John Lennon's only concert after The Beatles: New film and unreleased songs coming soon

7 February 2025, 10:51

John Lennon played a rare live show in New York City.

John Lennon is one of the greatest songwriters and performers of all time.

He also was an experienced live performer, racking up 1,500 odd shows first with The Quarrymen and then The Beatles.

• The story of how Petula Clark ended up singing on John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance' by mistake
• 'Happy Xmas (War is Over)' by John Lennon and Yoko Ono: The making of the Christmas peace anthem
• Listen to the Gold Radio 70s Live Playlist on Global Player, the official Gold app

But The Beatles quit touring after a final show in Candlestick Park, San Francisco, only playing live once more on the roof of Apple HQ during the fractious Get Back sessions.

When John Lennon went solo after the breakup, it seemed as though he'd lost his taste for live performance.

Despite releasing six studio albums during the 1970s, Lennon didn't go on a proper tour.

Watch the official trailer for The Beatles: Get Back on Disney Plus

In fact, Lennon barely played live at all after The Beatles. His only full-length shows came on August 30, 1972.

On that date, Lennon and Yoko Ono performed two sets at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the One to One Concert.

They were backed up by the Plastic Ono Band with Elephant's Memory and Special Guests.

Some of the songs from the first set were available on the much-maligned Some Time in New York City album, but many of the performances from that momentous day have never seen an official release.

Now, for Record Store Day 2025, four songs – three of which are previously unreleased – will be available on a new EP, pressed on 180g yellow vinyl.

The new songs are John's 'Well Well Well' from the evening show plus 'Cold Turkey' and Yoko’s 'Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow)' from the earlier show. There'll also be a new mix of 'Instant Karma (We All Shine On)', also from the earlier show.

One To One - John & Yoko Teaser trailer

Just as exciting, Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald has directed a new film One to One: John & Yoko.

The film looks not just at the One to One live shows but the 18-month period John Lennon and Yoko Ono spent living in New Yok at the start of the 1970s.

The film recently made its bow at various film festivals and will screen on IMAX bon April 11, before getting a wider release. An HBO/Max TV launch will follow before the end of the year.