McCartney Times

Former Beatle Paul McCartney belted out such classics as “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude” during a Nov. 5 concert at a sumo arena in Sumida Ward, even gesturing like the wrestlers in tribute to the venue.After opening with “A Hard Day’s Night,” McCartney performed a traditional “shiko” stomp, then said in Japanese, “Today, I’ll do my best to speak Japanese again,” to the delight of the crowd.The concert at Ryogoku Kokugikan was the third leg of his seventh solo Japan tour, following performances at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.It was the first time for the 76-year-old to perform at a concert hall in Tokyo other than Chiyoda Ward’s Nippon Budokan hall or Bunkyo Ward’s Tokyo Dome.The musician arrived in Japan on Oct. 29.McCartney is known for being an avid sumo fan. During a visit to Japan in November 2013, he attended the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, putting up prize money for a total of 15 wrestlers.Typically, such money is provided by companies aiming to promote their businesses.Banners akin to those used for sumo events were hoisted around the venue featuring the musician’s name.During the concert, McCartney said, “Gottuandesu,” an expression used by sumo athletes, meaning “Thank you.”Over a two-hour set without break, McCartney sang more than 30 songs, including a new release. For the encore, he sang “Helter Skelter,” as many of the about 7,000 spectators held colored glow sticks in the air.The music icon is scheduled to perform at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya’s Higashi Ward for the first time on Nov. 8.A total of about 135,000 spectators are estimated to attend his four concerts in Japan, part of the musician’s “Freshen Up” world tour, which started in Canada in September.

Source: Paul McCartney channels his best sumo at inspired Tokyo concert：The Asahi Shimbun