McCartney Announces Two Special U.K. Gigs

Paul McCartney wraps up 2010 with a couple of up-close-and-personal gigs in venues that aren’t quite as large as the stadiums the former Beatle is in the habit of playing.

McCartney and his band have slotted two shows – Dec. 18 at London’s HMV Apollo Hammersmith and Dec. 20 at Liverpool’s O2 Academy.

The London show will mark the first time McCartney has performed a full concert at the venue since he rocked the house with Wings in 1975. Of course, the Liverpool show is, well, in Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles and location of the famed Cavern Club where Brian Epstein discovered McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and then-Beatles drummer Pete Best in Nov. 1961.

“I always love playing to a home audience and for me it’s the perfect way to end the year,” McCartney said. “We’ve had great fun with the stadium shows this year and we’re looking forward to the more intimate vibe of these ones. Christmas is the perfect excuse for everyone to let their hair down and rock out. We are looking forward to celebrating with the good people of London and Liverpool.”

Photo: AP Photo

Morumbi Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tickets go on sale Dec. 8 and are limited to four per person. For more info, click here for Paul McCartney’s website.