Beatles star lands in the Hawkes Bay

Music legend Sir Paul McCartney is believed to be in Hawke's Bay after arriving by private jet last night.

The jet, which touched down at Hawke's Bay Airport late last night, is believed to have brought the former Beatle from Australia where he played a three-hour concert in Sydney on Monday night.

Hawke's Bay Today could not establish where McCartney was staying, but it is understood he is in the region for a break ahead of his concert at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday night.

A member of the plane's crew told the newspaper at the airport that "he's left already" and wanted to know how Hawke's Bay Today knew about the arrival.

The plane landed after the normal daily schedule of flights had ended yesterday.

McCartney floored audiences with his 40-song set, which is being described as "epic" and "a musical experience like few others" in the Australian press.

The Sydney Morning Herald awarded Monday night's show 4.5 stars and dismissed any fears that McCartney was simply phoning it in.

"Best of all, the show proves much more than an ageing rock star turning up, cashing in and helping a few thousand people with their bucket lists. By the end, it genuinely turns out to be a musical experience like few others."

• Paul McCartney plays Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.

Hawkes Bay Today.