Paul McCartney in Paris

Paul McCartney

Bercy, Paris

10 December 2009

On 10 December 2009 I saw Paul McCartney in Paris as part of his 'Good Evening Europe' tour.

This wasn't just any normal concert though. My mate Anita and I decided to spend just over £1000 for the VIP Sound Check package and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we've ever made.

Me just after recieving my Macca laminate for the sound check!

Anita and I travelled to Paris on the day of the concert. Anita flew in from Newcastle and I got the Eurostar. Anita got into Paris slightly earlier than me and was waiting for me at the end of my platform when I got off the Eurostar. Our adventure had begun.

Armed with a number of maps and directions we managed to get the right Metro line and found our hotel without too much trouble. We checked in and started to prepare ourselves for the evening ahead.

The Bercy Arena was in walking distance of our hotel and we found it quite easily. We had a wander around the Arena and at 3pm there were quite a few people queuing to get in already. the atmosphere was building.

As we had the VIP sound check package we didn't have to queue up. We had been sent our itinery for the evening and had to be at the Pullman Bercy hotel at 4-15pm for a private champagne reception and to collect our Paul McCartney laminates that would give us access to the sound check.

Upon entering the reception I spotted the exclusive Macca tour blankets we would receive as part of our package and I statred to get really excited. We were given our laminates and tickets and were told that we'd be setting off for the Arena around 5-15pm. Anita and I were so giddy, it was just too exciting.

Making our way to the coach that would drop us at the Bercy we were handed our blankets. Fabulous!!

Once at the Arena we were taken through a side entrance and given instructions. We were told we could take photo's but no recordings would be allowed. We were taken to the seats in the Arena and sat watching the crew finish setting up the lights and stuff for the evenings performance.

Abe was playing the drums as we sat down in our seats and we spotted Brian Ray walking to the sound desk. A short while later both Brian and Abe came to see us. There were just 24 of us in the sound check group and Brian and Abe took time out to chat and have photo's taken with us all. It was an amazing experience. I'd wanted to meet Brian for ages. Another dream fulfilled.

We were handed our programmes for the show then told that Paul McCartney was in the building!!! It was around 6pm by now.

Me meeting Abe and Brian at Sound Check!!

The group of 24 of us were taken down to the arena floor from the seats. Shelley, the lady who dealt with VIP tickets told us that Paul liked to see people dancing at sound check and from the moment Paul appeared on stage that's just what we did.

Sound Check

I can't remember all the songs that Paul sang at sound check because I was just too damn excited but I do remember he did Yesterday, C Moon, Coming Up, Something, And I Love Her, I Saw Her Standing There and San Francisco Bay. When he got his Ukelele out he sang the George Formby number 'Leaning on a Lampost' which was fun. Also a man in our group shouted to Paul that it was his birthday so Paul sang Happy Birthday to him and 'For he's a jolly good fellow'. The man started crying, he was so overwhelmed!

The sound check lasted about an hour and it was an amazing experience to watch Paul as part of such an intimate group.

The gig!!!

After the sound check we were thrilled to discover that we were allowed to stay in the Arena and before the doors opened for the rest of the fans to come in we were able to make our way to the front of the stage. Anita and I couldn't believe our luck as we positioned ourselves right in front of Paul's microphone and made ourselves comfy leaning against the barrier.

When the doors were opened I turned around to see a huge crowd come running in, making their way to the front. It was kinda scary to have all these people running towards you at high speed. Now I know how The Beatles must've felt being chased by crowds of screaming girls!!

We were so excited now. It was around 7-30pm. The ticket said the show was due to start at 8pm but we knew it wasn't going to be that early as the Arena was taking a while to fill up. We watched the video screens which showed various piccies and played music throughout Paul's career and I was just getting more and more excited.

At 9pm Paul McCartney walked on stage!!!!

The band launched into Magical Mystery Tour and the next 3 hours flew by as Paul and the band belted out hit after hit as the French crowd went wild. Everyone in the Arena had a great time. I remember Paul saying to the crowd 'Have you had a good time'? and then saying almost immediately 'I think you have'.

The atmosphere was amazing and being so close to Paul was awesome. Paul actually looked down at me and Anita a number of times which was extra cool. It was the icing on the cake after such a wonderful day.

Paul, thank you for the music................................

Me on the big screen!

I saw the camera filming the crowd and showing the images on the big screen on the stage. As it went past me I clicked my camera at the screen and caught a real good shot of myself...............and Wix on keyboards!!!

Paris Set List

01. Magical Mystery Tour 02. Drive my car 03. Jet 04. Only Mama Knows 05. Flaming Pie 06. Got to get you into my life 07. Let Me roll it 08. Foxy Lady 09. Highway 10. The Long and Winding Road 11. I want to Come Home 12. My Love 13. Blackbird 14. Here Today 15. Dance tonight 16. And I love Her 17. Mrs Vanderbilt 18. Michelle 19. Eleanor Rigby 20. Band on the run 21. Ob-la-di, ob-la-da 22. Sing the changes 23. Back in the USSR 24. Something 25. I've got a feeling 25. I've got a feeling extended jam 26. Paperback Writer 27.Paperback Writer extended jam 28. A Day in the Life 29.Give Peace a chance 30. Let it Be 31. Live and Let Die 32. Hey Jude

First Encore: 33. Day Tripper 34. Lady Madonna 35. Get back

Second Encore: 36. Yesterday 37. Helter Skelter 38. Sgt Pepper's Reprise 39. The End

And in the end........Rach n Anita. Worn out and very happy!!!