Paul McCartney Delivers a Historic Night in London
At 82 years old, Paul McCartney has long secured his place in history. Yet, the word retirement doesn’t seem to exist in his vocabulary. Perhaps against better judgment? In recent years, critics have often remarked that his voice is no longer up to par. With his “Got Back” tour, which marked his return to the stage after the pandemic, he played his final show of the tour at the O2 Arena in London. It turned out to be a special
During the opener, “A Hard Day’s Night,” he seemed to need a moment to warm up, but his drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.’s backing vocals helped mask this. Afterward, only one song really challenged his voice: the vocally demanding “Maybe I’m Amazed.” On the flip side, Wings rocker “Jet” came across remarkably well in 2024.Another common criticism of McCartney’s concerts is the repetition in his setlists, which have remained largely the same for 22 years.
Of course, he’s been playing “Something” as a tribute to George Harrison on a ukulele for over two decades, as well as the poignant “Here Today” in honor of John Lennon. Beatles classics like “Blackbird,” “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude,” and the fireworks display during “Live and Let Die” are also staples. But let’s be honest: these songs would be sorely missed if they were absent, just as it would feel wrong if The Rolling Stones skipped “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” That said, this night featured a surprise guest appearance by Ronnie Wood, adding another Stone to McCartney’s stage.
There were, however, notable changes and surprises during this tour, particularly on this night. For one, the addition of three live horn players elevated songs like “Got to Get You Into My Life” and “Letting Go,” which sounded far better than when played through a keyboard.Perhaps the most remarkable addition to the setlist was the recent Beatles song “Now and Then,” released just last year. It seamlessly followed Lennon’s tribute “Here Today,” with McCartney’s older voice fitting perfectly. This created an emotional highlight of the show, as did the virtual duet during “I’ve Got a Feeling,” where the present-day McCartney sang alongside John Lennon’s 1969 vocals. It was presented so authentically that it felt as if Lennon himself had returned to sing live.
As it was the final night of the tour, McCartney had a few surprises in store. A historic moment occurred during “Get Back” when, in addition to Ronnie Wood’s guest appearance, McCartney played his long-lost Höfner bass, which was recovered earlier this year after 60 years. For Beatles fans, this was an extraordinary moment—McCartney playing the bass that started it all over six decades ago. And if that wasn’t enough, Ringo Starr joined him on stage for a semi-Beatles reunion, drumming on the reprise of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Helter Skelter.”
The oft-repeated saying that every McCartney performance could be his last was once again proven wrong. Yes, he’s 82, and age is a factor. But his enthusiasm was undiminished as he ended the night with, “See you next time!” Why should he stop? Who in 1963 could have imagined that in 2024, McCartney (even with Ringo Starr) would still perform for over two and a half hours? No, his voice isn’t the same as in the ’60s, but it has improved compared to 2016. However, that shouldn’t deter anyone from attending his concerts. It’s a rare privilege to witness him live in 2024, a living legend performing music history in real time. It’s akin to experiencing a classical composer’s concert live—a rarity indeed.
