Rowan Paniccia, a 19-year-old member of the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band, recently had a remarkable experience performing with Paul McCartney at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum. Alongside 27 other band members, Paniccia played bagpipes and drums during McCartney’s rendition of the hit song “Mull of Kintyre.”
Expressing her astonishment, Paniccia mentioned that playing with McCartney was beyond her wildest dreams. Despite the thousands of enthusiastic fans singing along, Paniccia remained focused on her performance, only letting out a breath of relief and taking in the cheering crowd once the song concluded.
The highly-anticipated concert marked the grand reopening of the renovated TD Coliseum and served as McCartney’s final Canadian tour stop. Among the more than 30 songs McCartney performed that evening, “Mull of Kintyre” stood out as a memorable moment for Paniccia and the band.
Gord Black, the pipe band’s founder, hinted at a mysterious connection to McCartney’s keyboardist that may have paved the way for the band’s collaboration with the music icon. This special performance marked Paniccia’s fourth time playing with McCartney, with previous shows in Toronto dating back to 2010.
Notably, the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band, along with other pipe bands like the Ottawa and Winnipeg police pipe bands in 2013, have shared the stage with McCartney in the past. The meticulous preparation and enthusiasm of the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band members shone through during their performance, leaving Black impressed and proud of their readiness for the unique opportunity.
Before the concert, the band welcomed McCartney with a special performance, which elicited a positive response from the music legend. Paniccia fondly recalled McCartney’s warm interaction with the band members, including a spontaneous dance and handshakes, creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.
The experience of rehearsing and performing “Mull of Kintyre” with McCartney during the sound check left Paniccia in awe, struggling to find the right words to describe the surreal moment. Overall, the opportunity to share the stage with a music icon like McCartney was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that Paniccia and the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band will cherish forever.