Paul McCartney ‘Gets Back’ to his roots with surprise gig at renowned New York theatre

Legendary entertainer Paul McCartney staged a surprise performance at a small New York theatre, much to the delight of the lucky fans who made it to the gig.

The surprise show, held at the legendary Bowery Ballroom, was announced earlier in the day and tickets had to be purchased at the door. Unsurprisingly, tickets sold out in 30 minutes.

As the news swept through Manhattan, it sent New Yorkers sprinting through the streets for a chance to snag one of the few tickets at the show.

Most in attendance, including the 82 year old artist, could hardly believe it was happening.

“So, here we are,” he said.

“Some little gig. New York. Why not.

“I can’t quite believe we’re here, doing this. But we are here, doing this.”

McCartney has previously played impromptu shows when visiting the city. This time he was joined by his regular band, along with a three-member horn section and played a set that chronicled his entire catalogue, from Beatles classics to Wings hits.

He began with A Hard Day’s Night and also performed 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.

McCartney also performed the so-called last Beatles song,  Now and Then, a ballad penned by Lennon in the late ’70s but only released in 2023 for the Peter Jackson documentary, The Beatles: Get Back.

He then paid tribute to his songwriting partner, whom he noted loved New York.

“Let’s hear it for John,” he said.

A crowd member asked McCartney if it could go all night but the famed artist responded that “some of us need to get some sleep, you know.”

For some in the audience, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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 told Associated Press.

“I’m always learning about these things the day after.”

While most of us won’t get the chance to see him in a sweaty New York theatre, the former Wings front man shows no signs of slowing down.

In December,  McCartney finished the last leg of his international Got Back tour at London’s O2 Arena, during which he performed hits spanning his career from The Quarrymen to Beatlemania, Wings, and his solo material, while also paying tribute to his late bandmates.

– with AP.