News

Paul McCartney To Headline Hard Rock Calling

• 2nd Mar 2010

Hard Rock International and Live Nation announced today that PAUL MCCARTNEY will be headlining Sunday 27 June at HARD ROCK CALLING 2010 in Hyde Park, London. From the days of The Beatles to the present this will be McCartney’s first-ever full-blown headlining gig in Hyde Park. Tickets go on sale for Sunday 27 June at 9am on 5 March.

Paul’s live shows have reached a new legendary status in recent years garnering unprecedented reviews from fans and critics alike wherever he goes. He’s pushed boundaries, performed to millions and made global news with monumental shows including performances in Red Square, Russia, outside the Coliseum in Rome, performing live into a NASA space station, the largest outdoor show ever in the Ukraine, his first visit to Tel Aviv.

Last year, his ‘Summer 09’ tour began in earnest with an already legendary inaugural run of shows at New York’s Citi Field Stadium, the site of the former Shea Stadium where The Beatles played the 1965 concert that set the precedent for the modern day stadium rock show. Critics hailed the Citi Field performances, seen by over 100,000 people, as the concert experience of a lifetime. The UK got a recent taste for Paul’s live show last Christmas when he brought his 2009 ‘Good Evening Europe’ tour to a climactic and memorable finale at London’s O2 Arena, his only UK show of 2009. Reviews for the show were phenomenal and prove that Paul McCartney is a live experience that no-one should miss.

This special show is part of Paul's all new 'Up and Coming Tour,’ which starts in the US in March and comes to the UK and Ireland in June.

Paul has appeared in Hyde Park twice before – he opened and closed 2005’s Live 8 concert and most recently he surprised fans last summer at Hard Rock Calling during Neil Young’s set to perform The Beatles anthem ‘A Day In The Life’.

Paul McCartney commented, “My last show of 2009 was in London at The O2 Arena and we had a great night, there was a great party atmosphere. I hope that this summer we can have an even bigger party in Hyde Park. I've had a little taste of performing in the park when I guested briefly with Neil Young there last summer and it tasted good. So I'm looking forward to getting there with the band and performing our own show.”

Hard Rock Calling 2010 is already set to be the festival to go to this summer. Opening the weekend in true Hard Rock style will be The Hives, The Gaslight Anthem, Wolfmother, Ben Harper & Relentless7 and headliners Pearl Jam. Following the success of last year’s sold-out festival Hard Rock Calling 2010 is shaping up to follow suit, promising three days of unparalleled music and an ultimate London festival experience. Saturday’s headliner and more of the line-up for the weekend will be announced shortly.

Paul McCartney’s headline appearance at Hyde Park sees him join a long line of rock and roll greats that have headlined in this iconic location, they include, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Aerosmith, The Police, Neil Young, The Killers and Eric Clapton.

Hard Rock Calling, produced by Live Nation and presented by Hard Rock International, is a unique and historic musical event with two stages and many surprises in store for fans of all ages. In addition to renowned bands and an on-site Hard Rock Cafe, the festival will include a variety of attractions to be announced at a later date. Additional artists for the 2010 line-up will be announced leading up to the event and tickets for the festival are available at link.

As Hard Rock Calling kicks off Hard Rock’s Ambassadors of Rock 2010, consumers will also be able to register to win trips to other exciting Ambassador of Rock stops around the world, by entering the global sweepstakes on link. And as with all Hard Rock International ventures, philanthropy will be an important part of Hard Rock’s global tour, with each Ambassadors of Rock event benefiting a local charity.

Hard Rock Calling 2010, Hyde Park, London
Friday 25 June 2010:
MAIN STAGE: Pearl Jam, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Wolfmother, The Gaslight Anthem
PEPSI MAX STAGE: The Hives

Sunday 27 June 2010:
MAIN STAGE: Paul McCartney