Monday 12 August 1963 | Live
| Venue | Odeon Cinema, Llandudno, north Wales |
| Shows | Two houses nightly: 6.30pm and 8.50pm |
| Ticket prices | 4/6d, 6/6d, and 8/6d |
| Residency | First of six consecutive nights (12–17 August 1963) |
| Compère | Billy Baxter |
The first of six consecutive nights at the Odeon Cinema in the north Wales seaside resort of Llandudno took place on 12 August 1963. The Beatles played two houses each night, at 6.30pm and 8.50pm. Among the audience during the week was a 13-year-old Mary Hopkin — who would later be mentored by Paul McCartney and signed to Apple Records.
The show
Also on the bill for the six-night residency were Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, the Lana Sisters, Sons of Piltdown Men, Tommy Wallis and Beryl, and Tommy Quickly. The compère was Billy Baxter.
Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas were one of the most successful acts on the NEMS roster managed by Brian Epstein. Kramer had scored a number one hit with ‘From Me To You’ (written by Lennon and McCartney) in May 1963, and would go on to have further hits with ‘Bad To Me’ and ‘I’ll Keep You Satisfied’, both also written by Lennon and McCartney.
Tommy Quickly was another NEMS artist, managed by Epstein. He released a version of ‘Tip Of My Tongue’, a Lennon–McCartney song, in July 1963.
The Beatles — officially licensed merch
The Beatles: Please Please Me Gold Foiled T-Shirt (Black).
Mary Hopkin in the audience
One of the most remarkable footnotes to the Llandudno residency is that Mary Hopkin, then just 13 years old, was in the audience during the week. Hopkin was from Pontardawe in south Wales and would go on to become one of the most successful artists on The Beatles’ Apple Records label.
In 1968, Hopkin appeared on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks, where she was spotted by model Twiggy, who recommended her to Paul McCartney. McCartney produced her debut single ‘Those Were The Days’, which was released in August 1968 and reached number one in the UK, kept off the top spot in the US only by The Beatles’ own ‘Hey Jude’. She also represented the United Kingdom in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Knock, Knock Who’s There?’, finishing second.
The Odeon Cinema, Llandudno
The Odeon Cinema in Llandudno later became known as the Astra. It closed in 1986 and was subsequently demolished and replaced with a housing complex called Ormeside Grange.
Llandudno, north Wales — where The Beatles performed six consecutive nights at the Odeon Cinema in August 1963. The venue later became the Astra and was demolished in 1986.
The Beatles in Wales: all dates
Apart from the six-night Llandudno residency, The Beatles’ other performances in Wales were:
- Rhyl: 14 July 1962 and 19–20 July 1963
- Prestatyn: 24 November 1962
- Mold: 24 January 1963
- Abergavenny: 22 June 1963
- Cardiff: 27 May 1963, 7 November 1964, and 12 December 1965
The Beatles — officially licensed merch
The Beatles: The Cavern T-Shirt (Black).
Key Facts
| Date | Monday 12 August 1963 (first of six nights) |
| Venue | Odeon Cinema, Llandudno (later the Astra; demolished 1986) |
| Show times | 6.30pm and 8.50pm |
| Ticket prices | 4/6d, 6/6d, 8/6d |
| Notable audience member | Mary Hopkin, aged 13 (later signed to Apple Records by McCartney) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nights did The Beatles play in Llandudno?
The Beatles played six consecutive nights at the Odeon Cinema in Llandudno, from 12 to 17 August 1963, performing two houses each night at 6.30pm and 8.50pm.
Was Mary Hopkin really in the audience at Llandudno?
Yes. Mary Hopkin, then 13 years old and from Pontardawe in south Wales, was in the audience during The Beatles' Llandudno residency in August 1963. She later became one of the most successful artists on Apple Records, with her debut single 'Those Were The Days' reaching number one in the UK in 1968.
What happened to the Odeon Cinema in Llandudno?
The Odeon Cinema later became known as the Astra. It closed in 1986 and was demolished and replaced with a housing complex called Ormeside Grange.
Who else was on the bill at Llandudno?
Also on the bill were Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, the Lana Sisters, Sons of Piltdown Men, Tommy Wallis and Beryl, and Tommy Quickly. The compère was Billy Baxter.
→ The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening) – 12 August 1962
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
→ August in Beatles History
→ On This Day in Beatles History
Shop Beatles merch: Please Please Me T-Shirt | The Cavern T-Shirt | Beatles collection
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