Mccartney returns to Cavern Club

Beatlemania has returned to Liverpool as Sir Paul Mccartney performed in the Cavern Club.

The 76-year-old played a free gig in the venue on Mathew Street in the city yesterday afternoon.

About 270 fans packed into a sweltering room to see the singer after they were given the opportunity to get free tickets by queuing at the Echo Arena box office yesterday morning when the gig was announced.

The star played the guitar and keyboard during his performance, which lasted almost two hours.

Sir Paul treated the crowd to Beatles classics including Love Me Do, Ob-la-di Ob-lada, I Saw Her Standing There and Get Back, as well as songs from his new album, Egypt Station.

Some fans were in tears during the performance, which was the first time since 1999 Sir Paul has returned to the club credited with being the birthplace of the Beatles.

Opening the show, he said: “Liverpool. Cavern. Those are words that go together well.”

He paused mid-song to ask fans, who had been told to turn phones off as they entered the gig, to stop taking photos.

He said: “It’s, like, putting me off and I don’t want to get put off.”

After playing Magical Mystery Tour, he said: “All those years ago we came here and played and we didn’t know if we had any future. We did OK.”