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Inspired: Paul McCartney after his ICA gig. He played a dozen Beatles songs in an emotionally charged performance
He recently played an LA record store and Camden's Electric Ballroom. But as Sir Paul McCartney concerts go this was as intimate as it gets, and there was actually a feeling of disbelief as he launched into Drive My Car.
It was announced that tens of thousands had tried to get tickets. But with just 300 competition winners, and a few dozen more fans with the right connections, it was almost as cosy as being in McCartney's front room. And at one point that almost seemed possible.
"Great party huh?," he said after Wings' Let Me Roll It. "All back to mine then."
In fact, once McCartney alighted on the idea that this was a "little party", he didn't shut up about it. But as the host, at least his music selection was largely inspired, with a dozen Beatles songs over 90 minutes.
It will be interesting to see if any end up on iTunes, as these festival sets are being recorded throughout July for sale at the online music store.
With the Fab Four's music still unavailable for download, it would be quite something if you could buy those songs being performed by a former Beatle from iTunes.
In the short term, it's more likely they'll end up on YouTube, as fans took the chance to film a genuine music legend on cameras and mobiles. Others just declared their love for him. At 65, McCartney opted to appear slightly bemused to be getting such adoration. He was consistently chatty, though, informing us what DVD he last watched (Steven Spielberg's Munich) and even getting on to the weather.
His new album, Memory Almost Full, has sold pretty well and, playing a mandolin, he got a good reaction to the recent single Dance Tonight while That Was Me erupted into a rocking nostalgia trip. However, the stodgy, overblown House of Wax was just awful.
There was also some unwelcome rock posturing from his band, a ghastly guitar solo on Let It Be, and can anyone take Wings' Jet seriously after Alan Partridge punched the air to it?
But overall this was a generous, emotionally charged performance of superlative songs, including the acoustic Blackbird, a rousing Get Back and Here Today, dedicated to John Lennon, Linda McCartney and George Harrison.
The encore of I Saw Her Standing There was like rediscovering the blueprint to British rock.
And if The Long and Winding Road felt hemmed in by the venue, Hey Jude was an arm-waving, classic sing-along with McCartney pounding the piano.
Perhaps it's not too late for Al Gore to get him on the bill for Live Earth tomorrow.
www.itunesfestival.com
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
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A small gig like this was a treat. Forget fame, fortune and superstardom. Paul came over as an ordinary guy doing the thing that he loves most, which is playing music he likes with people he likes to people who want to hear it. Talking before the show my friend was saying how in many ways its the rock and roll that Paul does best and he kept returning to it throughout the show with numbers like Matchbox, That Was Me (from the new album) and I Saw Her Standing There. As winning guests we were treated so well with a free t-shirt and free iTunes downloads. So, thank you iTunes, Paul and the band (who are superb musicians) and all the ICA staff.
- Francis Bunker, United Kingdom
A fantastic performance, by Paul and his band. So lucky to be there as a competition winner. Such stamina for a 65 year old! There is hope for us all. A night I will not forget.
Have to put my hand up and admit that it was the guest I took along that professed her love for Paul - just can't take her anywhere!
- Sue, Kent
It's great to able to say, I was there! And it was so brilliant! It's amazing to see a band that performs in front of thousands to give such a great show in front of 300, so intimate and special and he was in a great mood!
- Chiara Meattelli, London
