Paul Wows the Apollo Theatre!

Now THIS is what makes for a Wonderful Christmastime!

Having reached the 20 million subscriber plateau, SIRIUS/XM satellite radio celebrated in grand fashion: exclusive concert event for its listenership, headlined by Sir Paul McCartney at New York’s legendary Apollo Theater. Tickets were awarded to listeners by drawing, but a goodly number of seats were obviously reserved for SIRIUS/XM personnel and dozens of VIP’s. Some of the guests included Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Little Steven, Tony Bennett, Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Alec Baldwin, Dennis Leary, Photographer Bob Gruen, Howard Stern, Duran Duran, John McEnroe, Patty Smyth, Jerry Seinfeld, Ben Stiller, Matt Damon, Cousin Brucie & Rob Thomas. In every way, SIRIUS/XM rolled out the red carpet for the event, giving complimentary commemorative t-shirts and lanyards to all attendees, as well as providing a pre-show open bar (beer, wine and soda) and complimentary all-vegetarian hors d’oeuvres (spring rolls, potato knishes, etc, but no tofu wings to report).

At 7:45, SIRIUS/XM’s CEO Mel Karmazin took to the on stage podium to welcome everyone. The concert began at 8:15 and ran exactly two hours, so it was about two-thirds of a “full” McCartney show as done on the recent “Up and Coming” tour. And while the set list drew heavily from the tour repertoire, there were a few surprises thrown in. We thought the set list was a super one and had a most amazing evening! Here it is:

Magical Mystery Tour
Jet
Drive My Car
All My Loving
One After 909 – a McCartney concert stage repertoire rarity (only previous post-Beatles performance was in 1995, as a duet with Elvis Costello)
Let Me Roll It / Foxy Lady (reprise)
The Long & Winding Road
Nineteen Hundred Eighty Five
Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul hadn’t done this favorite in a long time. Perhaps not coincidentally, he flubbed the piano intro. Semi-apologetically, he started over.
Blackbird
I’m Looking Through You – one of the rotating acoustic numbers done on this year’s “Up and Coming” tour
And I Love Her
Petrushka – an improvised Russian-style folk song performed on mandolin
Dance Tonight
Eleanor Rigby – This one sounded the best of the evening. Perhaps it was because Geoff Emerick, the Beatles original engineer on Revolver was on the board for the night.

Paul told of his affection for many of the acts that had graced the Apollo stage, and the band launched into a RED HOT version of Marvin Gaye’s classic “Hitch Hike”. The performance was enhanced by a team of long-haired, sparkling mini-skirted dancers. What a treat until the PA system got knocked out about midway through the take.  After a few short minutes and tweaks, the system was restored, and Paul and band started over.

Band On The Run
Obladi-Oblada
Back In The USSR
A Day In The Life / Give Peace A Chance
Let It Be
Hey Jude

For the first encore, Paul did the rarely performed (but quite appropriate) “Wonderful Christmastime”. An absolutely delightful performance, with the heavy-handed studio effects toned way down, making for a more straight-forward “rock band” delivery, embellished by the 20-strong Academy of Harlem Choir. Truly memorable.

The first encore was rounded out with a ripping version of “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Get Back”.

The second encore boasted “Yesterday” and an impromptu chorus of the “alternate” title, “Scrambled Eggs” (similar to the parody as performed with Jimmy Fallon on his late night show a week earlier). The set ended with the “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band / The End” medley.

As the house lights came up, the theater was showered with Christmas colored confetti. It was our first ever concert at the Apollo and it was an unforgettable evening.

The show was broadcast live on several of SIRIUS/XM’s channels, included in the month-long dedicated “Band On The Run” all-Macca channel. Encore performances kicked off at midnight following the show. There is another Encore this Saturday night at 8:00PM EST.

Thanks to Tom Frangione who assisted in this report from the Apollo.