Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that he will debut the final Beatles song, ‘Now and Then’, featuring John Lennon’s vocals enhanced by AI technology, during his new tour, prompting excitement and some disappointment among fans.
Sir Paul McCartney has announced that he will be premiering the final Beatles song, “Now and Then”, during his new tour, marking a momentous occasion for fans. This new rendition of the song will feature vocals from the late John Lennon, which have been meticulously extracted and enhanced through the use of artificial intelligence technology.
The origins of “Now and Then” date back to 1977 when it was discovered on an old cassette. Originally incomplete and considered unworthy by George Harrison, who reportedly dismissed it as ‘rubbish’, the track was never fully developed until now. In an endeavour spearheaded by Sir Paul and Ringo Starr, the song has finally been brought to life, with technology assisting in the refinement of Lennon’s demo. Contrary to early speculation, McCartney clarified that the technological advancements employed have only served to ‘clean up some existing recordings’ and not create any synthetic components.
The announcement of the song’s live debut emerges in the wake of Ringo Starr having to cancel performances due to health issues while performing in New York. Nonetheless, Sir Paul presses on with the excitement of his upcoming ‘Got Back’ tour, which will begin in Montevideo, Uruguay, on October 1, 2024. The tour will then traverse South America, before making its way through Europe with concerts scheduled in Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.
British fans have met the news with both excitement and a hint of disappointment. Although the tour will culminate in the UK, with notable performances booked at Manchester’s Co-op Live venue on December 14 and 15, and London’s O2 Arena on December 18 and 19, there is a sentiment of dissension from Liverpudlian supporters who feel disappointed by the absence of a Liverpool date. Nevertheless, some posit that Manchester’s proximity to Liverpool makes it a feasible alternative for local fans.
The forthcoming UK shows will be Sir Paul’s first since his Glastonbury appearance four years ago, and his first time back at London’s O2 since 2018. Enthused by the prospect of returning to perform on home soil, Sir Paul expressed his elation, saying, “I’m excited to be ending my year and 2024 tour dates in the UK. It’s always such a special feeling to play shows on our home soil. It’s going to be an amazing end to the year.”
In addition to the anticipated performance of “Now and Then”, fans can expect a hit-filled setlist, including Beatles classics such as “I’ve Got A Feeling”, “Helter Skelter”, and “Carry That Weight”. The tour preview, shared by McCartney on Instagram, revealed snippets of the rehearsal process, further amplifying fan excitement for the upcoming shows.
As anticipation builds, Sir Paul McCartney’s Got Back tour is poised to be a significant event, serving both as a musical journey through his legendary career and a tribute to the enduring legacy of The Beatles.
Source: Noah Wire Services
