Paul McCartney Live At Pepsi Center, Denver β Driving World Tour 2002
On 7 May 2002, Paul McCartney performed at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, during his hugely acclaimed Driving World Tour. The concert marked the 20th date of the massive world tour, which ran across North America, Europe, Mexico, and Japan between April and November 2002.
The Denver concert attracted approximately 14,700 fans and featured one of the strongest setlists of McCartney's modern touring career, blending Beatles classics, Wings favourites, solo hits, and material from his then-recent album Driving Rain.
The Driving World Tour Returns Paul McCartney To The Stage
The Driving World Tour was a hugely important moment in Paul McCartney's live career. Following the success of the Driving Rain album and the Concert For New York City in late 2001, McCartney returned to full-scale touring for the first time in years.
The tour quickly became one of the most celebrated rock tours of the early 2000s, praised for its emotional performances, extensive Beatles material, and McCartney's seemingly endless energy on stage.
For many fans attending the Denver show, it was the first opportunity in years to hear Beatles songs performed live by one of the original members of the band.
Paul McCartney's Touring Band In 2002
The lineup for the Driving World Tour became one of McCartney's most beloved touring bands:
- Paul βWixβ Wickens β vocals, keyboards, guitar, percussion, harmonica
- Brian Ray β vocals, guitar, bass
- Rusty Anderson β vocals, guitar
- Abe Laboriel Jr β vocals, drums
The chemistry between the musicians helped recreate the sound of The Beatles, Wings, and McCartney's solo catalogue with remarkable energy and precision.
Highlights From The Denver Performance
The concert opened with the Beatles classic Hello, Goodbye, immediately sending the Pepsi Center crowd into celebration mode.
Throughout the evening, McCartney balanced rock anthems like Jet, Band On The Run, and Live And Let Die with emotional moments including Here Today, his tribute to John Lennon, and a heartfelt rendition of George Harrison's Something.
Songs from Driving Rain, including Lonely Road, Driving Rain, and Your Loving Flame, sat comfortably alongside timeless Beatles standards.
The Denver audience also witnessed massive singalongs during Hey Jude, Let It Be, and Can't Buy Me Love, while the explosive pyrotechnics of Live And Let Die became one of the evening's defining visual moments.
Full Denver 2002 Setlist
- Hello, Goodbye
- Jet
- All My Loving
- Getting Better
- Coming Up
- Let Me Roll It
- Lonely Road
- Driving Rain
- Your Loving Flame
- Blackbird
- Every Night
- We Can Work It Out
- Mother Nature's Son
- Vanilla Sky
- You Never Give Me Your Money
- Carry That Weight
- The Fool On The Hill
- Here Today
- Something
- Eleanor Rigby
- Here, There And Everywhere
- Band On The Run
- Back In The USSR
- Maybe I'm Amazed
- C Moon
- My Love
- Can't Buy Me Love
- Freedom
- Live And Let Die
- Let It Be
- Hey Jude
- The Long And Winding Road
- Lady Madonna
- I Saw Her Standing There
- Yesterday
- Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
- The End
A Tour Celebrated By Beatles Fans Worldwide
The Driving World Tour earned rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Many praised McCartney's ability to perform nearly three-hour concerts while maintaining extraordinary vocal and musical quality.
The tour also became particularly emotional following the deaths of Linda McCartney and George Harrison. Songs such as Something and Here Today carried added emotional resonance throughout the performances.
For Denver fans, the 7 May 2002 concert remains one of the city's most memorable classic rock performances of the era.
Paul McCartney's Return Visits To Denver
McCartney later returned to Denver's Pepsi Center on 1 November 2005 during the US Tour, and again on 15 July 2010 during the Up And Coming Tour.
However, many fans still regard the 2002 Driving World Tour appearance as one of his finest performances at the venue.
The Legacy Of The Driving World Tour
The 2002 Driving World Tour helped redefine Paul McCartney's reputation as a live performer in the modern era.
Combining Beatles history, Wings classics, emotional storytelling, and modern production, the tour reminded audiences why McCartney remains one of the greatest songwriters and performers in music history.
More than two decades later, the Denver concert still stands as an unforgettable chapter in Paul McCartney's remarkable live legacy.
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Pepsi Center / Ball Arena Location
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Paul McCartney perform at the Pepsi Center in Denver?
Paul McCartney performed at the Pepsi Center in Denver on 7 May 2002 during the Driving World Tour.
What was the Driving World Tour?
The Driving World Tour was Paul McCartney's major 2002 global concert tour supporting the album Driving Rain.
Which Beatles songs did Paul McCartney perform in Denver?
The setlist included Beatles classics such as Hey Jude, Let It Be, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Lady Madonna, and All My Loving.
Who performed in Paul McCartney's band in 2002?
The touring band featured Wix Wickens, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, and Abe Laboriel Jr.
How many people attended the Denver concert?
Approximately 14,700 fans attended the Pepsi Center performance.
More from 7 May in Beatles History
See everything that happened on this date: 7 May in Beatles History.
1993 β Paul McCartney live at Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia | 1976 β Wings Live at Olympia Stadium Detroit | 1973 β Wings recording Zoo Gang
Explore more: Beatles Knowledge Hub | Paul McCartney: History, Songs & Legacy | Driving World Tour 2002 β Complete Tour History | Paul McCartney & Wings Collection | Beatles Clothing
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