Paul McCartney performed at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo, on Tuesday (26)
When Paul McCartney takes the stage, it's hard to contain the emotion. That 76-year-old man is one of the great pillars, if not the greatest, of contemporary music. He carries 60 years of rock history on his shoulders and holds a packed Allianz Parque in his hands, doing whatever he wants with the audience, who go from laughter to tears.
You only had to look around during yesterday's show (26) to understand the importance of Sir Michael Jackson. Children, teenagers, adults and the elderly sang at the top of their lungs for almost three hours of performance. Opening with "A Hard Day's Night", the Beatle gets everyone dancing right away.
Paul's charisma is impressive. He endures the entire show changing positions on stage, playing guitar, acoustic guitar, ukulele, and piano. He does little dances, jokes, and speaks in Portuguese for a good part of the performance. "Today I'm going to try to speak a little more in Portuguese. But I'll also speak in English," he joked in his characteristic humor. The trick is well-known, but it never fails.
The entire show's production borders on perfection. Right from the start, during "Letting Go," a brass trio appeared in the middle of the audience. In "Black Bird," a platform lifts the singer high into the air, while LEDs show the bird flying through the sky. At one point, Paul's piano comes to life and transforms into a screen displaying historical images. In another, the grandiose show transforms into an intimate nighttime performance that could be taking place somewhere in the American countryside.
The two side screens help create the atmosphere, since everything is filmed and edited live for the audience's best enjoyment. The screens show the exact moment the drummer makes a funny face or the keyboardist's expression while playing a melody everyone recognizes. It's a super production in every aspect.
Paul also demonstrates his live experience in organizing the setlist. The first half of the show is calmer, gradually warming up the audience and pleasing the most fervent fans. From the new album, Egypt Station , the already successful "Fuh You" and "Come On To Me" were the most celebrated. As a surprise, "Back In Brazil" created a Bossa Nova atmosphere and a moment of mutual gratitude between Paul and the audience.
It also features songs by the Beatles and Wings , a medley of all phases of their career. From there, the show accelerates and becomes a collective catharsis. “Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite”, “Band On The Run”, “Let It Be”, “Live And Let Die” and “Hey Jude”, one after the other. During the latter, the entire stadium is filled with “Na Na” signs and a gigantic karaoke machine gives everyone goosebumps.
To conclude, the traditional combo of “Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End” followed by numerous thanks to the production team, the band, and the audience. The humility of one of the greatest musical geniuses is captivating. With green and yellow confetti and streamers, Paul bids farewell and promises to return soon. We will all be waiting anxiously.