Paul McCartney Rocks the Bowery: Inside His Surprise NYC Concert
A Surprise Show in the Heart of Manhattan
Paul McCartney’s previous New York-area performance took place three years ago at MetLife Stadium, capacity 82,500. His surprise show Tuesday night at the Bowery Ballroom fit, at most, 575. It was probably less than that since McCartney’s sound board and gear — too much to fit backstage — occupied a portion of the floor space at the venerable downtown theater. The whole thing felt like, and was, a lark. McCartney announced the show just hours before taking the stage.
A Last-Minute Rush to Get Tickets
Like an echo of Beatlemania, the news swept through Manhattan and beyond earlier in the day, sending New Yorkers sprinting down Delancey Street for a chance to snag one of the few tickets at the Bowery. Most in attendance, including McCartney, himself, could hardly believe it was happening.
A Night to Remember
“So, here we are,” McCartney said, grinning. “Some little gig. New York. Why not?” Later, he added before launching into “Let Me Roll It”: “I can’t quite believe we’re here, doing this. But we are here, doing this.”
A Tradition of Impromptu Performances
It was not McCartney’s first impromptu concert. The Beatles, of course, famously performed atop the roof of their Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row in London in 1969. Since then he’s made something of a habit of it on trips to New York. In 2009, McCartney returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater, site of the Beatles’ famous U.S. debut, and performed above the marquee. In 2018, he popped up in Grand Central Terminal to promote the release of his “Egypt Station.”
A Blistering Tour Through His Catalog
With temperatures in the low 30s on Tuesday, McCartney, 82, this time opted for an intimate, indoor show. Tickets were sold only physically at the venue, one per person. All were snapped up within about 30 minutes. For those quick enough, it was like hitting the lottery.
Fans Share Their Stories
Amy Jaffe, 69, was at home about 30 blocks north when she saw the announcement on Instagram. “I thought: I can do this,” Jaffe said before the show. “I put on jeans, grabbed a coat, called a Lyft.” Jaffe has seen McCartney many times before, including with the Beatles in 1964 in Forrest Hills, Queens. But she was still incredulous, smiling and shaking her head: “I don’t actually believe it.”
Phil Sokoloff, 31, was on his way to work nearby when he saw the news. He ran in and told his co-worker, Mat Fuller, and they rushed over to the Bowery Ballroom. “We just got lucky,” Sokoloff said. “I’m always learning about these things the day after.”
A Show to Remember
McCartney took the stage roughly on time at 6:30 p.m. with his regular band, along with a three-member horn section. They had only rehearsed once, the day before, McCartney said. Someone shouted: “You don’t need to rehearse!” If the location was stripped down, the former Beatle didn’t come with a minimized show, packing in a blistering tour through his entire catalog, from Beatles classics to Wings hits.
Reflections on His Music and Legacy
“Blackbird” was a solo number on acoustic guitar, and afterward McCartney reflected on how he wrote it for the Civil Rights Movement, a memory that brought back his first trips to the United States. “We were just kids,” McCartney said. “I’ve got grandchildren older than that now.” In the early days, he said, he and John Lennon were always writing for the audience, and the songs were all about reaching out: “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “From Me to You.” “It had everything to do with the fans, really.”
Conclusion
The crowd, still in disbelief, spilled out into the street. Snow had begun to fall. It was a one-night-only event, but the memories will last a lifetime.
FAQs
* Was this a one-off show or part of a larger tour?
It’s unclear if McCartney was playing a single show or preparing for something more.
* What was the significance of this performance?
It marked a return to the intimate, impromptu shows McCartney used to play in the early days of the Beatles.
* What was the setlist like?
It included a blistering tour through McCartney’s entire catalog, from Beatles classics to Wings hits.
* How many people attended the show?
The capacity of the Bowery Ballroom is approximately 575, but it’s likely the actual attendance was lower due to the limited space required for McCartney’s sound board and gear.
