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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s carried since the early \u201960s. His trusty H\u00f6fner 500\/1 Violin Bass hung from his shoulder like an old friend. “Hello Chicago, it\u2019s great to be back here.” the former Beatle proclaimed. \u201cWe\u2019ve got some old songs, some new songs, some middling songs. I think we are going to have a good time here tonight.\u201d As the band took position, McCartney stepped to the mic and in one powerful stride launched into a blazing rendition of \u201cHelp!\u201d a jolt that electrified the entire arena and set the tone for the marathon to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. \u201cMaybe I\u2019m Amazed\u201d had the crowd swaying in a collective emotional trance; \u201cLady Madonna\u201d brought a burst of joyous piano-driven energy; \u201cGet Back\u201d shook the room with the same rebellious fire it carried in 1969. Even the deep cuts got their moment. McCartney broke into \u201cComing Up (Peter Gunn),\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tributes to his fallen bandmates were tender and heartfelt. \u201cHere Today,\u201d his letter to John Lennon, blanketed the arena in stillness. Moments later, he honored George Harrison with a soulful \u201cSomething,\u201d gently fingerpicking a ukulele as images of the quiet Beatle glowed across the video wall. McCartney said, \u201cThis ukulele is a very special one for me. It was given to me by George. Let\u2019s hear it for George\u201d. He even delivered the warmth toward the present, dedicating \u201cMy Valentine\u201d to his wife Nancy an understated but deeply touching expression amid the spectacle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then came the relic: \u201cIn Spite of All Danger.\u201d Long before the Beatles, there was The Quarrymen, and McCartney\u2019s performance of the rare early track felt like opening a time capsule. McCartney said: \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, the show would not have been complete without the big, explosive centerpiece. \u201cLive and Let Die\u201d 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 \u201cHey Jude,\u201d a sing-along so deafening it nearly drowned out the band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a short break, McCartney returned for a six-song encore, closing the night and the tour with \u201cThe End.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow does he do it?\u201d someone asked as the lights went up. The truth is, no one really knows. Maybe it\u2019s magic. Maybe it\u2019s joy. Maybe it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Paul-McCartney-United-Center-Got-Back-Chicago-2025-3.jpg\")
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