A last-minute gig at the Bowery Ballroom saw the star play to a smaller crowd than usual, with stories interspersed among classic Beatles and Wings hits

Yesterday, an announcement went out at noon: Paul McCartney would be playing a surprise pop-up show in New York City, tonight. Bear in mind, the last he played in the area, in June 2022, was at the nearby MetLife Stadium with its 82,000 capacity. But for this special engagement, just 575 people would come together to watch the music icon at the comparatively minuscule Bowery Ballroom.

Naturally, tickets disappeared immediately, with stories of hopeful attenders physically running (yes, running!) down to the venue for box office-only sales. And lest you think Macca would use the opportunity to line his coffers, think again: tickets were sold for just $50 a pop, the price of a beer and a snack at most concerts.