Sir Paul McCartney is back in the city to celebrate LIPA students graduating

Sir Paul McCartney is back in the city to celebrate LIPA students graduating

Sir Paul McCartney Returns to Liverpool to Celebrate LIPA Graduates: A Heartfelt Homecoming

In a scene brimming with pride, nostalgia, and joy, Sir Paul McCartney returned to his beloved hometown of Liverpool to celebrate the graduation ceremony of students from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), a school he co-founded nearly three decades ago. As the sun shone down on Mount Street, hundreds of eager graduates, their families, faculty, and fans gathered in anticipation of witnessing one of the most iconic figures in music history honor the next generation of creative talent.

Now 83, McCartney stood tall and radiant as he addressed the 2025 graduating class, offering both wisdom and warmth in equal measure. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, his signature charm undiminished by time, he took to the podium inside LIPA’s Paul McCartney Auditorium — a fitting venue named after the man who helped transform the once-derelict Liverpool Institute High School into a world-renowned creative arts institution.

“You are the future of art, of music, of theatre — of passion,” McCartney said, his voice ringing clear and sincere. “When I was growing up in this city, all I had was a guitar, a dream, and a couple of mates who believed we could do something different. Never let anyone tell you it’s impossible.”

His return is more than just ceremonial — it is deeply personal. The very building that now houses LIPA is where McCartney and late Beatles bandmate George Harrison once studied. In the early 1990s, McCartney led the effort to rescue the crumbling Victorian structure and convert it into a cutting-edge performing arts institute. Since its official opening in 1996, LIPA has become a global beacon for aspiring artists, attracting students from more than 40 countries.

This year’s graduation was especially emotional. As McCartney handed out diplomas and shook hands with each graduate, many students were visibly moved. Some fought back tears; others grinned ear to ear at the surreal moment of meeting the music legend in person.

One graduate, Hannah Morgan from Sheffield, who studied Sound Technology, said, “Getting my diploma from Paul McCartney — it’s beyond words. He’s inspired my whole generation. This is a dream come true.”

As the ceremony progressed, McCartney took a moment to acknowledge the challenges young artists face today. “I know it’s not easy out there,” he said. “But remember, it never was easy. The world needs your voice, your originality, your bravery. Don’t follow the trends — make them.”

Following the formalities, McCartney, ever the performer, gave a surprise acoustic rendition of “Here Comes the Sun,” dedicating it to the graduates as a “song of hope for all your journeys ahead.” The entire auditorium erupted into applause, with some attendees singing along quietly, tears streaming down their cheeks.

In a press gathering afterward, McCartney reflected on the significance of LIPA in his life. “It’s one of the things I’m most proud of,” he said. “People think it’s just about my music career, but LIPA — that’s a legacy that keeps on giving. Seeing these students go out into the world, full of talent and courage — that’s what it’s all about.”

Liverpool itself seemed to bask in McCartney’s presence. The city center was decorated with banners welcoming him home, and fans lined the streets outside the LIPA campus hoping to catch a glimpse. Some came from far across the UK and even overseas, holding Beatles memorabilia, guitars, and letters of gratitude.

In tandem with the graduation, LIPA unveiled a new initiative: the McCartney Creative Grant, a fund aimed at supporting graduates in launching their first independent artistic projects. McCartney personally contributed to the fund, stating, “Everyone needs a little help starting out. If this grant helps just one student make their first film, record their first album, or stage their first play, it’s worth it.”

The announcement was met with thunderous applause and gratitude from students and faculty alike. Mark Featherstone-Witty, LIPA’s founding principal and long-time collaborator with McCartney, praised the former Beatle’s continued involvement. “Paul has never just put his name on this building and walked away,” he said. “He’s here every year. He listens. He mentors. He cares.”

As the day wound down and the campus buzzed with celebration, the sense of legacy was palpable. McCartney, surrounded by students, staff, and alumni, posed for photos and shared laughs — a living bridge between generations of artists.

Before departing, he left the graduates with one final piece of advice: “Stay curious. Stay kind. Keep creating. And never forget — from small beginnings, great things can grow.”

Sir Paul McCartney’s return to LIPA was more than just a star-studded appearance — it was a reaffirmation of faith in the transformative power of the arts. For the class of 2025, it was a send-off they will carry for the rest of their lives, led by a man who proved that dreams born in Liverpool can echo across the world.