Sir Paul McCartney has evoked the spirit of The Beatles' early days at Liverpool's Cavern Club after performing a series of surprise, intimate concerts in New York City. New behind-the-scenes footage reveals the music icon's reaction to playing for just a few hundred fans, a stark contrast to his usual stadium tours.
The shows, held at the 600-capacity Bowery Ballroom, were designed to give genuine fans a unique experience, with an in-person, first-come, first-served ticket policy to prevent online scalping. The response from fans and the atmosphere of the small venue left McCartney reflecting on his roots.
Key Takeaways
- Paul McCartney played three surprise gigs at New York's 600-capacity Bowery Ballroom in February 2025.
- Tickets were sold in-person for $50 to combat scalpers, selling out within 30 minutes each night.
- New tour diary footage shows emotional fan reactions and McCartney's backstage preparations.
- McCartney compared the intimate atmosphere to his early performances at Liverpool's Cavern Club.
- The setlist included Beatles classics, Wings hits, and the recently released song 'Now and Then'.
Surprise Gigs Stir Frenzy in New York
In a move that surprised the music world, Paul McCartney announced three impromptu performances at the Bowery Ballroom earlier this year. The first show, held on February 11, 2025, was revealed via his social media channels just moments before it was due to start, causing a rush of fans to the downtown Manhattan venue.
The ticketing process was deliberately old-fashioned. No online sales were permitted. Instead, approximately 575 tickets for each show were sold directly from the venue's box office on a first-come, first-served basis. According to reports, all available tickets were claimed within half an hour each night as fans queued for a chance to see the legend up close.
By the Numbers: The Bowery Shows
- Venue Capacity: ~600 people
- Tickets Available: ~575 per night
- Ticket Price: $50
- Sell-Out Time: 30 minutes
- Number of Shows: 3
This approach was a conscious decision to ensure dedicated fans could attend without paying inflated reseller prices. In the newly released tour diary, McCartney expressed his satisfaction with this method, highlighting his desire to cut out scalpers and make the experience accessible.
An Intimate Performance and Classic Setlist
Onstage, McCartney was joined by his long-time touring band and a three-piece horn section. He told the audience they had only rehearsed once the day before, prompting a fan to shout, "You don’t need to rehearse!"
The atmosphere was informal and personal. "So, here we are, some little gig. New York. Why not?" McCartney remarked to the small crowd. He later added, "I can’t quite believe we’re here, doing this. But we are here, doing this."
A Journey Through Musical History
The setlist was a comprehensive tour of McCartney's career. He opened with the Beatles classic 'A Hard Day’s Night' and performed a range of beloved songs, including:
- 'Got To Get You Into My Life'
- 'Maybe I’m Amazed'
- 'Lady Madonna'
- 'Jet'
- 'Get Back'
- 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da'
- 'Let It Be'
- 'Hey Jude'
The performance also included 'Now and Then', the track released in 2023 that is often referred to as the final Beatles song. The song, which originated from a late 1970s demo by John Lennon, was completed using technology from Peter Jackson's 2021 documentary, 'The Beatles: Get Back'.
"Let’s hear it for John," McCartney said after performing the song, acknowledging his late songwriting partner's love for New York City.
Emotional Moments On and Off Stage
The newly released YouTube tour diary captures the raw emotion surrounding the concerts. Footage shows fans camping out and the subsequent chaotic but joyful rush to secure tickets. Several fans are seen in tears after successfully purchasing their entry passes, overwhelmed by the opportunity to see a music icon in such a small setting.
A Nod to Global Events
Before playing the Wings song 'Mrs Vanderbilt', McCartney recalled performing it for a crowd of 350,000 people in Kyiv, Ukraine, during a period of newfound freedom for the country. He shared a message of support, stating, "Let’s hope it gets back to that soon." This moment added a poignant, contemporary context to the nostalgic performance.
The behind-the-scenes video also provides a glimpse into the preparations before McCartney and his band took the stage each night. The clips underscore the unique, stripped-back nature of the event compared to the massive logistics of a typical stadium show.
"Take Me Back to the Cavern"
After the first night, McCartney reflected on the experience. "Lovely being back in New York City, great crowd, lots of young kids - we love them," he said. "Reminds me of the old days."
This sentiment grew stronger over the three nights. The energy and intimacy of the Bowery Ballroom clearly resonated with him, taking him back to the very beginning of his career in Liverpool.
Following the final performance, his verdict was clear and heartfelt. The tour diary captures his final thoughts on the run of shows:
"Beautiful, loved it, really. Take me back to the Cavern, baby."
This simple statement connects his global superstardom directly back to the small, crowded basement club in Mathew Street where The Beatles honed their craft. For McCartney, the thrill of connecting with an audience in a small room remains a powerful and cherished experience, proving that even after decades of playing to millions, the magic of an intimate gig is unparalleled.