Photos by Curt Baran

Anytime Paul McCartney comes to town, it’s a monumental event eliciting an instantaneous sell out, amplified all the more by the fact the “Got Back” Tour came to the United Center in between The Beatles “Anthology” documentary series being restored, remastered and expanded in honor of its 30th anniversary, alongside a brand new self-titled Wings compilation, “The Story Of A Band On The Run” book and the forthcoming “Man On The Run” movie.

However, those who were fortunate enough to score a seat to the closing night of not only a double header in Chicago, but the entire 2025 tour, were treated to well over 60 years’ worth of material by both world-altering acts and a significant solo career totaling nearly three hours.

Sir Paul, four longstanding backers and an occasional horn section were just as generous as they were joyous when delivering the legendary likes of “Help!,” “Coming Up,” “Got To Get You Into My Life” and “Drive My Car,” each earning thunderous ovations from multiple generations.

Whether behind the bass, guitar, mandolin or keys, McCartney moved forward with the latter day gems “Come On To Me” and “My Valentine,” which was dedicated to nearby wife Nancy, in between a multitude out of the Wings vault (“Letting Go,” “Let Me Roll It,” “Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five”), Beatles surprises (“Getting Better,” “I’ve Just Seen A Face,” “Love Me Do”) and even earlier group The Quarrymen (“In Spite Of All The Danger”).

“Maybe I’m Amazed” surely described how fans felt witnessing the double Rock and Roll Hall of Famer in-person, especially considering he’s now 83-years-old, yet retains his boy-ish charm and came across quite respectably in every aspect of the demanding performance.

In fact, the highlights were too numerous to mention, from the acoustic, civil rights-adapted “Blackbird,” accompanied by a story of refusing to have an audience stay segregated in the 1960s, to The Beatles’ rebooted, locally debuted “Now And Then” and the George Harrison hat tip “Something,” plus the anthems “Jet,” “Band On The Run” and “Get Back.”

While the entire visual component was fairly elaborate, outside of a few intentionally understated moments, “Live And Let Die” took the fireworks and flames to the next level, followed by a communal karaoke session of “Hey Jude” that flipped on the flood lights.

Any of those could’ve been finales for an artist of a lesser caliber, but believe it or not, the pinnacles persisted during an extensive encore focused strictly on the Fab Four, including “I’ve Got A Feeling” as a video duet with the late John Lennon through “The End,” though McCartney thankfully never showed signs of needing or wanting to come to the same conclusion.

For additional information on Paul McCartney, visit PaulMcCartney.com.

For a list of upcoming AEG Presents concerts, visit AEGPresents.com.

Upcoming shows at the United Center include Burna Boy (Dec. 1);107.5 WGCI Big Jam (Dec. 6); Rod Wave (Dec. 15-16); New Edition (Feb. 4); Disney On Ice (Feb. 12-15); Andrea Bocelli (Feb. 25); Cardi B (Mar. 21); Twice (Apr. 6-7); Lewis Capaldi (Apr. 25); Demi Lovato (May 1); Katt Williams (May 2); Rush (Jul. 16, 18, 20 and 22) and Ariana Grande (Aug. 3, 5 and 6). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

Related Articles

Stevie Wonder has Fiserv Forum “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” Stevie Nicks slays United Center with Fleetwood Mac and solo classics, lauds late Christine McVie The Who: “The Song Is Over” Tour at United Center Shows came roaring back in 2022 and Chicago Concert Reviews covered every step of way “Here We Go Again” believing in Cher at UC, alongside Nile Rodgers & Chic’s disco delights Cher: “Here We Go Again” Tour at United Center Together and apart, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Train turn in United Center sing-a-long Guitar hero Jeff Beck, Hollywood Vampire Johnny Depp get Chicago Theatre feeling “18” again