July 23, 2018: Paul McCartney Returns to Abbey Road

When Paul McCartney played the second—of a number of private concerts at smaller venues—on July 23, 2018, in Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios, fans were banned from using their smartphones. Nearly two months later, we discovered why. He announced on September 13 of that year that a documentary of the performance would premiere the next day on Spotify.

We took @paulmccartney back to Abbey Road Studios for an unforgettable performance with his biggest fans. Stay tuned for the documentary Under The Staircase, coming this Friday. pic.twitter.com/s9EQncsdpG

— Spotify (@Spotify) September 11, 2018

The 76-year-old played a 23-song set that featured music from throughout his career, including several from his upcoming release. Among those in attendance were three of his adult children, Mary, Stella and James, as well as celebrity guests Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Nile Rodgers.

McCartney at the Abbey Road crosswalk

But first, McCartney walked across the Abbey Road crosswalk made famous by the Beatles on the iconic album cover, that’s been reenacted by countless fans.

The Beatles’ Abbey Road photo shoot took place on August 8, 1969.

Watch the BBC’s report of McCartney’s stroll on the Abbey Road crosswalk

During the performance for the select audience, McCartney reminisced about the Beatles’ recording at Abbey Road Studios.

On June 9, he played a shorter, surprise concert in a Liverpool pub, which was taped for his episode of James Corden’s “Carpool Karaoke.” These dates were in advance of his “Freshen Up” tour, his first outing following the release of his studio album, Egypt Station, which arrived Sept. 7 on Capitol Records.

Watch McCartney, Corden and some excited fans in Liverpool in June 2018

Paul McCartney, July 23, 2018, Abbey Road Studios, Setlist

A Hard Day’s Night
Junior’s Farm
One After 909
Drive My Car
Come On to Me
I’ve Got a Feeling
I’ve Just Seen a Face
Confidante
Love Me Do
We Can Work it Out
My Valentine
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
Lady Madonna
Who Cares
Got to Get You Into My Life
Fuh You
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Encore
I Wanna Be Your Man
Get Back
Back in the U.S.S.R.

Encore 2
Birthday
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Helter Skelter

McCartney has announced dates for the 2024 edition of his “Got Back” tour. Tickets are available here and here. His phenomenal catalog is available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.

Related: Links for 100s of classic rock tours

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