One Thing I Can Tell You Is You Got To Be Free Words Of Love
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Paul McCartney Set to Rock Quebec City with a Free Concert to Celebrate Their 400th Anniversary July 20th 2008 – The Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Canada
Paul McCartney will perform his first live show in Canada since 2005 when he will lead the city of Quebec in celebrations for their 400th anniversary on the 20th of July. The free concert will take place in one of the world’s most prestigious and historic city parks, The Plains Of Abraham, the site of many clashes between the French and British empires in the 18th century.
Paul said, “I have a feeling it’s going to be a great night. Music is a fantastic way to celebrate this event. It’s a universal language that can bring everybody together! Our two countries have close ties that remain strong to this day. We are looking forward to helping Quebec City celebrate this anniversary.”
Just weeks ago Paul McCartney performed the largest ever show in the Ukraine, in Kiev, to over 350,000 people in the city’s Independence Square and on June 1st Paul played a stadium concert in Liverpool to celebrate the city being named the 2008 European capital of culture. If these previous shows are anything to go by, Quebec City is in for a night it will never forget.
“Paul McCartney is not just a superstar; he’s a legend, a musical and cultural icon who will focus international attention on our historic celebrations. His concert will project Quebec 2008 on the world scene,” declared Daniel Gelinas, CEO of the Societe du 400e, the event organizers. “Paul McCartney is giving us a fabulous present and we are thrilled and proud to welcome him to Quebec City!”
This will be Paul’s first visit to the capital. Paul first played in Canada when The Beatles appeared at the Montreal Forum in 1964. Since then Paul has toured in Canada on numerous occasions but never in Quebec. So this will be a grand premiere for Paul and for the population of Quebec City.
To celebrate this anniversary year the Societe put together a balanced program featuring music from Quebec and the First Nations, French songs, symphonic and classical music while inviting international stars and spotlighting the two founding peoples: France and the UK.
“With a British star participating in the 400th anniversary celebrations we can say mission accomplished! No ticket are needed for this free concert put on by the Societe du 400e, a highlight of an already extraordinary year of concerts, exhibitions and shows,” summed up Gelinas.
Awesome. I can't wait till he plays the States. I think his set list will be different from years past because this'll be the last big tour that he'll do in his lifetime so he'll probably play some (hopefully a lot) of songs that he's never or rarely played live.
"Wings IV introduced Jimmy McCulloch, a spunky lead guitarist with grit, able to spur Paul on unlike any previous soloist. His debut track, the magnificent single `Junior's Farm', stands as one of Wings' finest emotional and technical releases."
"Few people on this planet know as much about Jimmy's musical history than you."
"I'm Joe English and I'm from Glasgow, Scotland." xD
I've read that Paul will give the only one concert in North America in 2008. It is the concert in Quebec.
But I thought he was doing his last big tour or what not? I am assuming that would include some places in North America.... more specifically the states?
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Can you say ego?
Dion-McCartney clash ends in standoff Expansion of Celine Dion's site helps smooth feathers for Quebec City headliner concerts KEVIN DOUGHERTY, The Gazette Published: 9 hours ago
A recount in the turf battle of the Plains of Abraham - set off when Celine Dion's husband-manager Rene Angelil objected that Paul McCartney would have 250,000 spectators for his free concert July 20 and Celine would only have 100,000 for her Aug. 22 performance - has resulted in a tie.
Each show now has room for about 200,000 spectators.
Daniel Gelinas, who heads the Societe du 400e, which is managing festivities marking Quebec City's 400th birthday, told reporters yesterday that calculating three persons a square metre, and expanding the site, there will be room for 170,000 to 200,000 at the natural amphitheatre where the McCartney show was originally planned.
Using the same calculation, 350,000 could squeeze into the site planned for Dion's show. But he admitted not all those places have a good view.
So in addition to the 100,000 holders of free tickets, who will have reserved places, Gelinas said another 100,000 to 120,000 could see Dion's show.
Gelinas phoned Angelil in France yesterday and reported that Dion's manager is "very, very happy" with the the new arrangement.
One Thing I Can Tell You Is You Got To Be Free Words Of Love
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Pretty close, yeah:
There are federal quotas for three types of seals: harp seals, hooded seals and grey seals. Most of the hunt is for harp seals. The hunt usually opens in March in the "Gulf" areas around the Magdalen Islands and Prince Edward Island. The main hunt on the so-called "front" usually begins in April off the east coast of Newfoundland. It's pretty much over by May.
Ah, yes, Toronto and Quebec, the only two places in Canada where it is possible to have a big concert.
I'm fine with him going to Toronto, I can actually get to Toronto but if he played a smaller venue (like maybe London, Ontario (it's about 2 hours outside of Toronto, we've had plenty of other big names play here, Elton John, Cher, and Bob Dylan just to name a few, oh and I live here!)) I would give my right ovary, and give up most meat/animal products just to see him!!!!
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Celine Dion's manager isn't the only twit in Quebec:
Separatists decry McCartney's Quebec concert Graeme Hamilton, National Post Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Some separatists have criticized Paul McCartney's concert for Quebec's 400th anniversary, saying that it is a reminder of their 'Conquest'
MONTREAL -- He will be wielding a bass guitar, not a musket, but Paul McCartney's free concert this Sunday on Quebec City's Plains of Abraham has some sovereigntist politicians and artists complaining of another British invasion.
In an open letter endorsed by two Parti Quebecois Members of the National Assembly, Quebec City painter and sculptor Luc Archambault informs McCartney that he should learn some French songs before coming to perform as part of Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebrations
"The presence of your English-language music on the most majestic part of Battlefields Park, as beautiful as it might be, can't help but bring back painful memories of our Conquest," Mr. Archambault writes.
Calling McCartney an "international Anglo-Saxon idol," he asks him to use his performance to make a plea for the sovereignty of the Quebec people. That, Mr. Archambault says, would display the same sensitivity to "the people of French Quebec" as the ex-Beatle has already shown to "the fate of the seals." (In 2006, McCartney and his then wife, Heather Mills, dropped on to ice floes off Quebec's Magdalene Islands to protest the seal hunt.)
He closes by proposing that McCartney agree to sing a duet of the nationalist anthem Les gens de mon pays with its author, Gilles Vigneault.
The initiative is endorsed by 35 writers, artists and politicians, including Pierre Curzi and Daniel Turp, who are, respectively, the culture and international relations critics for the PQ. In an interview published yesterday in Le Journal de Montréal, Mr. Curzi said McCartney's presence reflects a "Canadianization" of the anniversary celebrations.
"I really like Paul McCartney, but in this context, this is the last straw," Mr. Curzi said. "There is a clear Canadianization of the 400th celebrations. It is becoming a political gesture that tarnishes his presence." Pierre Falardeau, a separatist filmmaker, told the newspaper that inviting McCartney "makes us look like hicks who want to put themselves on the map."
When the McCartney concert was announced, Daniel Gelinas, head of the committee organizing the anniversary celebrations, said his presence reflected a balanced entertainment program "spotlighting the two founding peoples: France and the UK." Faced with some criticism that a marquee spot was being given to an English artist, organizers let it be known this week that McCartney is taking a crash course in French.
McCartney said yesterday on his Web site that he is looking forward to his first trip to Quebec City: "Me and the band are excited to finally get there and rock out with the good people of Quebec." Asked whether he will be speaking to the crowd in French, he answered, "Mais oui."
Jean Charest, the Quebec Premier, said Messrs. Curzi and Turp should be embarrassed for having spoken out against the concert. "Nobody criticizes Celine Dion for singing in Paris, Munich, England or elsewhere on the planet," he said.
The two homegrown acts announced to open for McCartney, The Stills and Pascale Picard, feature francophones who have made their names performing in English. Their selection has not drawn criticism.
Organizers are expecting 170,000 to 200,000 people at the concert, evidence that not all Quebecers are offended by the idea of an English concert. Even Mr. Archambault said he might attend. "He is an artist who has had had a crucial importance for our society," he said. The celebrations have already featured a July 3 concert by American rockers Van Halen. Ms. Dion will perform a free concert on Aug. 22.
"Wings IV introduced Jimmy McCulloch, a spunky lead guitarist with grit, able to spur Paul on unlike any previous soloist. His debut track, the magnificent single `Junior's Farm', stands as one of Wings' finest emotional and technical releases."
"Few people on this planet know as much about Jimmy's musical history than you."
"I'm Joe English and I'm from Glasgow, Scotland." xD
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Paul McCartney rocks huge crowd for Quebec City's birthday party (Canadian Press)
QUEBEC — Music icon Paul McCartney exploded onto an old battleground Sunday, churning out a song list laden with Beatles tunes to a pumped up crowd on the historic Plains of Abraham.
The knighted ex-Beatle was in town to help Quebec City celebrate its 400th birthday - and he was an enthusiastic invitee.
"Bonsoir les Quebecois, bonsoir toute le gang," McCartney shouted to his faithful after he opened the show by belting out the Wings song "Jet."
The crowd erupted and the band turned it up a notch by ripping into Beatles' 1965 classic "Drive My Car," "Only Mama Knows," and "All My Loving."
"I only speak a little bit of French," he said in French before switching languages. "So, I will be speaking in English."
But McCartney, whose appearance raised the ire of some Quebec nationalists who said a Brit shouldn't be part of the city's festivities, alternated between the languages when addressing the crowd throughout the concert.
At one point, a huge image of Quebec's flag covered the stage backdrop during "Mrs. Vanderbilt." Later, he strutted around the stage waving the fleur-de-lis banner.
During "Yesterday," he came out wearing a souvenir-shop sweatshirt with "QUEBEC" written across the chest.
Organizers expected some 200,000 people at the free outdoor concert on the Plains of Abraham.
A massive tangle of swaying arms and bodies covered the rolling fields in front of the stage. It was McCartney's first appearance in Canada since 2005.
"C'est ma premiere visite a Quebec, and it's a great place," McCartney said, earning a roar from fans.
On several occasions, McCartney's English comments were translated into French and the words scrolled across the giant screens.
An energetic McCartney played 36 tunes through the two-and-a-half-hour show.
During the first half of the concert, he performed a mixed bag of Beatles, Wings and solo tunes.
The rest of the way was heavy on Fab Four hits, including "Hey Jude," "Get Back" and "Let It Be."
He started off "Something" on a ukulele that he said was a gift from George Harrison.
"That one was for George," he said.
He also paid homage to another deceased ex-bandmate, John Lennon.
"This song is dedicated to my friend John," he said in French, before starting into "A Day In The Life" and then "Give Peace A Chance."
McCartney later launched into an anniversary tribute with "Birthday."
"This song is for a woman who is 400 years old," he said in French. "Happy Birthday, Quebec."
Montreal band The Stills and up-and-coming Quebec City singer Pascale Picard opened the concert to set the stage for the legendary rock star.
Tens of thousands of music fans streamed onto the Plains of Abraham and spilled into the surrounding streets of Quebec City on Sunday in hopes of securing a good vantage point to watch the music icon.
Dozens of people started lining up as early as Saturday afternoon for a shot at nabbing coveted ground at the front of the stage.
When the gates finally opened a couple of hours before the show, a mass of fans flooded down a slope, as hundreds sprinted for the front row.
Seven jumbo screens were set up on the historic battlefield and along downtown streets, several of which were closed to traffic.
Hoping to guarantee themselves a spot in front of a screen, thousands of people camped early Sunday in the middle of the Grande-Allee, one of the provincial capital's main boulevards, while others were stretched out on the lawn of the provincial legislature.
The party in honour of Sir Paul also got underway early.
Beer vendors on the Plains made swift business throughout the day, which contributed to long lineups of swaying patrons waiting impatiently for portable toilets.
Meanwhile, whiffs of marijuana wafted through the crowd.
Restaurants and bars along the main drag blasted Beatles tunes and souvenir tents offered up the latest Paul McCartney gear.
Carol Cleeland travelled from New Jersey to see the show.
"We've been fans of the Beatles and Paul McCartney since the beginning," said Cleeland, who headed to the Plains of Abraham with her sister, Elizabeth, more than 12 hours before McCartney's concert.
"We love Paul McCartney's music and everything about him. He's just a really great guy."
Fan Leo Rodrigue sported a red Montreal Canadiens sweater with the name "McCartney" emblazoned across the back above the number one.
"I saw him the first time at the Montreal Forum, Dec. 9, 1989," Rodrigue said.
"It's the greatest. (He's) the greatest artist. All songs of McCartney is beautiful."
McCartney arrived in Quebec City on Saturday evening and was greeted by hundreds of adoring fans, many of whom had waited several hours outside the Chateau-Frontenac Hotel to catch a glimpse of the British knight.
Fans approached his car as it drove through the hotel parking lot and McCartney, who had his window partly down, waved to the crowd.
Journalists yelled questions at him from a distance as he got out of the car in the hotel's underground garage and he waved and replied, "Bonjour."
When one yelled: "Are you happy to be in Quebec City?", he gave a thumbs-up and shouted, "Oui."
The much-anticipated show, McCartney's only scheduled performance in North America this year, was part of Quebec City's 400th birthday bash.
But there are some in the province who would have preferred McCartney stayed home.
Several Quebec sovereigntists have been questioning McCartney's participation in Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebrations because of his British roots.
They claim his presence evokes painful memories of Britain's conquest of New France in 1760.
The Plains of Abraham was the site of the pivotal 1759 battle between British Gen. James Wolfe and France's Marquis Louis-Joseph de Montcalm.
In an interview with Radio-Canada on Thursday, the 66-year-old bassist brushed off the nationalists' claims.
"I think it's time to smoke the pipes of peace and to just, you know, put away your hatchet because I think it's a show of friendship," McCartney said.
One Thing I Can Tell You Is You Got To Be Free Words Of Love
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Set list, if anybody's keeping track:
Jet Drive My Car Only Mama Knows All My Loving Flaming Pie Got To Get You Into My Life Let Me Roll It C Moon My Love Let Em In Fine Line The Long And Winding Road Dance Tonight Blackbird Calico Skies Follow The Sun Michelle Mrs Vanderbilt Eleanor Rigby Something A Day In A Life / Give Peace a Chance Good Day Sunshine Too Many People / Bathroom Window Penny Lane Band On The Run Birthday Back In The USSR I Got A Feeling Live And Let Die Let It Be Hey Jude Lady Madonna Get Back I Saw Her Standing There
Same ol' setlist, hopefully Paul will mix it up later on down the road. Regardless he puts on an amazing show and I can't wait to see him again.
"Wings IV introduced Jimmy McCulloch, a spunky lead guitarist with grit, able to spur Paul on unlike any previous soloist. His debut track, the magnificent single `Junior's Farm', stands as one of Wings' finest emotional and technical releases."
"Few people on this planet know as much about Jimmy's musical history than you."
"I'm Joe English and I'm from Glasgow, Scotland." xD
Even though I live in the US, I was gonna go to this concert. My parents and I thought it was like an eight hour drive from here, but my dad checked mapquest and it turned out to be at least a 24 hour drive! Then I knew for sure there was no way I could go, and was mad. Gas prices are way too high, so much for the "free" part for me and my parents! Oh well, I'm gonna go see him when he tours no matter what.
~Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans~ ~Give me love, give me peace on earth~ ~All day long I'm sitting singing songs for everyone~ ~The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you~
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Oh well, I'm gonna go see him when he tours no matter what.
