Imagine a legendary musician, a living icon, revisiting a timeless classic after 35 long years. That’s exactly what happened when Sir Paul McCartney kicked off his highly anticipated 2025 North American tour with a jaw-dropping surprise for fans. But here’s where it gets even more thrilling: for the first time in over three decades, McCartney opened his shows with “Help!”—a Beatles anthem that hasn’t graced his live setlist since the early ’90s. And this is the part most people miss: he reportedly played it using his recently reunited Höfner bass, the very instrument he hadn’t held in 50 years after it was stolen and miraculously returned. Talk about a full-circle moment!
McCartney’s tour began with a pair of intimate California shows, starting at the Santa Barbara Bowl, where a no-phone policy kept the night’s magic under wraps. The real spectacle, however, unfolded at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, where he unleashed the full 35-song setlist. Thanks to fan-shot footage, we finally have a glimpse of “Help!” making its triumphant return—a moment that’s already sparking nostalgia and debate among fans. Was this the perfect song to reignite his tour? Or should he have saved it for a grander stage? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Controversy alert: While some fans are overjoyed by the throwback, others argue that McCartney’s newer material deserves more spotlight. But let’s be honest—hearing a Beatles classic like “Help!” live is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially when it’s performed by one of its original creators. And this setlist? It’s a masterclass in balancing nostalgia and artistry, blending Beatles hits, Wings favorites, and solo gems into a three-hour musical journey.
Here’s the full setlist from the September 29th show at Acrisure Arena, Thousand Palms, CA—a night that’s already etched into music history:
Paul McCartney Setlist – September 29th, Acrisure Arena – Thousand Palms, CA:
1. Help! (The Beatles song)
2. Coming Up
3. Play Video (The Beatles song)
4. Letting Go (Wings song)
5. Drive My Car (The Beatles song)
6. Come On to Me
7. Let Me Roll It (Wings song)
8. Getting Better (The Beatles song)
9. Let ‘Em In (Wings song)
10. My Valentine
11. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five (Wings song)
12. Maybe I’m Amazed
13. I’ve Just Seen a Face (The Beatles song)
14. In Spite of All the Danger (The Quarrymen song)
15. Love Me Do (The Beatles song)
16. Dance Tonight
17. Blackbird (The Beatles song)
18. Here Today
19. Now and Then (The Beatles song)
20. Lady Madonna (The Beatles song)
21. Jet (Wings song)
22. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (The Beatles song)
23. Something (The Beatles song)
24. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (The Beatles song)
25. Band on the Run (Wings song)
26. Get Back (The Beatles song)
27. Let It Be (The Beatles song)
28. Live and Let Die (Wings song)
29. Hey Jude (The Beatles song)
Encore:
30. I’ve Got a Feeling (The Beatles song)
31. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (The Beatles song)
32. Helter Skelter (The Beatles song)
33. Golden Slumbers (The Beatles song)
34. Carry That Weight (The Beatles song)
35. The End (The Beatles song)
Ready to witness history? McCartney’s 2025 tour is still going strong, with stops across the U.S. and Canada. Here’s where you can catch him:
Paul McCartney 2025 Tour Dates:
- 10/04 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
- 10/07 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
- 10/11 – Denver, CO @ Coors Field
- 10/14 – Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
- 10/17 – Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium
- 10/22 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
- 10/25 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome
- 10/29 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
- 11/03 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
- 11/11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
- 11/14 – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
- 11/17 & 11/18 – Montreal, QC @ Centre Bell
- 11/21 – Hamilton, ON @ Hamilton Arena
- 11/24 & 11/25 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
So, what do you think? Is McCartney’s revival of “Help!” a stroke of genius or a missed opportunity for newer material? Let us know in the comments below—we’re all ears!
