Ex-Top Gear host James May was spotted “co-performing” at Paul McCartney‘s final gig of the year last night (December 19).
- READ MORE: Inside ‘Now And Then’: With a little help from AI, The Beatles live again
McCartney brought the ‘Got Back’ 2024 tour to a close at The O2 in London with a show that included multiple surprises, including appearances from Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr and Rolling Stones‘ Ronnie Wood.
But Starr and Wood weren’t the only famous faces around, with fans spotting May singing to Macca’s biggest hits from the VIP box.
The ex-Top Gear presenter was briefly shown on the arena’s big screen, nodding along while a brass band played directly in front of his seat. Check out the moment below.
James May looking very comfortable co-performing with Paul McCartney this evening pic.twitter.com/quHbh47T04
— Calgie (@christiancalgie) December 19, 2024
Also saw James may omggg pic.twitter.com/tQcy2I6xnT
— daisy 🎄🔥 NGFC (@turnoffurbrain) December 19, 2024
Elsewhere in the show, McCartney introduced ‘Get Back’ by talking about his old bass guitar that was stolen over 50 years ago, before it was finally returned to him earlier this February. Brandishing it onstage, he revealed that it was the bass’ first stage appearance since it had gone missing: “I haven’t played it in 50 years.”
He then introduced yet another surprise, telling the crowd: “And what is more, we’ve got a special guest for you here. A Rolling Stone. Ronnie Wood’. As Wood made his way onstage, the two dove in ‘Get Back’, which you can see footage of below.
Once the song wrapped, the two shared a quick hug, before McCartney raised Wood’s hand and said: “Thank you Ronald.”
Beatles fans were then in for a treat when, during the encore segment of the show, McCartney told the audience another surprise was in store: “Bring to the stage the mighty, the one and only Mr Ringo Starr.”
McCartney quipped as Starr walked on: “Should we rock? Get on your kit la”. The two then performed two Beatles classics, ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)’ and ‘Helter Skelter’.
Check out footage below.
“It’s fantastic, playing with my old mate,” said @PaulMcCartney, “but there comes a time when we’ve got to go home.” Not after a belter of @thebeatles‘ ‘Helter Skelter’ with @ringostarrmusic#PaulMcCartney #RingoStarr #TheBeatles pic.twitter.com/MaQ24pnYu9
— NME (@NME) December 20, 2024
After they’d wrapped up the songs, Starr said: “Give it up. I’m off now but I’ve had a great night. It’s fantastic, playing with me old mate, but there comes a time when we’ve got to go home. All that remains to be said, I’d see you next time.”
Prior to him joining Macca onstage, the Beatles drummer was spotted in the VIP section of the audience, watching the show with excited fans who snapped photos and videos of the legend in close proximity.
Ringo Starr in the audience at Paul McCartney’s concert, The O2 Arena London 🇬🇧 December 19 2024 *video amilotherington/instagram* pic.twitter.com/v7b8Hcg96V
— DIÁRIO DOS BEATLES (@Diario_Beatles) December 20, 2024
Elsewhere during his set, McCartney ran through his extensive discography, performing his solo hits apart from the numerous Beatles and Wings songs he played. The setlist included classics like ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Wonderful Christmastime’, ‘Let It Be’, ‘In Spite of All the Danger’, ‘Letting Go’ and more.
McCartney also performed last year’s Beatles track ‘Now And Then’, which he said earlier during the tour cycle makes him “very emotional”.
‘Now And Then’ was most recently nominated for both Record Of The Year and Best Rock Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards.
While teasing the project for months, Starr revealed that he thought the project was “beautiful” and went on to admit that working on the track was “like having John Lennon back”.
‘Now And Then’ was created from one of John Lennon’s demo tapes and was completed with the help of AI, which was used to lift the late musician’s vocals from the initial recording so Macca and Starr could work with them.
