Paul McCartney lifted spirits in quake-hit Mexico at a concert here punctuated with the cry "Fuerza Mexico!"

More than 48,000 fans gathered in the city's Azteca Stadium Saturday to hear the former Beatle in his first Mexico City concert in five years.

Before launching into "Maybe I'm amazed," McCartney raised his fist, evoking the hand signs used to call for silence during the search for survivors in the ruins left by the September 19 earthquake.

"Fuerza Mexico!" he shouted to the roar of the crowd, delighted by his use of the Spanish phrase meaning "Be strong, Mexico!"

The 7.1 magnitude quake toppled buildings in the city, killing more than 400 people and leaving thousands homeless.

Shortly after the quake, McCartney sent a message on Twitter to Mexicans expressing his affection and support "in these difficult times."

During his previous Mexico City concert, McCartney filled the giant plaza in the heart of the city known as the Zocalo with 200,000 fans.

On his current "One on One" tour, which began in the United States in 2016, the British legend has performed 41 shows before 1.2 million people.