Sir Paul McCartney has confirmed he’s coming to Australia and New Zealand for a series of concerts for the first time in 24 years. The 75-year-old former Beatle confirmed the tour dates in a live Facebook interview with Australian entertainer, Tim Minchin.
The long-awaited tour will play at massive venues around Australia, starting in Perth on December 2, then Melbourne on December 5, Brisbane on December 9, Sydney on December 11 and over to Auckland on December 16. Tickets for the general public go on sale on July 4.
McCartney said he’s “very excited” because he hasn’t been out here for a long time. “I’m really looking forward to it… We’ve been waiting to get back to Australia and New Zealand for years and now it’s finally happening,” he said.
McCartney last toured Australia in 1993. He was scheduled to tour again in 2002, but cancelled the shows in the wake of the Bali bombings.
These shows in Australia and New Zealand form part of McCartney’s One On One world tour, which started in April last year. So far, McCartney’s played to over 1.2 million people in 13 countries. The concerts include songs from throughout his stellar career – from his Beatles days through to Wings classics and lastly to his recent work with artists such as Kanye West.
People may be wondering if this 75-year-old legend still has what it takes to keep a massive stadium of people entertained? Here’s what Time Out New York had to say about McCartney's One On One tour when he played in the States late last year:
To an extent, you know what you’re gonna get from a Paul McCartney show: total professionalism from one of the most gifted and agreeable musicians of the last hundred years. But does that account for the moment Macca comes onstage, you realize you’re looking at a Beatle, and you forget to breathe? Or the grizzled sonics of his genuinely rocking young band? It does not. This is truly must-see viewing, take our word for it.
McCartney in concert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, drawing on his vast catalogue to really put on a show
There are some true highlights for all Beatles fans as well. The tour marks the first time McCartney has performed 'A Hard Day’s Night' as a solo artist. Historically, this is the first time this song has been performed by a Beatle in more than 50 years.
Why does he still do it?
When asked why he still tours, McCartney said: “It’s just because I really like it. It’s a big operation these days – we have 140 people to set it all up. We get on very well and it’s like a family reunion. I think it’s very exciting and the audiences are very warm these days.”
Asked if he likes to have a drink before the show, McCartney said he doesn’t like to eat or drink much before he goes on stage: “I used to try drinking alcohol but it didn’t work – I’d just forget the lyrics!” he laughed.
He added that his fondest memories of his last tour in Australia were of the wildlife… “because we don’t have kangaroos or koalas. So we went to a zoo, me and the kids, and were able to hold a little, peaceful koala. And seeing a bunch of kangaroos hopping by the roadside, which is fairly surreal for me.”
McCartney will be bringing his 'One On One' tour to Australia this summer
What’s his favourite album?
When asked what’s his favourite album that he’s worked on he said: “It really is a difficult question because they change – your favourites – and also they’re like your children – you don’t want to have a favourite…
“This year, it’s got to be Sgt. Peppers because I’m listening to it because it’s re-released after 50 years… But I do like Rubber Soul and Band On The Run.”
Paul McCartney’s 'One On One' tour dates for Australia and New Zealand are:
- Perth at the NIB Stadium on December 2
- Melbourne at the AAMI Park on December 5
- Brisbane at the Suncorp stadium on December 9
- Sydney at the Qudos Bank arena on December 11
- Auckland at the Mt Smart stadium on December 16
Tickets for the general public go on sale on July 4.
What's your favourite Paul McCartney song?
Read more:
- Happy 50th birthday Sgt. Pepper!
- Young at Heart: the eternal charm of Frank Sinatra and Doris Day
- Where are they now? Mark Seymour
Image credit: (in-text) Alexander Mazurkevich / Shutterstock.com