Saturday, December 11, 1965
London • 6:40pm show
Concert • By The Beatles • Part of the The Beatles' 1965 UK Tour
Last updated on November 21, 2025
Saturday, December 11, 1965
Concert • By The Beatles • Part of the The Beatles' 1965 UK Tour
Last updated on November 21, 2025
Location: Astoria Theatre • London • UK
Concert Dec 10, 1965 • UK • London • 9pm show
Concert Dec 10, 1965 • UK • London • 6:45pm show
Concert Dec 11, 1965 • UK • London • 6:40pm show
Concert Dec 11, 1965 • UK • London • 9pm show
The Beatles played four concerts in London over two days as part of their final UK tour. The previous day, they performed two shows at the Hammersmith Odeon, and on this day they played two further shows at the Astoria Theatre, at 6:40 pm and 9 pm. Also appearing on the bill were the Moody Blues, the Paramounts, Beryl Marsden, Steve Aldo, the Koobas, and the Marionettes.
On earlier tours, The Beatles had often felt that London audiences were less demonstrative than those elsewhere in the UK, perhaps because they were seen as more sophisticated. However, the atmosphere at the Hammersmith Odeon the previous day, and at the Astoria Theatre on this day, made them reconsider. Although the tour had generally seen fewer wild scenes — likely due to a stronger police presence — the London crowds responded with genuine Beatlemania.
This is one of the most incredible shows we’ve done. Not just because of the audience, but because they’re Londoners! This is the funny thing. It’s always been the other way round – fantastic in the north, but just that little bit cool in London. It’s incredible. It seems like the Beatlemania thing is happening all over again.
George Harrison – From New Musical Express – December 17, 1965
CAUGHT IN THE ACT – You still can’t hear the Beatles
The Beatles show at Finsbury Park Astoria on Saturday evening proved again that if you want to actually see them, you must get into the circle. The stalls became a struggling mass of fans, police and ushers and everybody stood on the backs of their seats.
Young girls were led away crying and a grannie was escorted out bewildered. The noise was, as usual, ear shattering and nothing of the boys’ performance could be heard except a vague suggestion of melody changes.
We were left with an impression of happy Beatles faces and an assortment of sticky sweets thrown with insufficient force.
Of the supporting bill, the Moody Blues were excellent musically and visually and the Marionettes, an exciting coloured group, deserved their warm reception. The Paramounts did a fine backing job all round. — J.H.
From Melody Maker – December 18, 1965
BATTLE FOR A BEATLE KISS
Up went the curtains — and up rose 5,000 teenage girls from their seats in the Finsbury Park Astoria, London. The Beatles were making a one-night stand there.
More than 1,000 girls in the stalls moved forward several rows, but were barred from the stage by a shoulder-to-shoulder cordon of uniformed policemen and policewomen. Two girls got through and over the orchestra pit. One got her arms round Ringo’s neck and stole a kiss before being dragged off. The frustrated remainder swooned in the aisles or stood on the backs of the seats raining jelly babies, dolls and even a top hat on to the stage.
Twenty girls were carried out for medical treatment, and the police had difficulty in removing about 100 others who felt unable to leave their seats during the two performances. Forty more girls were winkled out from various parts of the building — including some under a pile of policemen’s topcoats.
Said Beatle veterans: “Beatle-mania is worse now than two years ago.”
From Western Daily Press – December 13, 1965
FINSBURY PARK ASTORIA – SATURDAY 11th DECEMBER 1965
December 11th 1965 — the day I had been waiting for. I’d applied for tickets at Finsbury Park on 31st October when the box office opened & had my money returned, but I had a brainwave & contacted some agency & managed to get 6 tickets — near the back, but at least I’d see the Beatles in person for the first time since their Christmas show in December. […]
I was a bit dubious as the tickets were for the 6.40 performance, and I’d never been to a first Beatles show before and just hoped & prayed there were not too many people there who were too young & screamed all the time. […]
Eventually the curtain rose to a terrific roar as John, Paul, George and Ringo appeared! They wore grey jackets, with black polo necked sweaters underneath and immediately belted into ‘I Feel Fine’ – you could hardly hear them. Everyone stood up in their seats, in the gangways, did anything but sit down! I’ve never seen anything like it in my life! […]
Every minute was worth it, to actually see the Beatles again after so long! I hope they don’t wait another year to tour again, it’s much too long. They are still the greatest group on earth…
From DawsonAutions.co.uk – Lot 58 – The Beatles: three original ticket stubs for
This was the 19th concert played at Astoria Theatre.
A total of 20 concerts have been played there • 1963 • Dec 24 • Dec 26 • Dec 27 • Dec 28 • Dec 30 • Dec 31 • 1964 • Jan 1 • Jan 2 • Jan 3 • Jan 4 • Jan 5 • Jan 6 • Jan 7 • Jan 8 • Jan 9 • Jan 10 • Jan 11 • Nov 1 • 1965 • Dec 11 6:40pm show• Dec 11 9pm show
Written by George Harrison
Written by Johnny Russell, Voni Morrison
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