Paul McCartney live: Kölnarena, Cologne
Sunday 27 April 2003 | Live | Cologne, Germany
Overview
On 27 April 2003, Paul McCartney performed at the Kölnarena in Cologne as part of his Back In The World Tour. The concert marked the first of two consecutive nights in the city, showcasing McCartney's continued dominance as a live performer decades after The Beatles.
The Kölnarena — located in the Deutz district of Cologne — is one of Germany's largest indoor arenas, with a capacity of up to 19,000. McCartney's two-night stand reflected the strength of demand for his live shows across Germany in the early 2000s.
Tour Context
The Back In The World Tour spanned March to June 2003 and represented one of McCartney's most extensive European runs of the early 21st century. The tour followed the hugely successful Driving World Tour of 2002 and continued to draw on the same core band and production setup.
Band Line-Up
- Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, guitars, piano
- Rusty Anderson – guitar, vocals
- Brian Ray – guitar, bass, vocals
- Abe Laboriel Jr – drums, vocals
- Paul “Wix” Wickens – keyboards, harmonica, vocals
Performance Notes
The Kölnarena show followed the tour's established structure: high-energy rock openers, an acoustic mid-set segment, and a closing sequence built around large-scale audience anthems including Hey Jude and Let It Be. The acoustic section typically featured Blackbird, Yesterday, and Here Today — McCartney's tribute to John Lennon.
Venue Location
FAQs
What tour was this part of?
The Back In The World Tour, which ran from March to June 2003 across Europe.
How many nights did McCartney play in Cologne?
Two consecutive nights — 27 and 28 April 2003.
What was the typical setlist structure?
High-energy rock openers, an acoustic mid-set segment featuring Blackbird and Yesterday, and a closing run of anthems including Hey Jude and Let It Be.
Editorial Note
By 2003, McCartney's live identity had fully evolved into a legacy-scale touring act — blending Beatles-era catalogue with modern touring production, while maintaining a consistent setlist architecture that could sustain stadium and arena demand worldwide.
Also on 27 April in Beatles History
- Paul McCartney Live at Madison Square Garden – 27 April 2002
- McCartney & McCartney II Reissue Announcement – 27 April 2011
- View all events on 27 April in Beatles History
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