Actor Johnny Depp took to the stage in England for a surprise concert appearance just days after closing arguments were delivered in his defamation trial.
The Hollywood Reporter noted multiple posts on social media and videos shared online show Depp surprised fans by joining Jeff Beck for a performance in Sheffield.
They performed their collaboration from 2020 “Isolation,” a remake of a song by John Lennon.
Additionally, according to the outlet, they performed a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.”
Check out a part of their performance below:
Beck said in a statement on his website in 2020, “Johnny and I have been working on music together for a while now and we recorded this track during our time in the studio last year. We weren’t expecting to release it so soon but given all the hard days and true ‘isolation’ that people are going through in these challenging times, we decided now might be the right time to let you all hear it.”
He added, “You’ll be hearing more from Johnny and me in a little while but until then we hope you find some comfort and solidarity in our take on this Lennon classic.”
Depp said he and Beck “recorded this song Isolation last year, as our take on a beautiful John Lennon tune. Lennon’s poetry – ‘We’re afraid of everyone. Afraid of the Sun!’ – seemed to Jeff and me especially profound right now, this song about isolation, fear, and existential risks to our world.”
He continued, “So we wanted to give it to you, and hope it helps you make sense of the moment or just helps you pass the time as we endure isolation together.”
Depp is suing his ex-wife, Amber Heard, for $50 million over an op-ed she published in 2018 in The Washington Post, saying she is “a public figure representing domestic abuse,” as CBS News reported.
The outlet noted the piece never mentions Depp specifically.
Still, his lawyer Benjamin Chew said, “She didn’t mention his name. She didn’t have to.”
He added, “Everyone knew exactly who and what Ms. Heard was talking about.”
Lawyer Camille Vasquez argued Heard “ruined his life by falsely telling the world she was a survivor of domestic abuse at the hands of Mr. Depp.”
After Depp’s lawyer called her allegations a hoax, Heard filed a $100 million counterclaim against the actor.
Heard lawyer Elaine Bredehoft told the jury, “We’re asking you to finally hold this man responsible,” adding, “He has never accepted responsibility for anything in his life.”
