Macca Plays Anfield

Paul McCartney headlined a June 1 concert in front of 36,000 fans at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium to celebrate the city being this year’s European Capital of Culture.

He headed a lineup that included Kaiser Chiefs, The Zutons, and a surprise three-song set from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, whose appearance had been kept under wraps in the run-up to the concert.

McCartney dashed hopes that Ringo Starr, the only other surviving member of The Beatles, would join him on stage.

"That was never going to be on the cards," McCartney told the Liverpool Echo.

McCartney, who has had a torrid year divorcing former wife Heather Mills, opened his set with "Hippy Hippy Shake" and then played a 26-song set including "Drive My Car," "Penny Lane," "Back In The USSR," "Live And Let Die," "Let It Be," "Hey Jude" and "Yesterday."

The concert was the highlight of the "Liverpool 08" calendar, and the former Beatle said being the Capital of European Culture has been the peak of the city’s regeneration.

"About 12 years ago, Liverpool was a bit on its knees – it was not in good shape at all. But now there’s quite a resurgence," he told BBC News.