Paul McCartney announces first UK arena show since 2018 – but fans are furious

Sir Paul McCartney announced his first UK arena shows in six years – but some fans are furious with Macca for a massive snub.

The Beatles star played the headliner slot of Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage in 2022 but has not performed in a standard arena since 2018. His most recent ticketed show, at the O2 in London, heard the Live and Let Die hitmaker rattle through 40 songs.

McCartney announced he would play four dates in two cities later this year, with back-to-back performances at Manchester's Co-Op Live and London's The O2. But the announcement drew controversy as fans say the 82-year-old should have played his hometown.

The one-time Wings member will take his Got Back tour to the rainy city on December 14 and 15 this year before heading to the Big Smoke on December 18 and 19. But Scouse fans have been left wondering why the musical sensation is not playing a Liverpool show.

One Twitter/X user claimed the lack of hometown show was a "kick in the plums" after Taylor Swift's triple sellout showcase at Liverpool Football Club's stadium, Anfield.

One user wrote: "After the feel good factor of the Taylor Swift gigs this feels like a massive kick in the plums for Liverpool and its live music reputation." Another fumed: "WOW! So Liverpool continues to build on the legacy of The Beatles and one of the bands biggest stars chooses Manchester over his home city?! WHAT A JOKE!"

Homecoming gigs have proved popular with touring artists over the last few years, with Sam Fender selling out Newcastle United's stadium, St. James' Park, over two nights. Pulp's reunion tour saw the band play festivals across the globe but head back to Sheffield for two sold-out shows at the Utilita Arena.

Paul McCartney

Macca's Manchester headliner has other members of the public curious about which venues in Liverpool could house his star power. One suggested: "If only there was a brand new waterfront stadium in Liverpool that could possibly have him playing a gig."

Another wrote: "I don't blame Macca completely. But not having a venue big enough to house Liverpool's most famous living musician is a kick in the teeth. We had Taylor Swift last week."

But other members of the public were overwhelmed by the chance to bag tickets to a "bucket list" show McCartney, who found further critical and commercial acclaim after The Beatles with Wings' debut, Band on the Run. One excited user said the announcement was "the best day of my life," while another said they "have to be there".