Post by neilcrud on Jun 2, 2008 9:15:38 GMT
The Liverpool Sound Concert.
Anfield Stadium. Liverpool 01/06/08
Paul McCartney
Kaiser Chiefs – The Zutons
Dave Grohl – Peter Kay
Anfield Stadium. Liverpool 01/06/08
Paul McCartney
Kaiser Chiefs – The Zutons
Dave Grohl – Peter Kay
Review And Pics by – Paul Hammond
An incredible experience, totally surreal! Where do I start?
At The Cavern I suppose, the place where it all began. That’s where I headed off to first for a pre match, sorry, a pre concert beer. As i expected the place was ram packed with Beatles fans from across the world. They took turns posing for photos on the small stage in the dingy world famous cellar rooms where Beatlemania was born before the four lads from Liverpool went on to conquer the globe.
Being born and brought up in Liverpool I was force fed the Beatles music and stories as I grew up but I can own up to being completely unimpressed by it all as my youthful rebelliousness made me feel more attached to the Punk Scene. Being a Punk Rocker it wasn’t considered cool to like The Beatles (Remember Poor old Glen Matlock got sacked from the Sex Pistols for his apparent love of the four scouse moptops).
I didn’t truly understand or appreciate them until after the ‘Anthology’ releases in the 90’s which gave The Beatles another birth to a whole new generation of fans, me included.
Today one of only 2 remaining Beatles still alive was back ‘home’. Sir Paul McCartney, and to make it even more special, he was playing at ‘Anfield’ home of my beloved Liverpool FC. This was to be the day I got to stand in the centre of the pitch where all my football heroes have tread and also the day when I came to truly appreciate the enormity of what the Beatles achieved.
Walking up to Anfield was ‘unreal’, no LFC souvenir stalls, and no chants of from the Kop. Instead the massive crowds of people queuing from the stadium around the block and a further two streets back were here for the 1st ever concert to be held at the venue. Waiting in the queue wasn’t an option so another couple of beers would kill the time.
Nicely watered I excitedly made my way into the ground, funnily enough through the same block as when I go to the games. Being ushered onto the pitch was again ‘unreal’ as normally the stewards won’t let you near it!
The Zutons were already playing and I just managed to catch the last couple of tracks ‘Valerie’ and ‘Always Right Behind You’. At this point I was busy stood on the covered hallowed turf centre circle looking up at the seat in the kop where I normally sit. A privileged view, although a strange site with no goalposts, i suppose thats one way to stop Torres scoring!
Next up were the Kaiser Chiefs of whom I’m a big fan. The band bravely sported Leeds United scarves draped over their amps. They ooze energy and they whipped up the crowd perfectly. All the hits were there plus some storming new material. They played a full set that concluded with a thumping version of ‘Oh My God’ with the kop, sorry the crowd joining in.
Another roar, ‘Rafa, Rafael’ burst out from the main stand as the Liverpool Team manager took his seat. Mexican waves followed before to everyone’s astonishment Peter Kay walked on stage to introduce a ‘local lad’ who’s played alongside just about everyone including Stevie Wonder, Rupert Bear and The Beatles! To mass stadium laughter he announced “Britain has got talent” here’s Paul Mildred McCartney!
McCartney looks remarkably good for a man of 65 and physically in great shape. Perhaps it was the weight of his ex missus plus 24 million off his back!
He opened with ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’ and the set that followed included – Long & Winding Road, Back In The USSR, Penny Lane, Eleanor Rigby and more.
Rumours of a mystery guest had circulated for weeks and we weren’t to be disappointed. Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters was introduced to a frenzied crowd, Dave joined Paul and the band onstage playing guitar on ‘Band On The Run’ before climbing on to a second drum kit to play ‘Live and let die’. This track was accompanied by a blistering light show and onstage fireworks. Awesome.
The end of the scheduled set finished with ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Hey Jude’. Again it was unreal to hear a full Anfield crowd singing along to a man on stage rather than Fernando Torres bursting the net at the Kop end.
McCartney returned to play encores ‘Yesterday’ 'When i saw her standing there' and finished with ‘Give Peace A Chance’ as Yoko Ono stood in the stand singing alongside George Martin the Beatles legendary producer.
The finale fireworks lit up the Anfield sky and it was over but the day will live with me forever. As I stood among the thousands of people in the crowd of all ages, I looked around at the flags from Brazil, Japan, USA, Italy & everywhere.
I had an overwhelming feeling of pride of being a born and bred Liverpudlian stood on the pitch at the home of Liverpool FC having witnessed one of the city’s true prodigal sons paying homage to his and my homeland, Liverpool……The Capital Of Culture 2008.