Curitiba • Saturday, March 30, 2019

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On an exciting night, Paul McCartney proved that although many things can change in quarter of a century (the time that separated his two visits in Curitiba), somethings are eternal and actually get better.

Gazeta Do Povo, Brazil

From ParanaPortal, March 31, 2019:

[…] Relaxed and speaking several slang in Portuguese, the former Beatle charmed by the charisma during the passage through the capital of the state of Paraná with the Freshen Up tour. This was the second time that Paul landed in Curitiba. The first was in 1993 at the Quarry Paulo Leminski.

In the repertoire, classics that made the almost 43 thousand people sing unison. The breathtaking show lasted 2h40 without a stop and with Paul playing piano, bass, guitar, guitar, bandolin and ukulele (a little guitar). Between a “Tamo junto” and “Suave na nave”, Sir McCartney burst out laughing and many tears of emotion. In times of cell phone always at hand, there were magical moments, as in the song Blackbird, with thousands of lights turned on the jovial 76 year old gentleman. […]

From For Whom The Bell Tells, May 28, 2019:

Thursday 28th March – Curitiba, Brazil

Having said hello goodbye to São Paulo for this tour, we find ourselves in Curitiba on Thursday evening. Paul last played here 25 years ago, so the show is big news. When I check in to the hotel, the young woman at the reception desk asks me if I really know Paul McCartney. I’m delighted to confirm I do! Then the usual questions follow. She tells me they can’t actually believe Paul will be in this hotel, let alone in the city, and that the hotel staff have been trying to move their shifts in order to attend the show.

She explains that she was a baby when Paul came here in the 90s but her parents still talk about it and it’s the most important thing that’s ever happened in the city, the Pope’s visit in the 80s coming a close second! This is backed up by the fact that television cameramen and paps have camped outside the hotel. And, sure enough, switching on the TV, I watch reports from the stadium, where two days ahead of the shows fans are already on site, all hoping to get the best possible spots when the doors open on Saturday.

Inspired by the revered site in Liverpool, Curitiba has its very own Cavern Club. And, to commemorate Paul’s second visit to the city, The Cavern unveil a statue of him the day before the show. 

Saturday 30th March – Estádio Couto Pereira, Curitiba, Brazil

On the day of the show the hotel lobby is packed full with fans and there are some amazing outfits too – special mention must go to the girls in their Egypt Station-themed outfits. 

It’s an eventful journey to the stadium. As his car leaves the hotel Paul has his window down and is filming some of the excited reactions when his phone gets knocked out of his hands by fans. Fortunately, however, it lands inside the car.

Fans on the route to the venue get an extra treat, when Paul’s car takes a wrong turn and ends up driving through a market place, which is pretty much exclusively selling Paul McCartney-themed goods (including bootleg T shirts that read ‘Paul McCartney Freshes Up Tour’!). The sudden, unexpected arrival of Paul in the market creates chaos. With fans drawing in on the vehicle hoping to see the man himself, the security teams start fretting. But Paul clearly loves the experience, keeping his window down and saying hi to everyone and shaking hands. 

Eventually, the car makes it safely through the gates of the massive Estádio Couto Pereira – home to Coritiba FC – and Paul heads straight to the stage for a 4.25pm soundcheck.

Showtime is 9.28pm and it’s a worthy climax to Paul’s time in South America. An online report from the Tribuna Paraná would later say that Paul brought the 45,000 strong crowd to “a state of delirium” – and that’s a pretty fair description.

As well as the undeniably iconic set list, Paul peppered the performance with Portuguese slang, such as “Tamo junto”, which means “We’re in this together”, much to the delight of the crowd.

With South America now properly Freshened Up, Paul sets off for the airport, where a flight back to New York awaits him.

Sunday 31 March

With the South American leg of the tour complete, it’s time for me to fly back to London. I’m looking forward to getting home after what’s been a brilliant run of shows. But, as I’m getting onto the plane, I receive a text from Paul breaking the sad news of the passing of his friend and much loved tour team member Shelley Lazar at the age of 69. Shelley was adored by all of us and by anybody lucky enough to have come into her orbit. An industry titan, Shelley was affectionately known as the Mother F**king Ticket Queen.  She looked after all Paul’s VIP ticketing for his tours – which is completely off the scale.  Paul’s shows attract the biggest and best names from all walks of life.  I have an early touring memory of Shelley bringing major A-list Hollywood stars backstage to meet Paul at one of his concerts. At Paul’s soundchecks over the years he would regularly dedicate ‘San Fransisco Bay Blues’ to Shelley. She was never phased.  And it didn’t matter if you were a President or a fan who had worked for months to afford a ticket to the show – Shelley treated everyone with such fun and affection and always with a smile.  It’s fair to say all the team have been hit hard by this news but we all smile and laugh when we remember her.  She’ll be forever with us.

Last updated on May 28, 2019

Estadio Couto Pereira

This was the 1st concert played at Estadio Couto Pereira.

A total of 2 concerts have been played there • 2019 • Mar 30th • 2023 • Dec 13th

Setlist for the concert