On September 26, 2025, Paul McCartney surprised fans by launching the U.S. leg of his Got Back tour with an intimate show at the Santa Barbara Bowl in California.
The concert opened with a momentous surprise: McCartney performed “Help!” — a Beatles favorite he hadn’t played in full since 1990 — reigniting a decades-long silence around the track. Amid a mix of Beatles, Wings, and solo songs, he also brought out “Now and Then,” a Beatles track created from archival recordings of John Lennon and George Harrison.
Backing him were longtime collaborators: Paul “Wix” Wickens on keyboards, Brian Ray on bass/guitar, Rusty Anderson on guitar, and Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums.
The Santa Barbara performance also set the tone for the rest of the tour. McCartney is scheduled to officially kick off the North American leg in Palm Desert on September 29, followed by stops in Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Montreal and beyond.
Below is the set list from the Santa Barbara show:
Paul McCartney, Sept. 26, 2025 – Santa Barbara Bowl (selected highlights):
- “Help!” (first time since 1990)
- “Coming Up”
- “Got to Get You Into My Life”
… - “Now and Then”
- “Lady Madonna”
… - “Hey Jude”
Encore:
- “I’ve Got a Feeling” (with virtual Lennon duet)
-
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)”
-
“Helter Skelter”
-
“Golden Slumbers”
-
“Carry That Weight”
-
“The End”
This show was particularly unique: it was a phone-free event, with attendees required to stow their devices in Yondr pouches — reinforcing an atmosphere focused solely on the music.
McCartney’s decision to reopen with “Help!” after so many years gave the performance an emotional weight few shows can claim — reminding fans why every McCartney tour remains a deeply personal musical journey.
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