Last Saturday night, I had the privilege of seeing, notably, one of the greatest musicians and songwriters of the 20th century.
As an additional location of his 2025 “Got Back” tour, Sir Paul McCartney performed a show at the Alamodome stadium in San Antonio Oct. 25. The designation of this tour, a play on words of his 1969 song “Get Back,” served as a clever exemplification of his return to the stage as a performing artist.
Born in 1942, McCartney has lived a life full of outstanding accomplishments during one of the most significant decades for music. His career began in his hometown of Liverpool, England, after joining a skiffle group called the Quarrymen, conjoined by noteworthy members: George Harrison and John Lennon. In 1960, the three singers, with the new inclusion of drummer Ringo Starr, formed infamous group The Beatles, whose influence is revolutionary. They didn’t just play music; they changed how it was made, and were the front runners to the mass cultural phenomenon of the British Invasion.
At the impressive age of 83, McCartney continues to prove his ability at leaving a lasting impact on his audience through another iconic performance. At various moments throughout the concert, you journey through the stages of his life reflected in his songs — from his early days at the Cavern Club to his 1970s era with the band Wings. The concert kicks off with the energetic song “Help!,” penned by Lennon as a heartfelt plea amid the chaos and pressure of the Beatles’ massive rise to stardom.
The setlist featured several standout songs, including one of the Beatles’ earliest recordings, “Love Me Do.” From his solo career, McCartney performed a powerful rendition of “Maybe I’m Amazed.” He also included the 2023 release “Now and Then,” a song originally recorded years earlier, with newly added vocals from McCartney. Among the highlights were heartfelt acoustic performances of George Harrison’s “Something” and McCartney’s own “Blackbird,” a song he later explained carried deep meaning during the civil rights movement. Throughout the concert, McCartney paid tribute to his former band mates and shared the stories and inspirations behind his songs.
The inclusion of photographs of his previous bands added to the appeal of his clearly emotional audience. There were few dry eyes as nostalgia was weaved throughout McCartney’s show as his contained youth was still present in his performance. I was sentimental in his duet with a digital John Lennon in “I’ve Got a Feeling,” and his ballad of “Hey Jude,” in which thousands of people sang along together in the heavy weight of the memories that followed: a young Paul sitting at a piano in 1968 performing it live on television for the first time.
Alongside the heartwarming moments came the thrilling energy of “Live and Let Die,” McCartney’s vibrant contribution to the 1973 James Bond film of the same name. The excitement of the song was captured by fiery explosions, humorously occurring in time with the orchestrational beat drops throughout. The song “Helter Skelter” was also featured — full of chaos and distorted guitars as a track that had pioneered the heavy rock genre.
The concert came to a bittersweet end with the three transitional songs at the end of the Beatles’ popular album “Abbey Road:” “Golden Slumbers” to “Carry That Weight” to “The End.” The flashlights of phones swayed as McCartney stated his eventual goodbye to the large crowds of thunderous applauses and cheers.
Ultimately, it was a concert in remembrance of his astonishing career. It’s still difficult to grasp the sheer impact one man has had on the music industry. Even without the many bands he’s been part of over the years, McCartney would still stand as one of the legendary artists of the last century, and his pure talent was only further manifested by this concert. It’s truly inspiring to see that his age hasn’t hindered him, allowing him to continue performing for new generations. I know I’ll look back on this night with gratitude for having witnessed such an incredible musician in person.
