Osaka • Monday, November 11, 2013

About

This is the first of two concerts in Osaka.

From paulmccartney.com, October 14, 2013:

Paul has announced today that he will play a second concert in Osaka as part of his forthcoming “Out There” Japanese tour. The additional date will be on 11th October at the Kyocera Dome. Tickets go on sale at 10am (local time) on Saturday 26th October through all major ticket retailers.

From For Whom The Bell Tells, December 4, 2013:

The eleven-year wait is over for Japan and the first show day is here. Paul is back in Osaka for what will be his third show in this city but his first since 2002. My morning is spent organising accreditation for media – photographer passes, TV crews, liaising with security etc – the lists are always endless with last minute requests but these days are so exciting. The venue is already buzzing in the morning and each tour department is busy working away in the outrageously huge dome, running last minute tests. Fans are lining the streets around the venue and the countdown to show time begins.

Meanwhile the man they are all here to see is back at the hotel getting ready in his own way. Going to the gym, having a massage and getting himself prepared for the day that lies ahead. When Paul leaves the hotel he calls into Japanese radio station FM Cocolo. That morning I spoke with their drivetime presenter DJ Meme who told me she couldn’t sleep last night as she was too excited about speaking to Paul saying she still won’t actually believe it until it happens. Sure enough it did happen.

Shortly after 4pm two massive black SUVs come driving towards the entrance. The fans have worked this out and are waiting by the gate that Paul’s car will come into. They’ve been waiting all day but the pay off is worth it. The cars pull up in the entrance and Paul jumps out, happily waving and mouthing hello to the delighted onlookers. Then it’s straight to stage for soundcheck.

As it’s the first show in Japan for Paul in eleven years, happening on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Paul agreed to do a special competition for eleven lucky fans to win the chance to meet and have their picture taken with Paul after the soundcheck. The winners assemble by the side of the stage and we take them back behind the stage to where Paul will come and meet them shortly. The ages of the winners truly represent a McCartney audience. The youngest winner was eleven (coincidentally fitting with our ‘eleven’ theme!) who learns English by listening to Paul’s music. The rest of the group were made up by teenagers, twenty something’s, thirty something’s, ranging to a man who wasn’t quite able to get to see The Beatles when they visited.

Paul comes to say hi, shakes everyone’s hand individually and jumps in the middle of them to have a photo taken. He suggests the guys make a couple of poses. A student in his young twenties bursts into tears and the translator explains he says he is just so happy and says this is the greatest day of his life. After some photographs Paul thanks them all for coming and is ushered by security down a corridor towards his dressing room. As he leaves Paul turns and waves. The assembled group of winners all scream in unison, hugging each other and jumping up and down with excitement.

The time now is nearly 5:30pm. In just under 90 minutes Paul will be on stage. Time to relax? Not for Paul. At this point Paul takes a crash course Japanese language lesson. One thing I’ve learnt whilst getting a ringside seat on all these tours is that Paul loves communicating with people and wants to do it in the best way possible. He wants to be able to talk to people in their native tongue and make an effort for the people that have come out to see him. He has also insisted that the screens have a simultaneous translation feed throughout the show when he does speak in English. A considerate rockstar demand that benefits his audience!

After the lesson it’s time for business. Paul disappears into his dressing room to get ready. Ten minutes later he appears in the corridor dressed in a resplendent burgundy frock coat lined with an antique kimono. The kimono features a pattern that represents good luck and happiness. He goes to see his band for a warm up and then makes his way to the stage.

At ten past seven he walks out on to the stage and the audience are up on their feet. Now, whilst to me this would seem like a normal reaction, a standing ovation is actually not a regular occurrence in Japan. What’s more interesting still is that the audience remains on their feet for the duration of the show. Again the local promoter and army of translators reliably inform me that this is unusual and signifies their respect and enjoyment for the entire experience.

There are some NEW additions to the setlist since the tour’s last outing in Canada in August. From ‘NEW’, Paul has added ‘Save Us’, ‘New’, ‘Queenie Eye’ and ‘Everybody Out There’. They work perfectly in the set. Still riding high in the charts here, the press comment in the reviews that follow that ‘NEW’ was an album made to play live.

The show ends at 9:45pm. It feels very early by Paul standards. A weird feeling as this is normally the time Paul goes on stage in South America! We do the traditional runner which means we are straight on the buses back to the hotel before the audience are out of their seats. When we get back to the hotel we gather for some post show drinks and food with Paul and everyone is in agreement that we are off to a great start.

Stuart Bell

Last updated on February 7, 2021

Kyocera Dome

This was the 1st concert played at Kyocera Dome.

A total of 4 concerts have been played there • 2013 • Nov 11th • Nov 12th • 2015 • Apr 20th • Apr 21st

Setlist for the soundcheck

Setlist for the concert