According to the Associated Press, Springsteen—who is notorious for extremely long concerts—had already gone a half hour past curfew when McCartney came out:
Springsteen had already exceeded the 10:30 p.m. curfew by half an hour Saturday night when he welcomed McCartney on stage and the pair sang the Beatles hits "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Twist and Shout." But the microphones were turned off before they could thank the crowd, forcing them to leave the stage in silence.
A statement from concert organizer Live Nation said it was unfortunate that Springsteen's three-hour-plus performance was stopped "right at the very end," but it said that the curfew had been laid down by the authorities "in the interest of the public's health and safety."
Afterwards, the E Street Band's longtime guitarist Steven Van Zandt vented his frustrations on Twitter, calling England a police state.
One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state?
One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state?-- Steven Van Zandt
We break curfews in every country but only English cops needs to "punish us" by not letting us leave until the entire crowd goes.
We break curfews in every country but only English cops needs to "punish us" by not letting us leave until the entire crowd goes.-- Steven Van Zandt
Is there just too much fun in the world? We would have been off by 11 if we'd done one more. On a Saturday night! Who were we disturbing?
Is there just too much fun in the world? We would have been off by 11 if we'd done one more. On a Saturday night! Who were we disturbing?-- Steven Van Zandt
The cops got nothing more important to do? How about they go catch some criminals instead of fucking with 80,000 people having a good time?
The cops got nothing more important to do? How about they go catch some criminals instead of fucking with 80,000 people having a good time?-- Steven Van Zandt
English cops may be the only individuals left on earth that wouldn't want to hear one more from Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney!
English cops may be the only individuals left on earth that wouldn't want to hear one more from Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney!-- Steven Van Zandt
I'm sorry but I have to be honest I'm pissed. Like I said, it didn't ruin the great night. But when I'm jamming with McCartney don't bug me!
I'm sorry but I have to be honest I'm pissed. Like I said, it didn't ruin the great night. But when I'm jamming with McCartney don't bug me!-- Steven Van Zandt
