Paul McCartney Set to Rock Quebec City with a Free Concert to Celebrate The 400th Anniversary

July 20^th 2008 – The Plains of Abraham, Québec City, Canada

Quebec City, 30^th June 2008 - Paul McCartney will perform his first live show in Canada since 2005 when he will lead the city of Québec in celebrations for the 400^th anniversary on the 20^th of July.  The free concert will take place in one of the world’s most prestigious and historic city parks, The Plains Of Abraham, the site of many clashes between the French and British empires in the 18^th century.

Paul said, “I have a feeling it’s going to be a great night.  Music is a fantastic way to celebrate this event.  It’s a universal language that can bring everybody together!  Our two countries have close ties that remain strong to this day.  We are looking forward to helping Québec City celebrate this anniversary.”

Just weeks ago Paul McCartney performed the largest ever show in the Ukraine, in Kiev, to over 350,000 people in the city’s Independence Square and on June 1^st Paul played a stadium concert in Liverpool to celebrate the city being named the 2008 European capital of culture.  If these previous shows are anything to go by, Québec City is in for a night it will never forget.

“Paul McCartney is not just a superstar; he’s a legend, a musical and cultural icon who will focus international attention on our historic celebrations. His concert will project Québec 2008 on the world scene,” declared Daniel Gélinas, CEO of the Société du 400^e, the event organizers. “Paul McCartney is giving us a fabulous present and we are thrilled and proud to welcome him to Québec City!”

This will be Paul’s first visit to the capital. Paul first played in Canada when The Beatles appeared at the Montréal Forum in 1964.  Since then Paul has toured in Canada on numerous occasions but never in Québec.  So this will be a grand premiere for Paul and for the population of Québec City.

To celebrate this anniversary year the Société du 400^e put together a balanced program featuring music from Québec and the First Nations, French songs, symphonic and classical music while inviting international stars and spotlighting the two founding peoples: France and the UK.

“With a British star participating in the 400^th anniversary celebrations we can say mission accomplished! No ticket are needed for this free concert put on by the Société du 400e, a highlight of an already extraordinary year of concerts, exhibitions and shows,” summed up Gélinas.

The Société du 400^e anniversaire de Québec is an independent, nonprofit organization funded by the Government of Québec, the City of Québec, and the Government of Canada with the mission to plan and carry out events celebrating Québec City’s 400^th anniversary.

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