I had so much fun singing, dancing, and reminiscing, but I heard a few new songs that will soon be added to my Ipod. All in all, a fantastic night - and if I had a few spare thousand dollars, I'd fly to Boston for Thursday night's show!!
I saw Paul twice @ RFK Stadium in DC in 1990 and I actually kept the review from the Wash. Post that I read before I went. I am amazed that seeing him 20 years later that he sounded just as good. I have seen him since then and this is the best band he has ever played with by far! He sounded incredible and the sound system did him justice because the engineers had his voice level so you could still hear him during the louder material. His voice is an instrument in and of itself and the acoustic material was amazing! I kept telling my wife "I wish he would drink some water, he's going to collapse!" For those of you who drove, next time take Metro. I was back home in Arlington about an hour after the concert!
I loved the concert!! Paul was great.I did make the comment that the man never went for a drink throughout the whole show it just amazed me.I think people were getting restless waiting for the show to start. Not Paul's fault but I think FedEXField needs to figure out the parking issues as waiting almost two hours for a show to start is a shame.
I was at the July 21 concert at Citifield and at FedEx Field. I can tell you that Paul was more energetic at the DC show, and there was the same familiar banter, but I will say he usually seems energized and happy whenever he plays DC. This was my 10th Paul concert; the first was a Beatle concert, Sept. 13, 1964, in Baltimore. Hate to say it, but this was even better! The Beatles only played for half an hour; Paul goes on for two and a half hours, non-stop. I was in the 7th row, with a sign familiar to Paul; we made eye contact many times, and I'm pretty sure I got a hug sent at the very end! What an amazing talent and human being! I'm still smiling!
Bob, you have your concerts mixed up? Sir Paul McCartney was everything and more than expected! For 2hrs & 45 minutes he owned FEDEX field plain & simple. To "critique" is one thing to understand is another. I like I think many others who were there saw him live for the first time. I will never forget one one the best nights of my life that had I shared with my wife, daughter and friends. He was amazing with the audience who responded to his funny, open and honest banter with all of us. As I said to my daughter, "he makes you feel like he is talking and singing to you". What at Night!!!!
I suggest everyone read the review of the concert in today's Washington Post. It was even more gushy than any of us has been. I never thought about Paul not drinking water until people here mentioned it here. Amazing that he could go from song to song beautifully in that heat and without drinking any water. And the show really didn't start late as people here have commented. He was on time. The show had an opening act...those two guys doing electronica. It didn't seem like they were doing anything but standing there, but...that just wasn't music being played over the sound system to pass the time..it was an "act." So while the ticket indicated the "show" was to start at 7:30, they didn't mean Paul, himself. He was to start at nine and did so, basically. Maybe they could have made that part a bit clearer.
This was my fourth time seeing Paul (the first time was in 89/90, Palace of Auburn Hills) and I can say that his voice and his talent and his showmanship are STILL unparalleled after all of these years! Highlights for me where Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, Helter Skelter, and Something.
My ONE complaint was the overly oppressive security wanna-be cop JERKS. I was in Section 101 of the lower bowl and everyone was dancing
and having a great time until this a-hole security guy started shining his light in our eyes, demanding we all sit down. At first, everyone did, but after a while we gave a collective "Eff you" and got back up to dance! This was a ROCK concert, IDIOT! PEOPLE STAND AND DANCE AT ROCK CONCERTS!
All in all, Paul was amazing. Security at FedEx Field = total amateurs.
My experiences with the security folks on Saturday were all positive and I was surprised at the time but attributed it to the mellow vibe that I felt throughout. I was even able to joke around with a couple of them before the show. During the show we did get some much needed help due a moron who came late and then proceeded to stand on his chair in front of us (we were sitting on the field in Sec B1). After telling him (nicely) to get down with no effect, my wife summoned a guard who came right over and told him to sit down. He wasn't happy but everyone behind him were. Afterward the show we broke out the folding chairs in the parking lot to discuss the show and wait for the traffic to die down. At one point a guard in a cruiser came by and said we had to keep the noise down. He then quickly said "Ha, just joking!" and drove off. We were all shocked.
BTW, put me in the camp that thought the show was great!
I took my 18 yr. old son to his fist Paul Concert. I hadn't seen Paul since Giant stadium in '93. We were both blown away by the concert at FedEx Field. The people in my section were dancing along and having a fantastic time. I've lived in Southeastern VA for ten yrs. and thought the weather on Sat. night for the concert was comfortable with a light breeze. Paul and his band were under those hot lights, no wonder they were sweating.
My son was in awe of seeing his second "real live Beatle." (He saw Ringo for the first time two years ago.) Paul was amazing and this experience was worth driving in torrential downpours coming and going. It was miraculous that the rain stopped for this concert. By the way, the fireworks for "Live and Let Die" were amazing. Of course, every song was a gem, but I was blown away by hearing "A Day In The Life" and "Helter Skelter" live by "The Man" himself. I'm still floating on a "Paul High."
I seen Paul in 1989, The Flowers Inthe Dirt Concert I have to sat that this was the best! I took my best freind Eric down, and we had our cameras! got good pics too. I like all the music, my favorite was Here Today. Love you Paul
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