Paul McCartney live: 121212: The Concert For Sandy Relief

Paul McCartney was the penultimate performer at the 121212 benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, 12 December 2012

The event, held at New York’s Madison Square Garden, featured a stellar bill of musicians. Bruce Springsteen opened the show with Land Of Hope And Dreams. Other performers included Jon Bon Jovi, Roger Waters, Eddie Vedder, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, The Who, Kanye West, Billy Joel, Chris Martin and Michael Stipe.

This has to be the largest collection of old British musicians ever at Madison Square Garden. And if it rains in London you’ve got to come and help us out.

McCartney was introduced by Quentin Tarantino, and took to the stage in the early hours of the following morning. The setlist contained eight songs:

• ‘Helter Skelter’
• ‘Let Me Roll It’
• ‘Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five’
• ‘My Valentine’
• ‘Blackbird’
• ‘Cut Me Some Slack’
• ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’
• ‘Live And Let Die’

Crowd sings #blackbird along with @PaulMcCartney #121212concert pic.twitter.com/zr2wbBZg

— 121212 Concert (@121212Concert) December 13, 2012

During ‘My Valentine’, McCartney was joined by Diana Krall on piano. However, it was on ‘Cut Me Some Slack’ that the most highly anticipated moment took place: guest spots from former Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, as well as their touring guitarist Pat Smear.

‘Cut Me Some Slack’ is from the soundtrack of the documentary film Sound City, in which McCartney and the former Nirvana members appear. McCartney played a Reso-Fiddle tenor cigar box guitar, given to him by Johnny Depp and made by Matty Baratto.

…and here's one of the photos from the collection by MJ Kim. What were your favourite moments of the night? pic.twitter.com/UbaZTfiF

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) December 14, 2012

Following ‘Live And Let Die’, McCartney welcomed to the state members of the police and fire crews who had assisted in the rescue efforts following the hurricane. He then introduced Alicia Keys, who closed the show with ‘New York State Of Mind’.