On September 26, 2025, Paul McCartney stunned fans by quietly beginning the U.S. run of his Got Back tour with an intimate concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl in California.
The night opened with a jaw-dropping surprise: McCartney launched straight into “Help!” — a Beatles classic he hadn’t played live in its entirety since 1990. The choice instantly set the mood, turning the show into more than just a tour stop — it became a historic return to a song long absent from his setlists.
Throughout the evening, McCartney wove together a rich tapestry of music, blending beloved Beatles hits, Wings favorites, and solo gems. A highlight was the inclusion of “Now and Then,” the long-awaited Beatles track pieced together from archival recordings of John Lennon and George Harrison, giving the crowd a bittersweet taste of the past brought into the present.
Joining him on stage were his trusted bandmates: Paul “Wix” Wickens on keyboards, Brian Ray handling bass and guitar, Rusty Anderson on guitar, and Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums. Together, they created the powerful, polished sound that has become the backbone of McCartney’s live shows.
The Santa Barbara performance also acted as a preview of what’s ahead. The official North American launch takes place September 29 in Palm Desert, followed by major stops in Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Montreal, and many more cities.
Santa Barbara Bowl, Sept. 26, 2025 – Setlist Highlights:
Help! (first full performance since 1990)
- Coming Up
- Got to Get You Into My Life
- Now and Then
- Lady Madonna
- Hey Jude
Encore:
- I’ve Got a Feeling (featuring a virtual Lennon duet)
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
- Helter Skelter
- Golden Slumbers
- Carry That Weight
- The End
Adding to the uniqueness of the night, the concert was a phone-free event — all attendees stored their devices in Yondr pouches, creating an atmosphere fully immersed in the music rather than screens.
https://x.com/Diario_Beatles/status/1971717479560045051
Closing with his decision to revive Help! after 35 years, McCartney delivered not just a performance but a deeply emotional reminder of why his tours continue to feel like personal journeys through the soundtrack of modern music history.
