In a moment destined to be remembered as one of Glastonbury’s most powerful and emotional highlights, Sir Paul McCartney, at 80, bridged time and loss by sharing the stage — virtually — with John Lennon. During his June 25 headline set, McCartney stunned the massive crowd with a hauntingly beautiful duet on “I’ve Got a Feeling,” blending his live vocals with Lennon’s isolated voice and rooftop footage. For a few breathtaking minutes, two Beatles were together again, united by music and technology.
Before the performance, McCartney explained how the idea came to life thanks to Get Back director Peter Jackson. Jackson had used advanced audio and video tech to isolate John’s vocals from the original recording. “Peter Jackson said, ‘We can extract John’s voice and he can sing with you.’ And I said, ‘Oh yeah!’” McCartney told the audience, his voice thick with emotion.
As John’s image appeared behind him on the big screen, guitar in hand, and his voice rang out across the fields, the audience stood in stunned silence. Then came the cheers. And the tears. It was a digital reunion that felt deeply real — a reminder of the enduring bond between two musical legends.
The magic didn’t stop there. McCartney’s epic three-hour set was a masterclass in rock history, with everything from Beatles anthems like “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be” to Wings hits and solo favorites. The energy soared when Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen made surprise appearances, adding to the night’s electric atmosphere. Grohl, making his first public performance since the loss of his Foo Fighters bandmate Taylor Hawkins, and Springsteen, ever the showman, turned the Pyramid Stage into a rock ‘n’ roll dream.
Yet even with those star-studded moments, nothing matched the emotional weight of seeing Paul and John — if only for a few minutes — singing together once more. Under the Glastonbury night sky, time seemed to stop, and the spirit of The Beatles shined as brightly as ever.
