Paul McCartney Live: Piazza del Colosseo, Rome – 11 May 2003
Paul McCartney performed a free open-air concert at the Piazza del Colosseo in Rome, Italy, on 11 May 2003 as part of his Back In The World Tour — one of the most spectacular and historically resonant performances of his solo career.
The show took place directly outside the historic Colosseum, following a special charity performance held inside the monument the previous evening for an audience of approximately 400 guests. The public concert drew a significantly larger crowd to one of Rome's most iconic locations.
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Touring Band
McCartney was accompanied by his long-established touring band:
- Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, guitar
- Paul "Wix" Wickens – keyboards, vocals, guitar, percussion, harmonica
- Brian Ray – guitar, bass, vocals
- Rusty Anderson – guitar, vocals
- Abe Laboriel Jr – drums, vocals
Concert Setlist
- Hello, Goodbye
- Jet
- All My Loving
- Getting Better
- Let Me Roll It
- Lonely Road
- Your Loving Flame
- Blackbird
- Every Night
- We Can Work It Out
- You Never Give Me Your Money
- Carry That Weight
- The Fool On The Hill
- Here Today
- Something
- Eleanor Rigby
- Here, There And Everywhere
- I've Just Seen A Face
- Calico Skies
- Two Of Us
- Michelle
- Band On The Run
- Back In The USSR
- Let 'Em In
- My Love
- She's Leaving Home
- Can't Buy Me Love
- Birthday
- Let It Be
- Hey Jude
- The Long And Winding Road
- Lady Madonna
- Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu
- I Saw Her Standing There
- Yesterday
- Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
- The End
Tour Context
This performance marked the 24th date of the Back In The World Tour, which ran for 33 shows between March and June 2003, spanning Europe and the UK. It was McCartney's first major global tour of the 2000s, combining Beatles classics, Wings material and solo work in large-scale stadium and landmark performances.
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FAQs
Was this a free concert?
Yes, the 11 May 2003 performance at Piazza del Colosseo was a free public concert.
Did McCartney perform inside the Colosseum?
Yes, he performed a separate charity show inside the Colosseum the night before for around 400 guests.
Which tour was this part of?
It was part of the Back In The World Tour, which ran from March to June 2003.
Who was in McCartney's band?
His band included Wix Wickens, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, and Abe Laboriel Jr.
Location: Piazza del Colosseo, Rome
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