Published: December 3, 2024 — This Christmas, Sky Arts audiences will be treated to an opportunity to step back in time to 1974 and witness the magic of Paul McCartney and Wings: One Hand Clapping.

Presented by Mercury Studios, the film offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the 1974 Abbey Road recording sessions, featuring footage of solo acoustic performance by Paul McCartney previously unreleased in full.

One Hand Clapping was recorded on video tape, capturing the look and feel of the time, and features rare footage, interviews with the band, and insights from the creative team. Audiences can re-live iconic Wings hits, a reimagined Beatles classic, and captivating performances, all on Sky Arts this Boxing Day.

Paul McCartney said: “It’s so great to look back on that period and see the little live show we did. We made a pretty good noise actually! It was a great time for the band, we started to have success with Wings, which had been a long time coming.”

Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, said: “Paul McCartney’s Wings never really get the credit they deserve… so we’re excited to bring you this brilliant, filmed insight into the band’s creative process. Another treat for the Sky Arts audience this Christmas.”

Paul McCartney and Wings: One Hand Clapping will air 26 December at 9pm on Sky Arts and NOW

Notes for Editors

Paul McCartney and Wings: One Hand Clapping is an MPL film, executive produced by Paul McCartney and produced by Ben Chappell. It was directed by David Litchfield. Sky Arts programmes are commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky for Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios & Chief Content Officer for Sky. Jack Oliver is Head of Co-Productions for Sky Arts.

One Hand Clapping showcased Wings’ new line-up, fresh off their return from Nashville where they recorded the classic single “Junior’s Farm”. Following the sudden departure of Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough the previous year on the eve of recording the Wings masterpiece, released the year previously, Band on the Run, Paul (vocals, bass, piano, electric piano, Hammond organ, celeste, harmonium, acoustic guitar), Linda (Moog, electric piano, Mellotron, tambourine, backing vocals) and Denny Laine (vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass) were now joined by guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton. Additionally joining the band in the studio were orchestral arranger Del Newman and saxophonist Howie Casey, who had previously played with Paul in Hamburg and would go on to join the Wings touring band.

PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTED FOR ITS LIMITED THEATER RELEASE:

Published: August 16, 2024 — Paul McCartney and Wings – One Hand Clapping
Limited Screening Beginning September 26
Tickets at https://www.onehandclapping.film/

Directed by David Litchfield, this film captured a moment when Paul McCartney and Wings had found and defined their signature sound. Filmed over four days at Abbey Road Studios in August 1974, the film provides an insight into the inner workings of the band as they work and play together in the studio. Including performances of tracks from Wings masterpiece Band on the Run (released in 1973), intimate footage of the band hanging out in the studio, combined with audio interview snippets, the film also includes previously unreleased full footage of a solo acoustic performance by Paul called The Backyard Sessions.

In addition to the film, this screening event includes an introduction by Paul McCartney recorded exclusively for movie theatre audiences as well as unseen Polaroids of the band.