Paul McCartney Wows Glastonbury 2023 Festival Without Performing

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Paul McCartney with Chrissie Hynde, following Pretenders’ set at the Glastonbury Festival, June 24, 2023

There were no shortage of music stars performing at the 2023 edition of the Glastonbury Festival with Elton John, Cat Stevens, Guns N’ Roses, Lizzo, Blondie, and more doing sets over the just-completed event that ran from June 21-25. But even with such big names playing the legendary festival, they were all upstaged by a legend who was there as an attendee. Paul McCartney, who had turned 81 just days earlier, was here, there and everywhere on the Somerset, U.K. grounds to enjoy the music. Yet even as a spectator, Sir Paul managed to garner headlines throughout the weekend.

McCartney was first spotted backstage during Pretenders’ set on Saturday (June 24). Chrissie Hynde and company were joined for their final six songs by The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr and even Dave Grohl on drums for “Tattooed Love Boys.” There were rumors that McCartney might appear, and suddenly after finishing their 15-song set with “Mystery Achievement,” all eyes were on Hynde.

In the video from Jackie Spencer, McCartney is seen congratulating Hynde on her performance as she urges him to join him on stage. After he initially declines, he agrees if only to give Hynde her due, as he points to her and then bows in reverence. Moments later, they head off, with their arms warmly around each other.

Chrissie Hynde brought Paul McCartney onstage at the end of the Pretenders show at Glastonbury Festival June 24 2023 Video Jackie Spencer #TheBeatles #PaulMcCartney #chrissiehynde #glastonbury2023 pic.twitter.com/IEp1AjgbGM

— DIÁRIO DOS BEATLES (@Diario_Beatles) June 24, 2023

Within hours, McCartney and his wife, Nancy Shevell, were seen at Guns N’ Roses’ headlining set where a camera caught them watching the band perform Wings’ “Live and Let Die.”

Paul McCartney e Nancy Shevell assistindo o show do Guns N’ Roses no Glastonbury Festival (24/06) pic.twitter.com/ueu1aVgJZ1

— The Beatle BR 🍏 (@TheBeatleBR) June 26, 2023

On Sunday (25), Elton John gave the final U.K. performance of his Farewell tour, on the Pyramid stage. His 21-song set included a tribute to the late George Michael. “It’s a very special day today,” said John. “He’s my friend, he was an inspiration and today would have been his 60th birthday.” After the star dedicated “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to Michael’s memory, photographer Meegan Hodges caught McCartney using his smart phone to tape the performance.

Paul McCartney taking a video of Elton John performing ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ last night at Glastonbury 🥲

🎥: via Instagram (meeganhodges)#PaulMcCartney #EltonJohn #Glastonbury #Glastonbury23 pic.twitter.com/ri1Ook5vuR

— Far Out #Glastonbury23 updates (@FarOutMag) June 26, 2023

Paul McCartney watching Elton John concert at Glastonbury Festival June 25 2023 #TheBeatles #PaulMcCartney #eltonjohn #glastonbury2023 pic.twitter.com/yOgkFbepCE

— DIÁRIO DOS BEATLES (@Diario_Beatles) June 26, 2023

Perhaps the best McCartney sighting of the weekend, though, was for an audience of one. As the Liverpool Echo reports, Joey Foley, a 62-year-old attending his seventh Glastonbury, was “wiped out” after watching the Pretenders’ set on Saturday and looked for a spot on the grounds’ perimeter to relax. As the paper writes, Foley noticed that someone else had the same idea. Stepping out of a vehicle in the distance was none other than McCartney. With the area far from the crowds, McCartney greeted Foley, who took a selfie with the star.

En su séptimo Glastonbury, Joseph Foley, más conocido como Joey, de 62 años, de Bootle, dijo que es su año “más afortunado” después de compartir una vista de la puesta de sol con la leyenda de #TheBeatles:
Sir Paul McCartney.#Glastonbury #Glastonbury2023 #PaulMcCartney pic.twitter.com/jLSt2TJi8X

— Carlos 🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@carlosgvizcaino) June 25, 2023

On Monday, June 26, McCartney and his wife, Nancy Shevell, attended a private event at the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery in London for his exhibit, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-1964: Eyes of the Storm, opening on June 28. Among the family and friends there were his children, Mary, Stella, and James, plus Julian Lennon, Olivia Harrison, Giles Martin, Twiggy, Ronnie Wood with his wife, Sally, plus Hynde, and Grohl. The exhibit will run until October 1, in conjunction with his new book. Click here for ticket information.

Paul McCartney attended the private view of ‘Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm” at the National Portrait Gallery on June 26, 2023 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for MPL Communications #paulmccartney #thebeatles #eyesofthestorm pic.twitter.com/r8xpBbCl8k

— DIÁRIO DOS BEATLES (@Diario_Beatles) June 27, 2023

What an Amazing collection of photographs, many I’ve never seen before…
So good to catch up with my extended family last night, at the Private viewing of Uncle Paul’s Exhibition, at The National Portrait Gallery, in London.
Many friends & acquaintances were there too, Mary &… pic.twitter.com/hLULOE6DdA

— Julian Lennon (@JulianLennon) June 27, 2023