Yesterday: Paul McCartney Concert

I attended the Paul McCartney concert last night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Besides my most recent Urban Outfitters purchase, it was the best $100 I’ve spent in a while.

I went with my cousins Kaitlin and Blair. ‘Twas Blair’s last minute decision to buy the tickets. She ordered them off Stubhub.com, a website where people can buy and sell concert tickets. Here is a photo of my cousins relieved that the stubhub transaction was not a scam. Blair [L] Kaitlin [R]

My father and Kaitlin and Blair’s mother are siblings, hence our cousinship. During their younger years, our parents listened to the Beatles and continued to do so as we grew up.

We sat in section 108 in right field. I got the end seat which was pleasant. I wasn’t hotdogged in between anyone. Next to me was Blair; next to her, Kaitlin. Paul started to play at 8:15pm. He opened with the song Magical Mystery Tour. The crowd went wild as if they were rabid, undomesticated koalas.

When the music started, Kaitlin, Blair and I got out of our chairs. Everyone stood including the two leather vest wearing couples in front of us. We clapped and danced. We rhythmically moved our hips from side to side. I squeezed Blair’s hand in excitement. It was great. Suddenly, we heard yelling coming from behind us. A new couple had arrived. The woman was 5’5 in height with dark tiny ringlet hair. Her husband stood with his arms crossed. She screamed at us, “Sit down.” She motioned her hands as if she were dribbling two imaginary basketballs. “Sit down”. Blair, Kaitlin and I looked at each other with eyes saying, “Are you serious?”. If the crowd’s momentum was being measured by a cartoon thermometer, the entire thing would be shaded red. The whole staduim was standing up. She also told the leather vested couples in the row in front of us to sit. With those two words, my mood was ruined. I was mad at the woman. The cartoon thermometer’s red shading dropped as our butts hit the cushioned Yankee Stadium seat. We were forced to sit the entire concert. Every time others stood, I sat in fear of getting yelled at. We stood during the last few songs of the concert.

On the car ride home, Kaitin, Blair and I discussed the “sit down” event. We are very understanding people. I once saw my cab driver doze off and did not say anything because I didn’t want to make him feel bad. We realize it was not a “general admission” concert. Every ticket buyer is entitled to sit if they want to. If the woman approached us in a different manner, or asked us nicely to “please sit”, we would have been less insulted. It was the first song of the concert and everyone was so excited, hence standing. Not many people enjoy being yelled at. Especially when you’re in the middle of having a good time.

It took forty minutes and 15 songs to bring me out of my getting-yelled-at-depression [GYAD]. It was 85 degrees out and my pants were wet with sweat, but listening to McCartney sing Hey Jude, Yesterday, Lady Madonna, Eleanor Rigby and Blackbird was spirit-raising.

Blair and I have a history of crying at concerts due to the emotion songs bring us. We made a bet out of the two of us, who would cry first. My chances weren’t high, considering I cried at JingleBall 2000 after hearing JC Chasez sing Blowin’ Me Up (With Her Love). I lost the bet halfway into the concert when McCartney sang, I Will. I sobbed.

Paul McCartney has a lot of fans. It was weird to think they were all standing on the Yankeee’s field.


We were thirsty after the concert. Kaitlin brought a fountain diet coke. I had a sip. It was the best sip of diet coke I’ve ever had.

Forgot to mention I saw this weird sign on the drive to the Bronx. It read, “Becky this is your future self. Just sayin’ hi.” I can’t believe my future self abbreviates the word “saying”.

Blair gave her concert review in the form of  a “thumbs up”.

Kaitlin took a stellar photo of myself and Blair’s chin.

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0 thoughts on “Yesterday: Paul McCartney Concert

  1. Um. Yeah, that sign is bizarre. If my name were Becky, I’d be freakin’ out (and I do believe they abbreviate “freakin'” in the future…

    😉

    People can be such poops. Plain and simple. I’m so glad you found the strength to enjoy the concert despite your neighbors poopiness.

    1. hahahah. Well my name is Becky, so you would understand why I was so freaked out. In reality, I just photoshopped it. Thanks for reading my blog! I have checked your out before 😉 creepy wink.

  2. Great to hear you had a good concert!

    Shame about the “sit down” lady, she sounds delightful. I have been to concerts where people stand up and to be fair, you have as much right to stand up as she has to sit down and I would excercise my right to stand. If I was the only one stood up and maybe waving a flag and blocking the view then I can understand why people might be a little upset. I appreciate it’s easier said than done with some people.

    Crying at a concert is good. I find I have spent many years listening to certain songs and by watching them performed live you stir up all the emotion attached don’t you!

  3. I have been absent from your blog lately…mostly due to being in a winter of my own discontent; however, this entry raised my spirit to new heights!

    YAY PAUL MCCARTNEY! YAY BECKY!

  4. I saw David Bowie on the Reality tour — it was the same sort of thing. The guy’s up there on stage, you know he’s been doing this since before the dawn of time, so he’s great at it, the stage is his home court and he’s completely happy up there, and the music was out of this world fabulous.

  5. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed, you deserve it, your blog never fails to make me laugh.

    P.S. Your photos still look like they were taken by a hipster.

  6. Thank you so much for sharing! I have a ticket to see him at Wrigley Field in two weeks and I’m even more excited now. It’ll be the first time I’ve ever seen him live.

  7. What a wonderful blog post. Love all the photos.
    I saw the Beatles when I was 12 at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium which is long gone.
    My husband saw Paul in Hamburg when he first started Wings with Linda. He is so generous and gives the most amazing shows. Lucky ladies to have been there.
    Too bad you had the “sit down” lady what a bummer. Maybe she might have had a better time is she had just stood up, shook her hips, loosened up. lightened up and just danced.

  8. Great to hear the show was rad… I’m going to see Paul at Wrigley Field in Chicago at the end of July and am looking forward to the show even more so now!

  9. I had a similar experience at a Taiko drumming concert – the woman sitting next to me chastised me for moving to the beat and it ruined my mood for quite a while. I mean, how can you listen to this and NOT MOVE?!? Why should WE be punished because some people just don’t get it?

    1. Maybe they could have a dancers, movers, shakers section at all concerts.

      best section in house.
      🙂

      How can you sit and not move when listening to music?

      :0

  10. Indeed, you are a lucky woman as i also have never been to a Paul McCartney Concert either. It is actually true that he is a generous performer, always worth your money watching him live.

  11. Next time don’t sit! You are correct everyone has a right to sit; But everyone also has a right to stand. It isn’t the symphony. It is a rock ‘n roll concert with one of the best musicians/rockers ever. Think what would the artist want? They want everyone to stand! I’ve had that happen many of times. I usually stand unless a way slow song, then I sit. Sorry to hear that happened! I’ve seen him twice and he ROCKS!

  12. Terrific post! Just goes to show that great music is timeless! Many musicians come and go, but true talent crosses the generations. By the way, I admire Paul McCartney not just because he is a great musician, but he is also a tireless animal advocate with a big heart. His music rocks, and his kindness to animals is super awesome!! I would have loved to be there (even sitting down). Oh well, sounds like you still had an awesome time anyway. 🙂

  13. I was actually at a rooftop party across the river. I could hear Paul McCartney and saw the fireworks. It was pretty cool. Wish I could’ve been there!

  14. Good to hear! You will DEFINITELY enjoy. It was amazing. Couldn’t ask for a better show from him. He is still a great performer.

  15. What a wonderful blog post. Love all the photos.
    I saw the Beatles when I was 12 at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium which is long gone.
    My husband saw Paul in Hamburg when he first started Wings with Linda. He is so generous and gives the most amazing shows. Lucky ladies to have been there.
    Too bad you had the “sit down” lady what a bummer. Maybe she might have had a better time is she had just stood up, shook her hips, loosened up. lightened up and just danced.
    ReplyNext time don’t sit! You are correct everyone has a right to sit; But everyone also has a right to stand. It isn’t the symphony. It is a rock ‘n roll concert with one of the best musicians/rockers ever. Think what would the artist want? They want everyone to stand! I’ve had that happen many of times. I usually stand unless a way slow song, then I sit. Sorry to hear that happened! I’ve seen him twice and he ROCKS!

  16. At the beginning of life, many children are fostered into this world with the loving arms of their parents. These little organisms are cared for with the delicacy that is hard to describe, but I’ll compare it to your first new car. You don’t really want anyone else to touch it, get too close to it, and yet you want everyone to experience it and you want to show it off. Unless your first new car was like mine, not yet to purchased… While many of us were fortunate to have two parents to love them, some of us only had one, and some of us at first had none. It’s so easy to take for granted that your parents will always be there for you as a child, but many children grow up a different way. Some times the situation doesn’t allow for the biological parents to be a part of the picture at all. All I know is that the people who provide you with that love that you need to have a chance of pursuing your happiness, those are your parents and you love them with all you got. Once you’re a teenager it’s a crapshoot as to who’s going to survive into the early adult years, and who is going to just make one too many mistakes. I know we all see this happening. It’s kinda like the season finale of Power Rangers… you knew one of them wasn’t going to make it to the next year. Teenage life is amazing. So unstable, and yet so beautiful. Like Tequlia… we all have our Tequila story. And notice how I said story, because most of the time (like 98% of the time) we learn from that one time and never do what we did with Tequila again. So, when we made it, we survived our teenage years, we decided to answer the calling of our nation. We wanted to get more education like our parents encouraged us to do, and the government encouraged us to do. However, it’s the debt and the excessive prices of private colleges that leave me scratching my head. I just don’t get how colleges can charge $55,000 a year (8 months of school). It’s ludacris how much debt young adults are having to live with. It’s like they attach a boulder to your back and tell you to swim a mile… Not happening with out an oxygen tank. But where is our scuba gear I ask?!! The government could be seen as this literally, but they are slacking. I talk to my friends now and it really does take a toll on how they live their lives. Many of them tell me, “If I had a choice I wouldn’t have gone to this school.” But the marketing is great. The concept is ever greater. You give students a nice financial package early on, like freshmen year. You give them more than half in grants, and then their second year give them about half in grants. These grants you don’t have to pay back, but when their last years come around and they are so invested in the school (already made friends, half way through their major to earn their degree, use to that school) then the schools give you less than half in grants and you’re forced to take out the loans. The big loans, and come graduation, you owe $60,000 and more! It’s a sad picture to see painted, but it’s even sadder when it’s a self-portrait. I should make it clear that I understand that education is valuable, and I’m not asking for people to feel sorry for us, but many countries know the true value of education and provide free

  17. Great review! The whole “sit down” incident is pretty unfortunate though. I’ve gotten the “i can’t see the stage, you’re too tall!” at general admission shows and I now how obnoxious that can be. I’m sure this person could has seen the screen just fine even if you were standing

  18. Sit down . . . indeed! “You understand this is McCartney, right? Have you looked at the crowd? Stand in the friggin’ aisle if you can’t see, ’cause I’m not sittin’ until the rest of the stadium sits!”

    Man, I wasn’t even there and that gets me riled. Glad you had a great time :^)

  19. I’m glad I stumbled on to your blog. My wife and I are going with friends to see him a week from this Sunday in Chicago. Reading your insight into your experience is only making me more and more eager to see him.

  20. Right on ! I saw Sir Paul in 1975 at the San Diego sports arena. Back when he didn’t play any Beatles tunes except Hey Jude, back when Linda was on keyboards. I can still remember the black sequined jacket he wore, and the way the lights sent rainbows everywhere. Whata show.

  21. I would have said Its A concert everyone is standing if you dont like it… go home!! you paid to be there too… the old hag didn’t own the stadium or Paul McCartney! So she can sit down!Ha Ha!!

  22. been to three of his concerts, in Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia, and one in Kiyev, Ukraine.. all of them were great! and I think I understand how you feel 🙂

  23. There’s nothing more upsetting than unhappy people making others unhappy. I’m glad you still could enjoy the last part of the concert and got out of your “GYAD”. And I’m sure that being Freshly Pressed is making up for it 🙂

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