Macca Magic Returns To Montreal After 21 Years

Macca Magic Returns To Montreal After 21 Years

Thursday 12th August 2010 Tonight's show at The Bell Centre will be rock icon Paul McCartney's second ever solo show in Montreal city. Paul's record breaking all new 'Up and Coming Tour' arrived in town today and is gearing up for a serious night of rock n' roll and partying. Paul first appeared live in Montreal with The Beatles in 1964 as part of their debut tour of the US and Canada. That year saw them perform three shows: in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

The last time Macca-mania hit the streets of Montreal was December 9th 1989 when his 'World Tour' conquered Quebec's largest city. At the time The Montreal Gazette reported; "This performance belongs in a time capsule, a testament to the emotional impact of the music and why it's worth living for."

In the early hours of this morning 20 massive trucks packed with Paul's state of the art touring equipment, including some of the world's most famous music instruments, rolled up to The Bell Centre. Paul's crew of 75 plus got straight to work bringing in the lighting and rigging equipment, followed by the sound and video and staging. Paul's team have spent the day putting everything together in anticipation of tonight's main event.

The expectation ahead of Paul and the band's arrival couldn't be higher. The streets are filled with people of all ages wearing Paul McCartney t-shirts and all week the local press, radio and TV have been going Macca-mad, running news stories and playing some of the world's best loved songs in the build up to tonight. Just days ago Paul and his band played two huge sell-out shows in Toronto, getting rave reviews in the process. The Toronto Star enthused: "Paul McCartney performed like a man a quarter of his age before an adoring crowd. He embodied the true definition of the word 'inspiration'". The Globe and Mail reported: "He's still fab. Paul McCartney played smash hits for three triumphant hours. Not only did he teach some of the world to speak English, he also taught the world to sing. And that in the end, will be the greatest gift he's ever given."

Although Paul hasn't played in the city for 21 years, many people travelled to see him in Quebec City in 2008 when he drew an incredible audience of over a quarter of a million people when he rocked the city to celebrate their 400th birthday. Dozens of jumbo screens were put up across the city as roads were shut due to the enormous turn out.

Tonight the city is all set for a massive celebration and emotional experience. As the Montreal Gazette put it, "Depending on your level of emotional involvement with Paul's body of work, be prepared to shed or at least see tears. People of all ages crying at McCartney shows appear to be part of the experience."