Paul McCartney Champions Pride with Flag and Premieres Help at Santa Barbara Bowl for Got Back Tour Launch
**Paul McCartney’s Surprise Performance at Santa Barbara Bowl Sets Stage for 2025 “Got Back” Tour**
Exclusive Concert Experience in Santa Barbara
On a memorable Friday night, Sir Paul McCartney delivered an unforgettable performance for 4,000 fortunate lottery ticket holders at the Santa Barbara Bowl. This surprise, one-time concert served as a dress rehearsal for the legendary musician’s upcoming 2025 “Got Back” tour, which officially kicks off at Palm Springs’ Acrisure Arena. Attendees were treated to an intimate musical experience in the amphitheater, nestled in the scenic coastal surroundings of Santa Barbara.
Star-Studded Audience Witnesses Historic Show
The audience included notable figures such as Adam Levine and his family, basking in a concert setting that prohibited mobile phones, creating an immersive and electrifying atmosphere. McCartney, defying his 83 years with youthful energy and impressive vocal performance, opened the show with the Beatles classic “Help!,” a song he rarely performs in full.
Heartfelt Tributes and Musical Highlights
The night was rich with personal dedications; McCartney paid tribute to his wife Nancy Shevell with “My Valentine” and honored his former Beatles bandmates and producer George Martin. The setlist featured beloved tracks such as “Love Me Do” and “Blackbird,” as well as newer works like “Now and Then,” created with innovative A.I. technology.
Memorable Moments and Extraordinary Setlist
McCartney, supported by his longtime band and enhanced with laser lighting and projections, delivered a performance that felt both nostalgic and contemporary. The audience reveled in McCartney’s storytelling and his renditions of iconic songs, concluding with a powerful encore featuring “Helter Skelter” and the impactful “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End” medley.
Upcoming “Got Back” Tour Dates
The “Got Back” tour promises to deliver McCartney’s enduring musical legacy to fans across North America. See the full list of tour dates for an opportunity to experience this extraordinary concert journey:
- September 29 – Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena
- October 4 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium
- October 7 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
- October 11 – Denver, CO – Coors Field
- October 14 – Des Moines, IA – Casey’s Center
- October 17 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium
- October 22 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
- October 29 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
- November 2 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
- November 3 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
- November 6 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
- November 8 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
- November 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
- November 14 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
- November 17 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
- November 18 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
- November 21 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
- November 24 – Chicago, IL – United Center
- November 25 – Chicago, IL – United Center
As McCartney closes the show with “The End,” the message resonates with everyone. In his long and illustrious career, he continues to shape the music world, proving once more that “the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
