OT: Paul McCartney does Motown; Wrigley Field, you're next!

by Zeke on Jul 25, 2011 11:44 AM CDT

Sir Paul McCartney performed for over two and a half hours at a packed Comerica Park in Detroit Sunday night (7/24). The 94-degree, humid weather was threatening for a portion of the evening as thunder, lighting and rain moved through southeast Michigan prior to and during the early part of the show. Aside from some brief showers though, the ballpark was spared from the worst of it.

McCartney hit the stage about 8:30pm and played a rich range of Beatles, solo, Wings and Fireman songs- over 30 in all. Crowd favorites were mixed with some older material he said he hadn't played live in quite some time. Paul & the band toured the Motown Museum earlier in the day and were inspired to play the Marvin Gaye song "Hitch Hike" as a tribute to some of the influential music from their youth.

It was quite a visual show utilizing numerous HD cameras to feed the huge 4 video screens that sat on either side of the stage. Seeing this show took one of the items off my 'bucket list': seeing the last surviving members of the Fab Four perform live. (I've already seen Ringo & his All Stars).

With a little persuasion, I'd love to come to one or both shows at Wrigley this weekend.

Be advised: everything is very expensive. Aside from the tickets themselves, parking ran $15-45. Beers were $9 per. T-shirts started at $40. A program is $30. Keychains $15. Hats $30.

SPOILER ALERT: after the jump, I'll post cell phone pictures and the set list. If you want to be surprised at the Wrigley Field shows this weekend, then you may want to navigate away...

The Set List (from memory)

Hello, Goodbye

Junior's Farm

All My Loving

Jet

Drive My Car

Sing The Changes

Hitch Hike (I think) - Marvin Gaye

The Night Before

Let Me Roll It

Paperback Writer

The Long And Winding Road

Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five

Let 'Em In

Maybe I'm Amazed

I'm Looking Through You

I've Just Seen a Face

I Will

Here Today

Blackbird

Dance Tonight

Mrs. Vanderbilt

Eleanor Rigby

Something

Band on the Run

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Back in the USSR

I've Got A Feeling

A Day In The Life/Give Peace a Chance

Let It Be

Live and Let Die (the show stopper!)

Hey Jude

Encore #1

Lady Madonna

Day Tripper

Get Back

Encore #2

Yesterday

Helter Skelter

Golden Slumbers

Carry That Weight

The End

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 25, 2011 11:57 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks for posting the pics.

That’s a very Beatle-centric set list, which I’m guessing will go over quite well at Wrigley.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 25, 2011 11:59 AM CDT reply actions

It also rekindled my admiration for his music with Wings.

I think the various versions of that band were very underrated and written off by reviews and media for being lightweight. A lot of their work was very good.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 25, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Can't wait, should be a great show.

The better half is a huge fan.

by jpeters407 on Jul 25, 2011 3:51 PM CDT reply actions

Very cool post!!!

by TJ11 on Jul 25, 2011 7:51 PM CDT reply actions

So who won the free tickets anyway?

by TJ11 on Jul 25, 2011 7:51 PM CDT reply actions

Good question.

The answer is BCB poster John916, who doesn’t post all that often, but who is here from time to time. Thanks to all who entered.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 25, 2011 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Speak of the devil!

I can’t wait for the concert on 8/1. Very excited to see McCartney again!

by John916 on Jul 25, 2011 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey, glad you posted.

Congratulations!

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by Al Yellon on Jul 25, 2011 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Al

I’m a big-time Beatles fan, so this is amazing for me!

by John916 on Jul 25, 2011 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I am happy for you...It will be a great show!

by TJ11 on Jul 25, 2011 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks TJ!

by John916 on Jul 25, 2011 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Is there an opening act for either night?

I only ask because we will be scrambling to get there by 7 on Sunday.

by jpeters407 on Jul 26, 2011 7:28 AM CDT reply actions

I don't believe so.

McCartney doesn’t usually have opening acts. Besides, the starting time listed on the tickets is 8, not 7.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 26, 2011 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions

No, there was no opening act in Detroit.

Paul and the band just walk onstage, say hello and start playing.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 26, 2011 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Also, gates at Comerica were scheduled to open at 6pm.

They actually opened about 6:20pm and the concert started closer to 8:30pm. Not sure what the cause for delay was. Perhaps it was due to the imminent threat of rain and many, many people who had floor seats (including me) hanging out in the stadium concourse (under cover) until just before 8pm.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 26, 2011 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Fortunately...

… the weather forecast for this Sunday in Chicago looks gorgeous — low 80’s, low humidity, no rain.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 26, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Amen.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 26, 2011 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

8 would be much better than 7, I will have to look on my tickets.

by jpeters407 on Jul 27, 2011 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions

8pm is 9pm on east coast time.

Which is what my body clock will still be on ;)

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 28, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions

After the Cincinnati show on 8/4........

…. McCartney has no more dates scheduled, so if anyone is still undecided, get your tickets now. This guy is living music history and he still puts on the best live shows I’ve ever seen.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Jul 27, 2011 7:19 AM CDT reply actions

Agree with that.

McCartney is 69 years old. Who knows how much longer he will tour? The 8/1 show is not yet sold out.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 27, 2011 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed. I've seen a lot of shows in my (mumble, mumble) years...

Easily in the top 3.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 27, 2011 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

For Wrigley concerts

Are people allowed to hang out on Waveland? I’ve heard that people bring long chairs and some cough refreshments cough. Does anyone know if that’s true?

by jerry morales rules on Jul 27, 2011 2:05 PM CDT reply actions

Like a Sprite or Dr. Pepper?

I see no reason that wouldn’t be allow…

oh wait, … THOSE kind of refreshments.

Three words: Brown. Paper. Bag.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 27, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Three words: Brown. Paper. Bag.

Even then, my buddy once got a $150 ticket for brown-bagging it. All it takes is one cop who’s actually paying attention.

"They sell every ticket to every game, win or lose!" - Tom Ricketts

by bluemagic9 on Jul 29, 2011 5:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks to DoggieStalker

My family is pretty stoked for Sunday. It’s been 20 years since my dad saw him and the rest of us haven’t seen him ever. To see a musical legend at Wrigley is almost too much. Set list looked good too. Looked like he played most of my favorites at least, though per my concert ritual, I will not listen to Paul McCartney until he is in front of me….with us the upper deck of course.

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Jul 28, 2011 4:24 PM CDT reply actions