Sir Paul McCartney joins Bruce Springsteen for surprise duet at Anfield gig

6 hours ago 5

Gemma Sherlock

BBC News, Liverpool

Sebastian Ayling A big screen and stage, showing Sir Paul McCartney signing into a microphone and holding a guitar. Bruce Springsteen is standing to his right holding a guitar and smiling, There is red and blue lighting on stage and there are other musicians.

Bruce Springsteen fans got a special surprise when Sir Paul McCartney joined him for a duet at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium.

The former Beatle was brought out on stage during the 75-year-old singer's second gig in the city with his E Street Band as part of his Land of Hope and Dreams tour.

Springsteen, a life-long Beatles fan, introduced Sir Paul to roaring crowds during his encore.

Sebastian Ayling, who was in the crowd, said it was a "privilege" to see the duo perform.

"Last night was biblical," he said.

"Bruce and the band were on fire and seeing Sir Paul was such a privilege."

The performance was Sir Paul's first in his hometown since his 2018 Freshen Up Show and also his first appearance on the Anfield stage since the city's celebration of the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

RossEFC95 / X A big screen and stage, showing Sir Paul McCartney holding his hands up to the crowd and holding a guitar. Bruce Springsteen is standing to his left clapping, holding a guitar and smiling. There is red and blue lighting on stage with other musicians.

The pair shared a hug on stage as they sang a duet of the Beatles song, Can't Buy Me Love.

Footage shared on social media showed Sir Paul, 82, addressing the crowd after the performance, reportedly saying: "Thank you, Scousers."

Another fan, Ross, said the whole show was "unbelievable".

Ahead of the gig, speculation mounted as to whether Springsteen, referred to as The Boss by fans, was going to bring Sir Paul on stage after they both appeared in the city a day earlier.

Heart of Liverpool Tours Sir Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen hug each other as they hold guitars on stage.

The pair made a surprise visit on Friday to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), which McCartney co-founded.

LIPA said it had been a "truly incredible day", with the artists taking time out to talk to students and share their experiences.

"Thanks to Bruce Springsteen for sharing such rich insights with our students," a spokesperson said.

"And thanks, as ever, to Paul McCartney for his generosity and passion as he introduced Bruce to LIPA."

Anderson Tombini Paul McCartney wearing black sunglasses, a black jacket, white shirt, and jeans, waves as he stands in front of a black BMW car.

McCartney brought the Born in the USA singer on stage when he headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2022.

The pair played Glory Days and I Wanna Be Your Man together.

In 2012, Sir Paul joined Springsteen on stage at the end of the singer's headline slot at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park, London, but both stars found their microphones cut off before they could address the crowds after exceeding the curfew.

Beginning his career in the 1960s, Springsteen has gone on to have 12 UK top 10 albums and four UK top 10 singles and is best known for songs such as Born In The USA, Dancing In The Dark and Born To Run.

Fans from across the world have descended on Liverpool for the shows.

The second on 7 June is the final UK date on the Land of Hope and Dreams Tour as it moves on to Berlin's Olympiastadion in Germany on 11 June.

Prague, Frankfurt, San Sebastian and Gelsenkirchen, are among the other cities left to play on the tour before it comes to an end in Milan on 3 July.

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