Paul McCartney Live at Manchester Evening News Arena
Thursday 10 April 2003 | Live, Paul McCartney
On 10 April 2003, Paul McCartney performed at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England, as part of his Back In The World Tour.
The concert was the eighth date of the tour and the second of two consecutive nights in Manchester, during a 33-date European run between March and June 2003.
Back In The World Tour Context
The Back In The World Tour marked McCartney’s return to major international touring following the release of Driving Rain (2001), featuring a setlist spanning The Beatles, Wings, and solo material.
The Manchester shows were among the early UK highlights of the tour before major residency dates at Earls Court in London.
Band Line-Up
- Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, guitar, piano
- Paul “Wix” Wickens – keyboards, vocals, guitar, percussion, harmonica
- Rusty Anderson – guitar, vocals
- Brian Ray – guitar, bass, vocals
- Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums, vocals
This touring band continued McCartney’s modern live configuration, known for its versatility across multiple eras of his catalogue.
Setlist Overview
The Manchester performance featured a comprehensive career-spanning setlist including Beatles classics, Wings-era tracks, and solo material.
Key highlights included: ‘Jet’, ‘Band On The Run’, ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, ‘Live And Let Die’, ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Let It Be’, and ‘Yesterday’.
The show concluded with McCartney’s traditional closing sequence, ending with ‘The End’.
Manchester Evening News Arena Context
The Manchester Evening News Arena was one of the UK’s major indoor venues for large-scale touring acts, hosting multiple McCartney performances across different decades.
McCartney would later return to the venue in 2011 during his On The Run Tour.
Location
Victoria Station Approach
Manchester M3 1AR
United Kingdom
Location Map
Tour Context
The Back In The World Tour ran from March to June 2003, covering major arenas and stadium-style venues across Europe.
It reinforced McCartney’s position as a dominant live performer in the post-Beatles era, with consistently large-scale productions and multi-decade setlists.
Also on This Day in Beatles History
10 April is one of the most significant dates in Beatles history. Here's what else happened:
- 10 April 1961 – The Beatles live at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg
- 10 April 1962 – Stuart Sutcliffe, original Beatles bassist, dies in Hamburg
- 10 April 1964 – The Beatles’ Second Album released in the US
- 10 April 1964 – The Beatles filming A Hard Day’s Night at Twickenham
- 10 April 1965 – The Beatles film Top Of The Pops at Riverside Studios
- 10 April 1967 – Paul McCartney records with The Beach Boys
- 10 April 1970 – George Harrison BBC Fact Or Fantasy interview
- 10 April 1970 – Paul McCartney announces the Beatles split
- 10 April 1970 – The Beatles’ final Apple press release
- 10 April 1972 – FBI surveillance of John Lennon ordered
- 10 April 2002 – Paul McCartney live at United Center, Chicago
- 10 April 2011 – The Beatles’ first contract goes to auction
- 10 April 2019 – Ringo Starr All-Starr Band live in Amagasaki
FAQ
When did Paul McCartney play at Manchester MEN Arena?
10 April 2003, as part of the Back In The World Tour.
What tour was this?
The Back In The World Tour, which ran from March to June 2003 across Europe.
Who was in McCartney’s band?
Paul “Wix” Wickens, Rusty Anderson, Brian Ray, and Abe Laboriel Jr.
Explore more Beatles history: The Beatles Knowledge Hub | On This Day in Beatles History
Shop Paul McCartney & Wings merchandise: Paul McCartney & Wings Collection
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