There is always another way to tell the same story. “Hello, BH. Good night, man. I came to say “uai”. At his third show in Belo Horizonte, the first of the “Got Back” tour, Paul McCartney didn’t deviate from the script. He even repeated the repertoire from the Brasília performance.
However, this in no way diminished the impact of seeing him back on stage (for a large part of the Arena MRV audience). Now, at the age of 81, Paul not only maintains his breath, but also his presence on stage that makes it different every time.
Not only his arena debut, but the stadium itself on its first night with a full house (42,000 spectators) was hot in every way (a lot that was felt by both the audience and clearly Paul himself). With the delay of over an hour (Paul took the stage at 9:09 p.m.), impatience was in the air.
The difference in size of the arena compared to Mineirão, where it hosted in 2013 and 2017, was quickly noticed. There were practically no free spaces in the track area. The only access to the stadium also delayed public entry.
But when the music gets louder, everything else disappears. The basic structure of the shows hardly changes. The almost 40 songs included the great classics, always omnipresent (“Hey Jude”, “Something”, “Band on the run”, “Live and let die”, “Let it be”).
The show grows when he talks in Portuguese about going back in time. The entire stadium accompanies him in “In Spite of All the Danger,” the first folkaccented song recorded by the Beatles. Liverpool, Cavern Club, 2023, an acoustic guitar and a chorus of “oooooooo”.
Soon after, we see how great Paul is. He stops the show and all the musicians come forward. In front of the stage there was a person who was unwell. Paul watches everything and only starts singing again (the song was “Love Me Do”) when the person has been taken care of and he is sure he can move on.
With a ukelele in hand, he played “Dance Tonight.” But the one who shone at that moment was drummer Abe Laboriel, who performed little dances and gestures.
The current band Paul “Wix” Wickens (keyboards), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar) has been with him for two decades. Competent and charismatic as their boss, they are supported on this tour by a brass trio that performs at certain times. In their first appearance, in “Letting Go,” they played offstage, above the chairs.
Tributes to George and John
The majority of the repertoire came from the Beatles. Although he also lists hits from Wings and his solo career, Paul also sang his most recent productions, such as “Come on to me” (2018).
There are many moments where lasers come out of the stage and dominate the stadium. The forecasts are also getting better. “Let’em in” features several bands taking part in parades and demonstrations around the world; in “Blackbird” and “Here today” the song, which he always dedicates to John Lennon, is suspended in a structure.
George Harrison appeared in several old photos on the big screen in Something, which was always dedicated to him. The Beatles in pictures during the recording of “Get Back”, which was published in the documentary of the same name by Peter Jackson, whom Paul thanked by name.
Before the encore, the Brazilian, British and LGBTQIA+ flags held by Paul and the band. John Lennon returns in the encore, in the now famous duet in “I’ve Got a Feel”, with his image from the band’s last performance in 1969.
After almost three hours of show (and no drinking water), Paul said goodbye with the obligatory shower of green and yellow shredded paper.
This Monday (April 12th) he returns to the last show at Arena MRV to tell a new story.
Until the 16th of this month, when he says goodbye to Brazil at the Maracana, 33 years after he debuted at the stadium in front of a record audience of his career (184,000 paying guests), Paul gives six more shows, the last in 2023. Plays alongside BH and Rio in São Paulo (December 7th, 9th and 10th) and Curitiba (December 13th). Tickets are only available for today’s performance at the arena.
Milton Nascimento receives an ovation from the audience
The evening began unexpectedly with a shower of affection. At around 8 p.m. Milton Nascimento appeared on the premium route. The recognition came quickly: “Bituca,” shouted the audience. The singer, who had already demonstrated his enthusiasm through videos on social media in recent days, came full circle this evening.
Before heading to a venue in the PCD area, he met with Paul McCartney backstage. It took 53 years for this to happen: “Para Lennon e McCartney”, lyrics by Fernando Brant to the music of Lô and Márcio Borges, was published by him in 1970 as the opening track of the album “Milton”.
The Paralamas were also in the audience Bi Ribeiro and João Barone on the track, Herbert Viana in one of the boxes.
PAUL MCCARTNEY BACK
This Monday (April 12th) at 8 p.m. in the Arena MRV, Rua Cristina Maria de Assis, 202
Entry: 4:00 p.m
Age classification: Children under 16 years only when accompanied by parents or legal guardians
Tickets: from R$240 (available at the event box office and at eventim.com.br).
Drinking water for personal use is permitted in bottles or cups made of flexible material.
Check out the setlist for Paul McCartney’s show in BH this Sunday (12/03).
Can’t Buy Me Love (The Beatles)
Junior’s Farm (Wings)
Let go (wings)
She’s a Woman (The Beatles)
I have to bring you into my life (The Beatles)
Come to me (Paul McCartney)
Let me roll it (Wings)
Getting Better (The Beatles)
Let ’em in (Wings)
My Valentine (Paul McCartney)
Nineteen EightyFive (Wings)
Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney)
I Just Saw a Face (The Beatles)
Despite all danger (The Beatles)
I Love Me (The Beatles)
Dance Tonight (Paul McCartney)
Blackbird (The Beatles)
Here Today (Paul McCartney)
New (Paul McCartney)
Lady Madonna (The Beatles)
Fuh you (Paul McCartney)
College/She can come in through the bathroom window (The Beatles)
jet (wing)
For the good of Mr. Kite! (The Beatles)
Something (The Beatles)
Obladi Oblada (The Beatles)
Band on the run (Wings)
Get Back (The Beatles)
Let It Be (The Beatles)
Live and let die (wings)
Hey Jude (The Beatles)
I have a feeling (The Beatles)
Birthday (The Beatles)
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (The Beatles)
Helter Skelter (The Beatles)
Golden Slumbers/The end (The Beatles)