Paul McCartney is just looking for a fun "night out" when he headlines a free concert on the Plains of Abraham celebrating Quebec City's 400th anniversary Sunday.
"I liked the idea of being part of the celebration and just helping everyone have a good evening. That's what I'm there for ... it's just like a night out for me," he told the Globe and Mail Thursday.
But unlike his foray into eastern Canadian politics over the seal hunt, McCartney said he has no plans to deliver a political message while in Quebec. The former Beatles star's inclusion in the festivities has been met with controversy as many Quebec sovereigntists say that his presence voids any meaning into the celebrations.
McCartney said he doesn't know enough about Quebec's history to say anything on the subject.
"I'm not really informed enough about Quebec politics to get in there. I don't like to do that. If I think I'm informed on the subject and I have a very passionate feeling, then I will do that. I hate to go off half-baked," he said. "I've been asked to just come and celebrate this anniversary by putting on an evening's fun for people. And so that's really how I'm approaching it. It's more of a party then anything for me."
McCartney said he will try to speak some French at the show, but said his knowledge is somewhat limited.
"I'm not that fluent. But I love speaking French. I never learned any French in school....so yes I'll be looking forward to speaking a bit of French," he said, adding that he learned Spanish and German in school.
The concert will be his first in Quebec, and about 200,000 people are expected. Montreal indie band The Stills will be opening for the "Yesterdays" songwriter.
