Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn and Harris Dickinson have been spotted on stage recreating the Beatles' iconic 1965 concert at Shea Stadium in New York City. The actors, who star in Sam Mendes' upcoming four-film Beatles project, filmed the scenes at Montjuic baseball stadium in Barcelona, Spain, as the original venue was demolished in 2009.
Details of the Recreation
The actors wore the same collarless beige jackets that John, Paul, George and Ringo famously donned for the historic gig. Mescal, playing Paul McCartney, wielded a 1961 Hofner bass, while Dickinson as John Lennon played a black Rickenbacker 325. Keoghan portrayed Ringo Starr on drums, and Quinn played George Harrison. The cast appeared appropriately sweaty, matching the real band's experience under stage lights.
The Shea Stadium concert on August 15, 1965, was the Beatles' first stadium gig, drawing 55,600 fans. The screaming was so intense that the band could not hear themselves play. Ed Sullivan introduced them, saying: "Now, ladies and gentlemen, honoured by their country, decorated by their Queen, loved here in America, here are The Beatles!"
Behind the Scenes Insights
In the Beatles Anthology, Ringo Starr recalled: "What I remember most about the concert was that we were so far away from the audience. ... And screaming had become the thing to do. ... Everybody screamed. If you look at the footage, you can see how we reacted to the place. It was very big and very strange." The band returned to Shea in 1966 but soon after decided to stop touring, never performing live again before their 1970 split.
Mescal has been studying music for the role, telling GQ Magazine: "I've learned so much. It's really inspired a love. I've always loved music, but getting to play one of the great songwriters and great frontmen has really lit a fire in terms of personally writing music." He also revealed he has met McCartney twice, describing him as "the most brilliant man" and saying he feels "emotionally attached to him."
McCartney's Reflections
In May, McCartney released a video of Mescal interviewing him about his album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane. McCartney reflected on his relationship with John Lennon: "Looking back on your life, I ran into this guy called John Lennon, he was kinda fighting life. ... He was putting up a shield and he was very witty, and when it came to songwriting that relationship stayed there." He added that he sometimes imagines still writing with Lennon, saying: "His spirit is still in me, and I'm very glad of that. And George too."
The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event is scheduled for release in April 2028.
