Nearby, two brothers and their friend, who brought guitars with them from New Jersey, lead a rendition of “I Saw Her Standing There.” Several people are pacing up and down the crowd muttering a headcount to themselves to figure out their number in line. Others are offering money to cut ahead and are harshly rebuffed.

Seeing a rising artist in a small venue is magical—but watching a global icon like Paul McCartney perform an intimate concert? Once in a lifetime. That’s exactly what happened last night in New York City when the legendary Beatle shocked fans with a surprise show at The Bowery Ballroom.

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Paul McCartney surprised fans with a pop-up New York City performance on Tuesday. The iconic musician and former member of The Beatles announced "Paul McCartney Rocks the Bowery" hours before he was to take the Bowery Ballroom stage. Fans snatched up all available tickets in under an hour, CBS News reports.