Denver • Thursday, July 15, 2010

About

From denverpost.com, July 16, 2010:

Is it perverse to call Paul McCartney “Beatlesesque”?

Of course it is, since he’s the most enduring member of the most enduringly popular rock band in history. But one couldn’t help thinking that as McCartney dashed onto the Pepsi Center stage Thursday night — especially since he was wearing an outfit more than a little reminiscent of his old band from Liverpool.

A black, high-collared suit and black boots were accented by McCartney’s trademark Hofner hollow body bass, an instrument that the thin performer still dwarfs.

Even at 68, McCartney is a ridiculously charming, unreasonably boyish performer with a strong, gorgeous voice. He still rises from his piano in triumph or lifts his guitar skyward after nearly every song (Denver Post pop music critic Ricardo Baca once compared him to a dazed prizefighter), clapping and dancing and spurring the audience to greater expressions of adulation. He’s clearly enjoying his job.

And so was the crowd. A standing ovation greeted McCartney’s appearance, one of many he would receive throughout the night. People waved homemade signs with messages such as “Can’t Buy Me Love, But This Is Pretty Darn Close.” They unfolded giant paper hearts and waved them above their heads.

McCartney responded in kind, repeatedly connecting with the audience by telling stories, dedicating songs to lost friends (Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, George Harrison) and lovers (Linda McCartney) and generally being an earnest, sentimental chap who seemingly had no right to look as upbeat and healthy as he did. (Maybe it’s that vegetarian lifestyle?) […]

McCartney’s two floppy-haired guitarists were solid all night, singing backup harmonies on Beatles numbers and doing much of the heavy lifting during solos. But his keyboard/drums rhythm-“strings” section — particularly his gifted, versatile drummer, who was also clearly having a fantastic time throughout the concert — truly held the songs together. Chills ran through my spine during some Beatles numbers, and it wasn’t hard to imagine what it must have felt like to see that band during its heyday. […]

But fans were entirely forgiving of both the late start and the mixed-bag song list as McCartney delivered a bewildering number of pop and rock classics, hit after brilliant hit. He’s an expert at working the crowd into a lather, walking on stage with a giant Colorado state flag and waving it above his head just before he began his first encore. Cheesy as hell? Yes, but it worked. […]

The setlist for the soundcheck is unknown.

Last updated on November 24, 2020

Pepsi Center

This was the 2nd concert played at Pepsi Center.

A total of 2 concerts have been played there • 2005 • Nov 1st • 2010 • Jul 15th

Setlist for the concert