Paul McCartney Closes “Got Back” Tour With a Triumphant, Emotional Night in Chicago

Nov 26, 2025 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Harrison Kristoff

On November 25th, 2025, Paul McCartney walked onto the stage at the United Center and before even playing a note Chicago roared in a way only this city can. It had been decades of visits, from intimate club dates to massive festival headlining slots at Lollapalooza, but this night was different. This was the final date of the long-running Got Back Tour, a trek that began in 2022 and marked McCartney’s first full road run since the pre-COVID era of 2019. For fans, it was a reunion; for McCartney, it felt like a homecoming.

The stage sprawled across the entire front end of the arena, a sleek runway built for a performer who likes to roam. A towering video wall nearly cinematic in scale flashed iconic Beatles photographs, animation, and rare archival clips that swept the crowd through musical history before the first chord was ever struck.

Then McCartney appeared. Dressed in a classic black, slim-cut suit that seemed to defy time, he waved his way across the stage with the same eager warmth he’s carried since the early ’60s. His trusty Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass hung from his shoulder like an old friend. “Hello Chicago, it’s great to be back here.” the former Beatle proclaimed. “We’ve got some old songs, some new songs, some middling songs. I think we are going to have a good time here tonight.” As the band took position, McCartney stepped to the mic and in one powerful stride launched into a blazing rendition of “Help!” a jolt that electrified the entire arena and set the tone for the marathon to come.

His band, a group of trusty and longtime friends consists of Rusty Anderson on guitar, Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums, Brian Ray on bass & guitar (when McCartney’s not playing those) and multi-instrumentalist Wix Wickens.

From there, it was a full sweep of his legendary songbook, drifting through eras, bands, and decades with effortless charm. The Beatles, Wings, his solo catalog every chapter was represented. “Maybe I’m Amazed” had the crowd swaying in a collective emotional trance; “Lady Madonna” brought a burst of joyous piano-driven energy; “Get Back” shook the room with the same rebellious fire it carried in 1969. Even the deep cuts got their moment. McCartney broke into “Coming Up (Peter Gunn),” a playful and unexpected highlight that delighted longtime fans who knew exactly how rare it was. “Blackbird came and McCartney took center stage solo for it. Rising up from the riser surrounded by a video screen with blue colors and blackbirds flying around.

Tributes to his fallen bandmates were tender and heartfelt. “Here Today,” his letter to John Lennon, blanketed the arena in stillness. Moments later, he honored George Harrison with a soulful “Something,” gently fingerpicking a ukulele as images of the quiet Beatle glowed across the video wall. McCartney said, “This ukulele is a very special one for me. It was given to me by George. Let’s hear it for George”. He even delivered the warmth toward the present, dedicating “My Valentine” to his wife Nancy an understated but deeply touching expression amid the spectacle.

Then came the relic: “In Spite of All Danger.” Long before the Beatles, there was The Quarrymen, and McCartney’s performance of the rare early track felt like opening a time capsule. McCartney said: “I want to take you back to a long time ago across the Atlantic Ocean to a little place called Liverpool”, The crowd soaked in every second. Can you imagine seeing Paul, George and John together doing this song almost years ago! Seriously, they played this song back in 1957.

Of course, the show would not have been complete without the big, explosive centerpiece. “Live and Let Die” erupted with full pyrotechnic fury flames, fireworks, and shockwaves of heat pulsing across the arena as McCartney grinned like a kid lighting his first firecracker. Moments later, thousands of voices joined as one for “Hey Jude,” a sing-along so deafening it nearly drowned out the band.

After a short break, McCartney returned for a six-song encore, closing the night and the tour with “The End.” It was a perfect finale, a fitting bow on a three-hour set by an 83-year-old who performs with the stamina, charm, and spark of someone a quarter his age. Sure, he’s not quite hitting those notes like the past, but come on, he’s older than my grandparents! Thanks to his backing band, melodies fill in just fine.

“How does he do it?” someone asked as the lights went up. The truth is, no one really knows. Maybe it’s magic. Maybe it’s joy. Maybe it’s the simple power of loving what you do. Whatever it is, Paul McCartney has it and his fans in Chicago left believing he just might have the staying power to last forever. What a great way to wrap up a legendary performance. A place McCartney admires so much he’s even drivin across America starting from here and driving down Route 66 in a convertible with his love.

For more on Paul McCartney, click here

Setlist: Paul McCartney, United Center, Chicago November 25th, 2025 (tour finale)