Fifteen years ago, on July 20, 2008, Paul McCartney took over the Plains of Abraham in Quebec for a historic spectacle celebrating the 400the Anniversary of Quebec City.
• Also read: Relive the summer festival in drawings thanks to Francis Desharnais
• Also read: After the Plains of Abraham: Les Cowboys Fringants dominates the iTunes charts
• Also read: [SONDAGE] Festival d’été de Québec: Which artists would you like to see in 2024?
Although the guest choice had unnerved nationalists, who found it hard to imagine a Brit headlining an event designed to highlight the French-speaking presence in North America, the controversy was quickly swept under the rug.
The ex-Beatles had even declared a few days before his arrival in Quebec “that it was time to smoke the pipe of peace”.
Photo archive Le Journal
Sir Paul’s arrival by plane and his movements around the city were closely watched by photographers. The singer had even planned a little incognito bike ride with his lover through the city streets and then tasted the cuisine of Saint-Amour.
From a weather perspective, let’s assume that the 400th anniversary celebrations would have started on July 3 in the Fleet at the Samuel de Champlain monument in the presence of dignitaries including the French Prime Minister. But for Paul McCartney the evening was more than perfect.
In French
After the start of his famous “Good evening everyone!” At the end of his first song “Jet” the crowd was conquered.
It is estimated that nearly 260,000 people were able to watch this spectacle thanks to the giant screens installed at the back of the stage and away from the crowded Plains. Even on the south coast, Lévis residents could watch the show from afar.
Portal / Mathieu Belanger (Canada)
The next day, Le Journal reported on the rise of “Hurricane McCartney.” Those who were there still remember it.
In 2008, Dominique Goulet was the right arm of Jean Beauchesne, program director of the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ). Like many others, she has good memories of this great event. The FEQ team had worked closely with the Société du 400e and given the mandate to Daniel Gélinas, then director of the FEQ, to make the 400th anniversary celebrations a success, a challenge he mastered with flying colors.
“It was a huge success. The people of Quebec reacted massively. I spent a lot of time backstage with Paul McCartney’s team to ensure the reception lived up to expectations,” said Ms. Goulet, program director for the Videotron Center and Gestev.
“I have an unforgettable memory. We were able to meet him before his show. A charming man. When he did his sound checks it was like we were having a little private concert. Those are the crucial moments.”
In 2013, Paul McCartney was back on the Plains for a second time. Today he is 81 years old.