Music legend Paul McCartney delivered an unforgettable performance Friday night, officially reopening Hamilton's newly renovated TD Coliseum with a marathon concert that spanned nearly three hours and featured 36 songs.
The 83-year-old former Beatle proved age is just a number as he powered through an extensive setlist that delighted thousands of fans at the freshly retrofitted venue. The $300-million renovation of the former Copps Coliseum culminated in this historic concert event.
A Night of Musical History
McCartney opened the show with the Beatles classic Help! and closed almost three hours later with another Fab Four favorite, The End. Throughout the evening, he showcased his versatility by playing multiple instruments including bass guitar, piano, acoustic guitar, mandolin and ukulele.
Backed by his longtime band members Paul "Wix" Wickens on keyboards, Brian Ray on bass and guitar, Rusty Anderson on guitar, and Abe Laboriel Jr on drums, McCartney maintained remarkable energy throughout the performance. The addition of the Hot City Horns added depth to many arrangements.
Emotional Tributes and Stories
The concert featured moving tributes to McCartney's late colleagues and family members. He performed Maybe I'm Amazed in honor of his first wife Linda, Here Today as a tribute to John Lennon, and Something for George Harrison.
One of the evening's most poignant moments came during his solo performance of Blackbird, when McCartney shared a story about the Beatles refusing to play segregated shows in the American South. The audience responded with massive cheers when he described how the band insisted on integrated audiences.
Surprise Elements and Fan Favorites
The concert featured several surprises, including an encore performance of Mull of Kintyre accompanied by the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band. McCartney explained, "We've got a couple of Scottish guys on the crew. That always brings a tear to their eyes."
Classic Beatles songs like Let It Be and Hey Jude prompted massive crowd participation, with phone lights illuminating the arena during the former and enthusiastic singalongs during the latter's famous "na-na-na" conclusion.
The Wings portion of the show proved equally powerful, particularly Live and Let Die, which featured dramatic pyrotechnics and firebursts that thrilled the audience.
Venue Improvements and Challenges
While concertgoers appreciated the more comfortable seating and excellent acoustics in the renovated venue, significant traffic problems marred the experience for many. Attendees reported two-hour travel times both to and from the concert, with bottlenecks around the venue and highway lane closures causing major delays.
The show concluded at 11:05 PM, leaving many fans facing lengthy journeys home. Improving transportation access remains a challenge for the newly reopened facility.
Despite the logistical issues, McCartney's performance demonstrated why he remains one of popular music's most enduring figures, delivering a concert that spanned his entire career while showcasing the capabilities of Hamilton's premier entertainment venue.
