McCartney Times

It was Sunday, December 1, 1963 and hundreds of adrenaline-fuelled fans encircled Leicester’s De Montfort Hall. They were desperate to intercept the mop-haired four on their arrival. When word got round The Beatles had arrived, furious rain-soaked fans let out one tremendous shout and raced round to the front gates. These photos from the Leicester Mercury archive, some previously unpublished, tell the story of what happened next.
The Beatles had arrived on their Autumn 1963 UK Tour. They were at De Montfort Hall in Leicester on a Sunday night. Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr were pictured backstage.

Publicity shots were being taken and autographs signed.
The atmosphere was building but, when The Beatles finally managed to start their gig, the Fab Four were on stage for little more than 30 minutes.
Fans still heard them perform 10 songs during the show at De Montfort Hall.
Hysterical teenage girls fainted in their seats and others wrestled with police and stewards in the most riotous scenes ever seen at the venue.
This young woman, overcome with emotion, was carried out of venue by members of St John Ambulance Brigade.
The Autumn UK Tour had reached Leicester and the screams were deafening.
Ear-shattering screaming meant hardly a word or note of the performance could actually be heard.
Others were overcome by the experience.
Several audience members hurled themselves at the cordon of police and stewards guarding the front of the stage.
This was despite front seats having been set further back than usual to create a ‘no-man’s land’ – and lights being kept on in the long side passages as a precaution.
Hundreds of teenagers jiggled in their seats – many with tears of emotion running down their flushed cheeks.
Posters were brandished and waved in the air.
Both levels of the venue were full to bursting.
Gifts, letters and presents were thrown on stage. In the background here a VOX AC30 amplifier – known as the sound that powered the 1960s – sits on the stage.
The Beatles backstage for their photocall.
Fans heading home after the show.

Source: Unpublished photos of The Beatles tell the story of their 1963 concert at De Montfort Hall – Leicestershire Live