Paul McCartney is ‘On The Run’ From Abu Dhabi to the UK - rock icon Paul McCartney to bring 2011 to a spectacular close with eleven special shows across three different continents

In 2011 Paul McCartney is still leading the way.  July saw Paul voted the ‘Best Live Act’ of the last year at the prestigious UK Nordoff Robbins Silver Clef Awards.  It was a public vote and Paul beat acts from a shortlist of 30 including Muse, Green Day, Jay Z, Pink and Black Eyed Peas. In the same month, Paul and his band of nearly ten years (Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson and Abe Laboriel Jr.) embarked on their all new ‘On The Run’ tour.  The tour kicked off with a two-night run at New York’s iconic Yankee Stadium and then took in six massive shows in North America and Canada.  The unrivalled feedback and reviews backed up the ‘Best Live Act’ Award as well as cementing Paul’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest performers ever.

Paul announced his new ‘On The Run’ tour is coming home and he will bring 2011 to a close with 11 special shows.  Starting out with his first ever show in U.A.E at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the tour will then rock n’ roll into Europe and Russia. It concludes with a concert in Paul’s hometown of Liverpool exactly a year to the day since he played a tiny intimate show at Liverpool’s O2 Academy late last year, which ended with Paul handing out hot drinks to fans waiting outside the venue in freezing weather conditions. Paul is already earning something of a reputation for his extraordinary Christmas homecoming shows after a series of special UK shows last December as well as his first ever, much talked about show at London’s O2 Arena in December 2009.  These new dates will also take in the O2 Arena once more, Paul’s first visit back to the venue since using it to rehearse for his massive 2010/2011 ‘Up and Coming’ tour. 

As well as his first visit to Abu Dhabi, the ‘On The Run’ tour will see Paul’s first ever live show in Bologna, Italy as well as his first shows in Sweden and Finland in seven years.  He also returns to France, Germany and England and will make his third ever appearance in Russia; his first of which was immortalised in the historic 2003 DVD ‘Paul McCartney Live in Red Square’ and his last being in 2004 in St Petersburg.

Paul said, “Playing live is one of the most exciting parts of my job.  I’m really looking forward to the next run of shows and to playing places that I have never played before with my band.  I’ll be starting with my first ever U.A.E concert and from there I’m on the run across Europe and Russia, before finally getting back to my hometown of Liverpool in time for Christmas.  My audiences seem to get better each year and the band and I love the buzz and feedback that they give us.  I can’t wait to see you all for some wild nights of rock n’ roll and partying”

As anyone who has seen it will confirm, the Paul McCartney live experience goes so much further than simply a normal concert.  Throughout, Paul takes his audience on an emotional journey that touches everyone in a different way.  Whether performing to just 200 or 500,000 people, Paul has the ability to connect with everyone in the audience.  When this is coupled with the most envied and respected back catalogue in music, you have the ingredients for a once in a lifetime experience.  On stage, Paul barely has time to catch his breath as he jumps from instrument to instrument, bounds tirelessly around the stage and sings nearly 40 songs - the ultimate value for money show.

In a lifetime of performing, Paul has played a truly staggering range of venues and locations.  From pub gigs to huge outdoor parks and stadiums; unannounced stripped-back university shows with Wings to performing at Buckingham Palace,  Paul has even played into Space, in Moscow’s Red Square and at the White House to name just a few.  In recent years, Paul’s live shows have even acquired a new legendary status, garnering unprecedented reviews from fans and critics alike wherever he goes.