Been There!

The Moment: "Mull of Kintyre" is performed by Paul McCartney. Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 13, 2002.

By Adam M. Anklewicz

I feel the excitement mounting as I eat dinner with friends and talk about the upcoming show.  Seeing Paul McCartney live is an amazing thing that I have been hoping to do for a very long time.  To whoever it was that booked this tour, I am very thankful.  McCartney is touring America in support of his album Driving Rain, and fortunately, making a stop in Canada, Toronto to be precise.  Luckily I’m not on the other side of the country, cursing those damn Torontonians for getting to see Paul McCartney.

Sitting in a fast food restaurant with some friends at Union Station, we discuss the songs we hope to see him play, already knowing full well that the previous shows have all had the same setlist, and exactly which songs make up that setlist.  Suggestions are thrown out as if he might be secretly listening to find out what his fans want to hear: “Calico Skies,” “Helter Skelter,” “Monkberry Moon Delight,” and “Flaming Pie” are all among our suggestions.  The last suggestion I throw out is one of my favourite solo McCartney songs, “Mull of Kintyre.”  The general consensus from the rest of the group is “that would be cool.” 

As we take the short walk from Union Station to the Air Canada Centre, we find a huge crowd standing in the hallway waiting to be let in.  Odd, we think, the doors were supposed to have opened 15 minutes ago.  We join the mob and shortly afterwards find that the entire passage way has been crammed with people.  We hear murmurs that the sound check went longer than it should.  Half an hour later they let us in… finally. 

The lights turn down, and after an amazing opening act, Sir Paul McCartney takes the stage.  Performing hit after hit.  Everybody knows these songs, and everybody sings along.  McCartney leaves the stage for a second time, and the crowd demands another encore.  We realise he’d been saving the best for last, playing one of his greatest songs, “Yesterday.”  As he finishes, the screen behind his back turns plaid.  My friends and I all turn to each other in shock, and I say, “Holy shit, he’s going to play it!”

McCartney tells the audience how he likes being in Canada because of its Scottish heritage.  He proceeds to introduce the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band (yes a pipe band!).  As Paul McCartney begins to strum on an acoustic guitar, and sings with a voice as crisp and strong as ever, the pipe band starts marching on stage, filling the giant arena with the sounds of bagpipes, drums and McCartney.  Pure heaven.  He was singing it just for me.  Perhaps he had my veggie burger bugged.  Never before had I been so grateful that Canada’s first Prime Minister was born in Scotland.

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