Globe columnist Peter Grant meets Paul McCartney... Italian style.

Emanuele Angeletti has been playing Paul McCartney for 18 years.

Now the Italian-born musician is bringing his spectacular show Macca the Concert to Wirral.

The brand new state-of-the art gig has been given the thumbs up by Sir Paul’s own MPL organisation.

Now, along with a live on stage band, it is set to amaze fans with what the accomplished musician proudly calls a ‘quality production with visual media projection throughout’.

It arrives for one night only at the Floral Pavilion on January 21.

Manny, as friends call him, took time off from rehearsals to speak to the Globe on a hot-line from Italy.

"I have played Liverpool many times with Let it Be at the Empire, Royal Court, Hard Day’s Night Hotel and The Cavern.

"Audiences there are the best. I am looking forward to visiting Merseyside as part of 2018 UK and European dates.

"I am also doing a Norwegian tour in Autumn." 

It was while doing the smash hit musical Let it Be that producers contacted Manny with the possibility of doing a dedicated, all-out McCartney show.

A Macca magical history tour of sorts.

He has met Paul only once - back in his native Italy - but since then Manny has clearly picked up many of his hero’s mannerisms which he uses to great effect while performing.

"The main aspect of the show is the music but the mannerisms are very important. But the music is the real star." 

Manny was born in 1975 in the Italian town of Civita Castellana and he grew up listening to Beatle music.

He can’ t remember the one song that made him want to pursue a musical career.

Although he is right-handed he says becoming a left-handed bass guitarist like Hofner-playing Paul was hard but it helped that he absolutely loves his job and what he calls Macca’s inspirational legacy of ‘pure musicality.’

He says that making a final set list from McCartney’s work was a real labour of love.

"Paul has a big back-catalogue from The Beatles to solo work.

"Band on the Run is such a rich song.

"The Long and Winding Road is an intense work on piano and No More Lonely Nights is the perfect pop hit." 

Away from the smash hit musical Let it Be, Manny is a singer-songwriter and has also fronted his own band The Apple Pies since 1999.

Last May they had a fab reunion.

There have been plenty of Beatle tribute shows and bands so what makes Macca the Concert stand out?

Manny says: ‘‘The main difference is the period we recreate. All the Beatle shows do the sixties.

"We are performing McCartney music from that decade until today. So what can the audience expect when Macca the Concert arrives in Wirral?

"If you are a Paul fan it is the right show for you.

"A two hour trip through his beautiful music." 

Macca the Concert - January 21, 2018

For tickets call the box office on 0151 666 000.