Cardiff • Saturday, June 26, 2010

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From paulmccartney.com, June 9, 2010:

On Saturday June 26th Paul McCartney will bring his all new ‘Up and Coming Tour‚ to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium for his first live show in Wales in 35 years. As main support he’ll be joined by the Manic Street Preachers. Paul’s show coincides with the Millennium Stadium tenth anniversary. It seems only fitting Wales’ most celebrated band should join the most revered name in music as a special guest. The Manic’s commented: ‘It is a massive thrill to play the stadium again and an even bigger one to be playing it with the legend that is Sir Paul.’

Also joining Paul will be indie newcomers The Joy Formidable. The band, originating from North Wales, have caused quite an underground stir since the release of their debut album in 2009. They were also hailed as ‘one to watch’ in the Guardian’s 2008 end of year poll.

It sounds bad, doesn’t it? Truth is I don’t think of it like that. I don’t look at the world like that, ‘How long is it since I was there? It’s actually just a case of your promoter saying, ‘Would you like to play Cardiff? We can get the hall on that night,’ and I go, ‘Oh, I’d love to!’. Actually I have been trying to do Millennium Stadium for a little while. I love Wales, we used to hitch-hike there when we were kids. It’s a great place.”

Paul McCartney, from BBC interview, June 17, 2010

From Whom The Bell Tells, July 14, 2010:

From there, we moved on to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. After the soundcheck the night before, we relaxed over dinner at the hotel and Paul proudly showed us some handkerchiefs had received for his birthday the week before, saying he had to get round to writing thank you notes for the presents had been sent. There was no time the next day though as Paul played his first gig in Wales for 35 years to an unbelievable reception. City centre bars celebrated by playing his greatest hits as fans gathered before the stunning show, which The Western Mail later said felt like an intimate gig during Pauls unique, down to earth chats between songs. Fans watching included Super Furry Animals, former Spice Girl Mel C and support act Manic Street Preachers, whose bassist Nicky Wire was so overawed by meeting Macca, he forgot to ask for his autograph and had to ask for one to be sent on later.

Stuart Bell

I’ve had my eye on it for a long time – since it was built. I’ve often said to my promoter, ‘What about Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium?’ but it’s always been booked. So it’s been a long-term ambition of mine.

Paul McCartney

From Whom The Bell Tells, August 28, 2010:

Manic Street Preacher’s frontman James Dean Bradfield has been telling the press what it was like supporting Paul when the ‘Up and Coming’ tour played in Cardiff, and how impressed he was watching Macca’s show afterwards. He said; He played for three hours, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I thought he was absolutely transcendental, I thought he was brilliant. He played 40 songs and he moved around more than any member of Kings of Leon on stage. I’ve never seen a musician more at one with himself. It’s a symbolic relationship between him and music and I can’t have more admiration for a musician than I have for him really. Watching him play ‘Blackbird’ you know, that’s the holy grail of what musicians try to do. It’s simple but somehow complicated, it’s one thing and the other, and I can’t figure out how it comes out of somebody. That’s why music is brilliant sometimes. If you don’t understand, that person can’t explain it to you. When he played that song I just thought, yeah, you’ve got to admit, I could never do that.’ It’s just amazing. Nicely put James.

Stuart Bell

Last updated on November 24, 2020

Millennium Stadium

This was the 2nd concert played at Millennium Stadium.

A total of 2 concerts have been played there • 2010 • Jun 25th • Jun 26th

Setlist for the soundcheck

Setlist for the concert