Paul McCartney reflected on The Beatles’ first trip to the United States while performing an intimate concert in Los Angeles.
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The iconic performer’s two-night engagement at the Fonda Theatre attracted a star-studded audience.
Paul McCartney brought an electric atmosphere to Los Angeles with a two-night, intimate performance at the Fonda Theatre.
“Welcome to Hollywood! We’re gonna have some fun!” McCartney announced as he took the stage on March 27, performing 23 hits spanning his decades-long career. The small-scale shows evoked memories of The Beatles’ early days playing tiny clubs in Liverpool, England.
“It’s great to be at these little gigs — I mean, it’s not that little,” the 83-year-old told the audience, which included many fans born long after The Beatles and his later band Wings were at their peak. He also reminisced about the venue’s history, noting its previous life as the Hollywood Music Box Theatre before it was renamed in honor of actor Henry Fonda.
The intimate setting offered a rare chance for McCartney to connect closely with fans, a stark contrast to the stadiums and arenas he typically headlines. “It’s very lovely. It’s good to see the whites of your eyes,” he said.
Although the shows coincided with the upcoming release of his 19th solo studio album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane (out March 29), McCartney admitted that he and his band were still learning the new material, so the set focused on classics instead of the album’s fresh tracks, including the new single “Days We Left Behind.”
Fans were treated to an expansive catalogue, including Beatles staples like “Help!,” “Got to Get You into My Life,” “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” “Love Me Do,” “Lady Madonna,” “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude,” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” “Get Back,” “Golden Slumber,” “Carry That Weight,” “The End,” and a poignant rendition of John Lennon’s posthumous ballad “Now and Then.” Signature solo and Wings-era hits such as “Blackbird,” “Let ‘Em In,” “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five,” “Jet,” “Coming Up,” “Every Night,” “Flaming Pie,” and “My Valentine” (dedicated to his wife, Nancy Shevell) were also included.
McCartney kept the focus on music, alternating between grand piano and his iconic Höfner “Beatle Bass,” while keeping stage chatter minimal. Still, he shared a few anecdotes, including memories of The Beatles’ first trip to America.
“We hadn’t really seen much, and we certainly hadn’t seen America, so it was pretty amazing,” he recalled. He also noted how male audience members would watch the chords they played closely, while the female fans screamed, prompting McCartney to playfully encourage, “Give us a Beatles scream!” The crowd’s response was loud and enthusiastic.
He also acknowledged the celebrity and VIP guests in the theater’s balcony, rounding out a night that combined nostalgia, energy, and intimate fan connection.