British music icon to perform at new Ontario arena

A living legend will perform at a newly transformed Ontario entertainment venue.

The Ontario concert arena, currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation, will reopen this fall with a huge British icon.

Paul McCartney, who shot to global fame as a Beatle frontman in the 1960s, will take the stage at the new TD Coliseum in Hamilton on Friday, Nov. 21, to officially open the new arena, the Coliseum announced today.

The 83-year-old rock star returns to North America this fall with his Got Back Tour. There are 19 dates on the tour in the U.S. and Canada, including Las Vegas, Buffalo and Montreal. The tour kicks off in California on Sept. 29 and wraps up in Chicago on Nov. 25. The Hamilton date is the only one in Ontario.

McCartney’s concerts bring to life the most beloved catalogue in music, according to concert organizers.

With songs like Hey Jude, Live and Let Die, Band on the Run, Let It Be and many more, the live experience is “everything any music lover could ever want from a rock show and more: hours of the greatest moments from the last 60 years of music – dozens of songs from Paul’s solo, Wings and of course Beatles songbooks that have formed the soundtracks of our lives,” organizers said.

Paul McCartney will perform in Hamilton this fall. Photo: MJ Kim

TD Coliseum opened in 1985 as Copps Coliseum, and was renamed FirstOntario Centre in 2014. A $290 million renovation started in spring 2024. Upgrades include new restaurants, lounges and premium-level suites. The elevators, concession stands and washrooms are also getting a facelift.

Copps Coliseum was no stranger to huge acts. Elton John, Cher, The Who and U2 have all performed there in the past. McCartney took the stage back in 2016.

Ticket sales for the Got Back Tour will begin July 18 at 10 a.m. local time. For further information and pre-sales see the website here.