NEW YORK — Paul McCartney last performed in the New York area three years ago at the vast MetLife Stadium, which accommodates 82,500 fans. This time, however, he surprised everyone with a more intimate show at the Bowery Ballroom, a venue that seats a mere 575 concertgoers. The setup for the show was tight, with McCartney’s sound equipment taking up some of the floor space, creating a cozy, albeit crowded atmosphere. The announcement of the surprise gig came just hours before he took the stage.
The news spread like wildfire across Manhattan, reminiscent of the Beatlemania era, prompting eager fans to rush to Delancey Street in hopes of securing one of the limited tickets. Those present, including McCartney, found the situation hard to believe. “So, here we are,” he said with a big smile. “Some little gig. New York. Why not?”
In a moment of reflection before launching into “Let Me Roll It,” he added, “I can’t quite believe we’re here, doing this. But we are here, doing this.” This surprise appearance wasn’t McCartney’s first unannounced performance. The Beatles famously played on the roof of their Apple Corps office in London back in 1969, and McCartney has made a habit of similar spontaneous concerts during his trips to New York City.
In 2009, he performed outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, while in 2018, he surprised fans at Grand Central Terminal to promote his album “Egypt Station.” With temperatures hovering in the low 30s, McCartney chose to perform indoors this time. Tickets were exclusively sold at the venue, one per person, and they were quickly snatched up in about half an hour, leaving fortunate fans feeling as if they’d hit the jackpot.
Amy Jaffe, a 69-year-old fan who saw the announcement on Instagram, rushed to the Bowery from her home about 30 blocks away. She admitted, “I thought: I can do this,” and quickly got ready to go. Having seen McCartney perform multiple times, including a Beatles concert in 1964, she was still taken aback, saying, “I don’t actually believe it.”
Phil Sokoloff, 31, was nearby on his way to work when he learned about the show. He relayed the news to his co-worker, Mat Fuller, and they hurried over to the ballroom, excited by their good fortune. McCartney finally took the stage around 6:30 p.m., joined by his usual band and a three-piece horn section. Despite having only rehearsed once the day before, the energy was palpable. “You don’t need to rehearse!” shouted a fan from the audience, capturing the spirit of the evening.
While the venue had a straightforward feel, McCartney didn’t hold back on the performance itself, delivering a high-energy set that spanned his extensive catalog, including beloved Beatles classics and Wings favorites. He kicked things off with “A Hard Day’s Night” and also played “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,” and “Hey Jude.”
One of the highlights was a solo acoustic rendition of “Blackbird,” during which McCartney reminisced about writing the song in support of the Civil Rights Movement. He reflected on the early years with John Lennon and how their songs were crafted for the audience, always aimed at connecting with fans.
Before playing “Mrs. Vanderbilt,” he recalled an emotional performance in Kyiv in front of 350,000 people during a time of newfound freedom for Ukraine, expressing hopes for a swift return to that spirit. The show was also filled with lively interactions between McCartney and the audience. After one enthusiastic shout, he remarked, “That was a Beatles scream,” requesting an even louder response from the crowd.
McCartney included “Now and Then,” a posthumous track by Lennon that was recently released, which stirred nostalgic feelings for his late bandmate. “Let’s hear it for John,” he prompted the audience, who passionately joined in.
Recently spotted at the Super Bowl in New Orleans chatting with Adam Sandler, McCartney was in New York for the highly anticipated “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary, where he’ll guest star in a star-studded special. While it wasn’t clear whether this was a one-time performance or part of something larger, he wrapped up the evening with an encore.
Concluding the show with the iconic songs “Carry That Weight” and “The End,” McCartney left the audience with a lasting message: “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” The crowd, still in disbelief, poured out onto the streets just as the first snowflakes began to fall, marking the end of a truly unforgettable night.
