Paul McCartney - Hard Rock Calling

Paul McCartney is a man who changed pop music twice with one band. But at times tonight he still tells bad jokes, puts on cringeworthy accents and dances like your dad! But eclipsing that is the 68 year old’s huge enthusiasm for music and live gigs. He puts most twenty-something bands to shame.

 

Tonight's 3 HOUR set starts slowly with Jet, solo tracks and songs from his Fireman records. Surprisingly his recent(ish) single Dance Tonight and much derided Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da get two of the biggest early cheers from the 50,000 'Hyde Park-ians' (his words).

 

Paul pays touching tribute to his late bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison and also plays Blackbird alone on stage. With just an acoustic guitar the legend shows that he doesn't hide behind his great backing band- unlike contemporary Brian Wilson.

But it’s the last hour of this show that everyone is here for. The Beatles classics (and er, one Bond theme) that have entered the international psyche. In order Macca plays- Let It be, Live and Let Die with trademark fireworks, Hey Jude, Paperback Writer, Lady Madonna, Get Back, Yesterday, Helter Skelter. Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and The End.

 

All songs guaranteed to raise the pulse and bring tears to the eyes of pretty much everyone. Who needs the World Cup when we've got Paul McCartney?

 

Earlier in the day saw the festival saw performances from Elvis Costello, Crosby, Still & Nash and Crowded House.