In the 59 years since the Beatles last played a sold-out stadium, the myth of the Fab Four has only expanded. Paul McCartney's prestige makes the productivity of his late life much more alluring—imagine if Edison were still inventing, or Aristotle were still giving lectures.
That allure is what seemingly drew thousands of New Yorkers toward the Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday at noon, when Sir Macca announced that that evening, he would be playing an intimate show at the 575-capacity venue, which is typically reserved for touring indie bands and local underground stars. By the time most found out about Tuesday's show, it had already sold out.
People who didn't find themselves in sprinting distance of the Lower East Side found a second chance on Wednesday, when McCartney confirmed he would play another show that night. Even before the ticket sales were announced at 10 a.m., a line of about 100 people had already formed.
On Thursday morning, despite no official word there would even be another show, people suspected that if lightning struck twice, it must come down again a third time. I was one of those people. All of my weaving through decades of music, both mainstream and underground, has always led me back to the Beatles and their accomplishments. To see the former Beatle in such an intimate setting? I might not ever get another opportunity like this again.
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