BBC Entertainment News Last Updated: Thursday, 27 September 2007, 12:25 GMT 13:25 UK

McCartney to play culture concert

 

Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney will top the bill for Liverpool's Capital of Culture celebrations.

 

The 65-year-old Liverpudlian has been unveiled to perform at a huge concert at Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium for the city's festivities in June.

 

Fellow Beatle Ringo Starr will lead the opening ceremony for the 2008 event in January at the new King's Dock Arena.

 

The 67-year-old drummer will appear with the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart and Ian Broudie from the Lightning Seeds.

 

Other famous Liverpudlians taking part in the culture events include comedian Ken Dodd and conductor Sir Simon Rattle.

 

Events which have already been confirmed are an exhibition of Gustav Klimt's work at Tate Liverpool and an opera based around the city's famous Adelphi Hotel.

 

Opening the launch event via a video message to the audience at Tate Liverpool on Thursday, Sir Paul said: "I'm very excited about Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

 

"We have a fantastic series of events which are sure to get you excited too. I'm very proud of the city and I look forward to welcoming you all and showing you a good time.

 

"It's going to be a great year."

 

Liverpool Culture Company chief executive Jason Harborow said: "We want to do Liverpool proud, we want to do Britain and Europe proud.

 

"We hope to leave a model for other cities as to how culture can make a difference to the way we live."

 

A revamped Capital of Culture board was announced earlier this month.

 

The board was reorganised following the cancellation of much of the Mathew Street Festival in August.

 

Brookside and Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond is now the creative force behind next year's celebrations.

 

Are you pleased to see Paul & Ringo play in their home city or do you think it will be an overhyped anti-climax?

McCartney and Starr coming home for Year of Culture

Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:14pm BST

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are coming home to celebrate Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

 

McCartney is headlining a concert at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool Football Club, while Starr is joining forces with Eurythmics member Dave Stewart for "Liverpool The Musical."

 

"It's going to be a great year," McCartney promised in a statement on Thursday detailing plans for the northern English city's cultural bonanza.

 

"I'm very proud of the city and I look forward to welcoming you all and showing you a good time," McCartney said.

 

He is headlining next June's concert which will be broadcast live to a worldwide audience. The full line-up is to be announced later.

 

The Liverpool musical was described as "Stravinsky meets Hip Hop" with an eclectic cast ranging from Ringo Starr to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

I noticed that they are not playing together :mellow:

I noticed that they are not playing together :mellow:

 

Sadly not.

 

It reminds me of the Music gag that Ringo & Paul should join The Who as they have lost their original drummer & bass guitarist....... <_<