McCartney to get back to Budokan

Sir Paul McCartney is to return to Japan's celebrated Budokan venue

May 09 2014 08:17 PM

Sir Paul McCartney is to return to Japan's celebrated Budokan venue which he first played with The Beatles almost half a century ago.

He will perform at the 20,000-capacity Tokyo venue, 48 years after he and the Fab Four became the first rock group to appear there as they visited it to kick off the Asian leg of the 1966 tour.

Sir Paul announced tonight that he had added the extra date on May 21, alongside a pair of shows already scheduled in the city for his Out There tour.

He said: "It's very exciting to be returning to the Budokan because it is a very special place and was the first place we played in Japan.

"There was a lot of controversy at the time but I now know that it is a regular venue for a lot of people. But for me it has a very special place in my memory."

When The Beatles appeared it prompted a backlash with protesters unhappy about the appearance of a western pop act at a revered martial arts venue. In combination with the frenzied fans, it meant there were tough security measures in place and the show was heavily guarded.

The band - who could barely leave their hotel such was the stir they caused - played just 11 songs, although Sir Paul's latest live show is three times longer.