Paul McCartney brings his vast library of songs to Firefly festival

DOVER — “Hello, Firefly. We’re going to have a bit of a party tonight,” Sir Paul McCartney told the audience Friday night at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover.

Sir Paul, who celebrated his 73rd birthday Thursday, opened his show with the song “Birthday.”

Tom Flinn of Milford relaxes Friday afternoon as he waited to see one of his musical idols, Paul McCartney, Friday at Firefly. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)

With tens of thousands gathered before the main stage, the former Beatle dug into his vast library of songs and performed “Got to Get You Into My Life” and “Paperback Writer.” And that was just for openers.

In all, his show lasted about 2 hours and 20 minutes and covered the gamut of his entire career, from Beatles classics, Wings hits and tunes off his new album, punctuated by a dazzling fireworks display and massive confetti cannon to end the night.

On Friday night it was easy to see that the Firefly Music Festival has come a long way since it first came to Dover in 2012. In its first year, the event drew 35,000 people; this year, tickets sold out at the 90,000 mark.

And on Friday night, the biggest name in the festival’s now-fourth year took the main stage.

Paul McCartney’s fans were not disappointed.

“That’s what I’m here for,” said Carter Lavellee, who traveled from Rochestor, N.Y.

Mr. Lavellee, who has been a fan of Paul McCartney since he was young, described going to the festival as a pilgrimage.

Carolyn Cohee, who was sitting on a bench not far from the main stage Friday night, said she was “absolutely” looking forward to seeing Paul McCartney.

“That’s why we’ve been holding the seat for the past six hours,” she said.

While sitting on the bench she said she’s enjoyed people-watching and catching familiar music from the nearby stages.

“I’m the type of person who listens to all kinds of music,” she said.

This is her first year at Firefly, but it’s her husband’s third year. They bought tickets the first day sales were open, she said. They’re both fans of live music.

“There’s something about it a radio can’t touch,” she said.

Of Paul McCartney, she said she admires that “he has remained true to himself.”

Beatles fan Kyle Guzman and Caroline Cardoso, both 19 and of East Windsor, N.J., were excited to see Sir Paul McCartney in concert Friday. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)

Her husband, Roland Cohee, said he was raised on listening to the Beatles.

“I don’t get to see them all, but if I see one, I’m a happy camper,” he said.

“Its one of the best ways to end a work week,” Ms. Cohee said.

In his remarks at a press conference earlier Friday, festival director Greg Bostrom of Red Frog Events thanked local agencies, legislators and Dover International Speedway staff for turning the festival into a success.

“This has been a big year for Firefly,” he said. “Our little community keeps growing.”

In its fourth year, Mr. Bostrom said, the festival continues to improve.

This year, organizers added two new stages, the Treehouse Stage, which is tucked away in the woods, and the Pavilion stage, a large barn-like structure.

The festival also announced a partnership with Goldenvoice, the producer of Coachella Valley Music, in 2014.

“As a festival producer, they are the rockstars …we’re so excited with what they can do to continue to grow this festival,” Mr. Bostrom said.

For a complete recap of the McCartney show, see Sunday’s Delaware State News.

Features editor Craig Horleman contributed to this story.

Gov. Jack Markell ran down a short list of musical acts he hopes to see this weekend at Firefly including Modest Mouse, Morrisey, Paul McCartney and Spoon during a press conference at Firefly Friday.

White paper egrets hang over a walkway at Firefly Friday afternoon

Knox Hamilton perform Friday on the Lawn stage

The crowd at one of Friday's Firefly concerts jammed up tight along the photo pit wall.

Wild Party perfoms to applause and cheers from the crowd

The Hunts of Chesapeake, VA perform on the Lawn stage Friday afternoon.

From left, Firefly Music Festival fans Madeline DoNatto, 18, Natalie Bock, 17 and Lucy Mernit, 17 all of Baltimore, MD try to navigate their way across a muddy pathway Friday

Liam Ridings, 18 of York, PA obliviously walks across a soaking wet mud path while on his smartphone.

The recent rain storms have left the grounds at Firefly Music Festival very muddy indeed.

Tom Flinn of Milford relaxes Friday afternoon ready to see one of his musical idols Paul McCartney Friday at Firefly.

Beatles fan Kyle Guzman and Caroline Cardoso, both 19 of East Windsor, NJ, were very excited to see Sir Paul McCartney in concert Friday.

Firefly Music Festival goers react to one of the bands performing on the stages at The Woodlands Friday

Edmund Kingham, 17, and Molly Brenner, 18, both of Danbury, CT, perform a Firefly dance Friday as the enjoy the tunes in the Woodlands.

Michael Natrin and Erin Magnin of Newark cheer on local band Fiance'

20dsn Firefly Friday 004 press conf

Happy to see his Dover friends again, Firefly Music Festival Director Greg Bostrom remarked that Firefly being back was like a big family reunion in the capital of the First State during a Friday press conference at The Woodlands

From right, Marco Dunlap of Newark jokes around with pals Tony Drew of Austin, TX and Marcus Potter of Lafayette, LA.

Nick Wilson, 19 and Emily Taylor, 18, both of Bel Air, MD live the hippie dream lifestyle Friday at Firefly.

From left, Hanging in the Hammock Hangout, Maleeha Ain, Matt Crooks and Lily Hamilton, all 18 of Leesburg, VA, relax in the woods near Dover International Speedway Friday.

Newark-based group Fiance' performs on the Forest stage Friday

Daniel Rottenborn hugs his girlfriend Ella Gambell, both of Yardley, PA, far right, as they wait for the gates to open Thursday evening during the first night of the 4th annual Firefly Music Festival

Firefly concert goers applaud Thursday evening during the set of the first band to play the music festival Cypher Clique, a local Dover based hip-hop group

Dover based hip hop group Cypher Clique featuring Jamal "Relay" James was the first group to perform Thursday evening at Firefly

Andrew Kolakowski of Clayton brought his wife Kelly, sons Roman, 15, and Zarek 11 and daughter Juilana, 15 to their annual musical Firefly pilgrimage

Young Rising Sun members perform on the Lawn Stage

From left, Firefly fans Holly Stevens of Newark, Haily Fontana of Newark, Kaitlin Haras of Wilmington, Jaida Barnes of Newark and Hanna Grabowski of Newark

Campbell King of Richmond, VA searches for friends amongst thousands of Firefly fans Thursday lined up waiting for the main gates to open.

Johanna Marie Matic of Dover, NJ does a roadside dance Thursday ready for the festival to begin.

Pat Clark of Mineola, NY and his pals use a selfie stick and take photos of themselves walking past The Monster Mile towards The Woodlands for the 4th annual Firefly Music Festival.

Macky Trabaudo of Clayton was one of many local people enjoying the Firefly Music Festival Thursday.

Elijah Cruise and Olivia Perdomo of Knoxville, TN entertain themselves Thursday afternoon with a beach ball as they wait in line along Persimmon Tree Road with thousands of other Firefly Music Festival fans.

Firefly fans go berserk as the main gates open at 5pm

Hundreds of Firefly Music Festival fans rush through the main gates Thursday evening at 5pm ready for their fun-filled weekend to begin.

From left, Firefly Music Festival attendees Rhonda Webb of Cleveland, OH; Danny Reardon of Cleveland, Shawn White of Cleveland; Dave Butler and Amy Coyle of Baltimore, MD and Buddy Reardon of Cleveland have an impromptu jam session at their campsite at The Woodlands Wednesday evening.

Tents for Firefly campers sit in a field in The Woodlands

From left, Tyler Lozzi, Tyler Shimkus, Kyle McKane and Katie Ernest of Binghampton, NY play a drinking game with playing cards and ice cold beer after arriving in Dover.

The campgrounds at The Woodlands were active Wednesday evening with campers starting to arrive in Dover for this weekend's Firefly Music Festival.

Rob Hilgefort of Park Hills, KY, right, and Don Honaker of Lexington, KY, walk around the Firefly Music Festival campgrounds with a GoPro camera filming campers.

With their camper, giant American flag and bicycle, 4-year Firefly Music Festival veteran Ryland Shattuck of Hockessin, his girlfriend Shannon Collins and his brother henry Shattuck, 15, were ready to take on the 4-day festival Wednesday evening.

Firefly fan Chris Harris of Smyrna topples the wooden tower during he and his fellow music festival campers' game of Giant Jenga.

Lauren Thompson of Finksburg, MD plays a round of ladderball at her Firefly campsite Wednesday evening.

Kent County Dept. of Public Safety asst. director of Public Safety/EMS Cindy Grygo of Hartly stands insie a trailer on the Firefly Music Festival grounds next to bags of paramedic equipment Wednesday.

Hartly Fire Company members Rob Barnes, left, and Greg Murray pull out their state-of-the-art stretcher from their ambulance at The Woodlands ready for any Firefly injuries.

Good News Natural Foods co-owners Marcia and Richard Collins of Milford hold a basket of fresh produce Thursday in their Governors Avenue store. The couple, longtime Beatles fans, were overjoyed to supply Sir Paul McCartney with 1,100 pounds of all organic produce for his entourage of 65 people to enjoy during the Firefly Music Festival.

A group of Firefly Music Festival party animals drives past Persimmon Tree Apartments Thursday morning on a golf cart.

The traffic was baked up along Persimmon Tree Road in front of Persimmon Tree Apartments Thursday morning with early Firefly attendees arriving being stopped at various security checkpoints.

Dawne Nickerson-Banez, owner of Frankfurt Bakery and Deli along Governors Avenue will be baking cupcakes for Friday's artist catering at Firefly Music Festival.