Paul McCartney's 'One on One' tour shattered sales record for Van Andel Arena

www.mlive.com
Paul McCartney's 'One on One' tour shattered sales record for Van Andel Arena
By Jim Harger
September 08, 2016


Paul McCartney performs "A Hard Day's Night" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Paul McCartney's Aug. 15 concert at Van Andel Arena shattered sales records to become the highest grossing show in the arena's 20-year history, according to SMG, the arena's manager.

The former Beatle's first appearance in Grand Rapids topped the previously highest grossing show by Fleetwood Mac in 2015, according to a news release issued on Thursday, Sept. 8.

In a show that sold out in minutes, McCartney and his four-piece band played a nearly three-hour set that included classic Beatles songs and songs from his solo career.


Paul McCartney performs "Save Us" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)

With roughly 11,000 seats available for concerts, the Van Andel Arena was the smallest venue on McCartney's "One on One" tour, which has played mainly at baseball, football and soccer stadiums and indoor arenas used by NBA and NHL teams.

"Van Andel Arena proclaimed it would "go big" in celebration of its 20th anniversary this year, and it has followed through by bringing some of the biggest names to Grand Rapids in 2016," the SMG announcement said.

"We have built a lot of momentum over the past 20 years, and we always want to continue to push that forward in bigger and better ways," said SMG Regional General Manager Richard MacKeigan.

"It's tough to get bigger than Paul McCartney, who has a huge demand virtually everywhere on the planet, so to be able to bring him somewhere, whether it's New York or Los Angeles or Grand Rapids, means a lot. We cannot be happier or more appreciative of Sir Paul's visit," MacKeigan said.

Billboard magazine recently ranked Van Andel Arena as the highest grossing venue in the United States among venues with a capacity between 10,001 and 15,000 for mid-year 2016, according to SMG.


Paul McCartney performs "Save Us" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "A Hard Day's Night" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "A Hard Day's Night" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "Save Us" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "A Hard Day's Night" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "A Hard Day's Night" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "Save Us" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "A Hard Day's Night" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "A Hard Day's Night" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)


Paul McCartney performs "Save Us" at Van Andel Arena as he brings his "One on One" tour to Grand Rapids on Monday, August 15, 2016. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)