Maybe I’m amazed? No, I was astonished
Neither Paul McCartney or the newly unveiled TD Coliseum disappointed when I was among a sold-out crowd for the grand opening of Hamilton’s downtown arena.
Rock ‘n’ roll royalty came to Hamilton last evening when Sir Paul McCartney graced the stage at 8:15 p.m. for a voracious crowd during the unveiling of the newly renovated TD Coliseum at York and Bay.
The former Beatles and Wings frontman opened with “Help” in what would almost be a three-hour musical journey of hit songs from an iconic musical catalogue on his current Got Back tour.
“Well, hello Hamilton. It’s great to be back,” said McCartney. “I got a feeling we’re going to have some fun in here tonight. We have some old songs, some new songs and some in between songs for you.”
It was July 2016 when McCartney last played Hamilton at the former First Ontario Centre. Ironically, it was the former venue that was in dire need of help – and a facelift, not the then-74-year-old legend.
In June 2023, Shania Twain played one of the last shows in Hamilton at the former venue – one I still nostalgically refer to as Copps Coliseum. Twain stopped in the steel city on her Queen of Me Tour before the venue was shut down for a $300-million renovation.
Last night I sat in section 222, row 2, seat 22, almost exactly where I last sat during one of the final shows at First Ontario Centre.
I didn’t even recognize the venue. The transformation has been nothing short of incredible. It is the ultimate space to enhance the ultimate fan experience. Everything is new, from floor to ceiling. The vibe in TD Coliseum was palpable.
From the posh glassed-in Rogers Club, the Steel City beer and cocktail bars, to the spacious seating inside the venue, the TD Coliseum – and Sir McCartney – did not disappoint.
“You know, this is such a cool crowd,” said McCartney. “I’m going to take a moment to drink it all in for myself,” as he stood centre stage, admiring the sold-out crowd, all on their feet.
The crowd was drinking it all in, too. And a cool setlist it was. The spry 83-year old played non-stop, stopping only for a five-minute break before McCartney and his incredible band came back out for an encore. McCartney came back onstage waving a Canadian flag during a sing-along evening of incredible hits, from the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” to the Wings classic “Band on the Run.”
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“As a younger Beatles fan, this was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and the show was absolutely phenomenal,” said Aleksandra Manojlovic, a fan who travelled to the show from Niagara Falls, Ont. “Getting to hear so many of the greatest hits live was so surreal. Something I’ll never forget.”
The sold-out crowd won’t forget this evening either. McCartney paid homage to the late John Lennon and George Harrison and dedicated “My Valentine,” a song to his wife Nancy, who Paul said “is here tonight in attendance.”
The entire evening was a highlight reel, however, the explosive pyrotechnics during “Live and Let Die” paired with the accompaniment of the Paris-Port Dover Pipe Band supplying backup during the “Mull of Kintyre,” brought the crowd to their feet – where most remained for the epic show.
After McCartney sang “Here Today,” a song he wrote in dedication to the late John Lennon, it was evident the loss of his friend 45 years ago still lingered with emotion, as a tear hung in his eye.
“I love you, John,” Paul said.
Sir Paul, we love you, too. There is absolutely no doubt TD Coliseum and Paul McCartney left us all in a state of amazement.
