The League of Austen Artists: Paul McCartney says new tour dates combining racing, history, homecoming

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Paul McCartney says new tour dates combining racing, history, homecoming

Steve Marinucci

, Paul McCartney Examiner

November 11, 2011

In a new interview posted on his official website, former Beatle Paul McCartney says he's looking forward to the new dates, including Abu Dhabi, because he's an Formula 1 racing fan.

"I think the particular excitement of going to Abu Dhabi is the F1 aspect. For me and particularly for some of the members of our crew who are F1 fans,” he said. Sunday's concert is being held in conjunction with the 2011 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.

McCartney said it won't be his first time at a Grand Prix." “Yeah, with The Beatles. I’ve been to Monaco. That was good but loud! Even louder than our show.”

In an interview with Time Out magazine, McCartney hinted the Abu Dhabi setlist might have some changes from past shows.

"These days with the social networks, everyone knows what our setlist is the minute we play it, so I always say to people now there’ll be a surprise element but I don’t want to give it away," the magazine quoted him.

He said he recalled his last show in Rome and said he was looking forward to being back there again. "I mean, being in Rome is always fantastic, but being in front of the Coliseum with half a million people enjoying a free show was fantastic," he said. "I can still remember the people on the balconies above the street. Having their dinner to the sound of our music!”

He'll also be returning to Russia, where the Beatles music was, at one time, prohibited. "It’s interesting because most places in the world weren’t denied The Beatles, so it’s strange that in some places The Beatles were illegal. It adds a certain fascination to realize that you are playing to a group of people that once weren’t allowed to listen to you.”

And he said going home and playing in Liverpool is special. This year's date will be a year to the day of last year's Liverpool show.

"It’s become a bit of a tradition, to have a bit of a homecoming. Obviously for me that’s Liverpool. Most of the people in the audience would be friends of mine. We love it, and the audience does too," he said.

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