Paul McCartney live: Kölnarena, Cologne (28 April 2003)

April 26, 2026

Paul McCartney live: Kölnarena, Cologne

Monday 28 April 2003 | Back In The World Tour | Cologne, Germany

Overview

On 28 April 2003, Paul McCartney performed at the Kölnarena (now Lanxess Arena) in Cologne, Germany — the second of two consecutive nights in the city during the Back In The World Tour. The first Cologne night had taken place on 27 April 2003.

The concert formed part of a 33-date European tour running from March to June 2003, which itself followed the North American Driving World Tour of 2002.

Touring Band

Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, guitar, piano
Paul “Wix” Wickens – keyboards, vocals
Brian Ray – guitar, bass, vocals
Rusty Anderson – guitar, vocals
Abe Laboriel Jr – drums, vocals

Setlist Highlights

The setlist spanned McCartney's entire career, including Beatles classics, Wings-era material, and solo work. Highlights included:

Hello, Goodbye
Jet
All My Loving
Eleanor Rigby
Band on the Run
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude
The Long and Winding Road
Yesterday
The End

Tour Context

The Back In The World Tour was the European counterpart to the 2002 Driving World Tour, using the same band, production, and largely the same setlist. It marked McCartney's first extensive European touring since the 1990s and was received with widespread critical acclaim.

The Kölnarena — one of Germany's largest indoor arenas with a capacity of up to 20,000 — was a fitting venue for the scale of the production.

Venue Location

FAQs

What was the Back In The World Tour?

A 33-date European tour in 2003, the international counterpart to the 2002 Driving World Tour. It used the same band and production, running from March to June 2003.

How many nights did McCartney play in Cologne?

Two consecutive nights — 27 and 28 April 2003 — at the Kölnarena.

What is the Kölnarena?

Now known as the Lanxess Arena, it is one of Germany's largest indoor arenas with a capacity of up to 20,000. It is located in central Cologne.

What album did the tour support?

Primarily Driving Rain (2001), though the setlist drew heavily on McCartney's full catalogue from The Beatles through Wings to his solo work.

Editorial Note

The Cologne dates of April 2003 represent McCartney at the height of his early 2000s touring renaissance — a period in which he reclaimed his status as one of the world's great live performers.