Paul McCartney Opens U.S. Tour with Complete Performance of ‘Help!’ After 58 Years

## Paul McCartney Launches His 2025 North American Tour

Paul McCartney kicked off his much-anticipated 2025 North American tour with a surprise warm-up show at the Santa Barbara Bowl in California. The highlight of the evening was his rendition of the Beatles classic “Help!” performed in its entirety for the first time since 1965, marking a significant moment for both McCartney and fans.

### An Intimate Venue Experience

The Santa Barbara Bowl can accommodate only 4,562 attendees, making it substantially smaller compared to the larger arenas he will perform in throughout the tour. Originally announced just two weeks prior, the concert sold out almost immediately. Guests had to secure their phones in Yondr pouches to maintain the integrity of the performance, making it a unique experience with limited online footage available. However, a creative fan managed to capture 30 seconds of the song during soundcheck, giving a glimpse of what McCartney had in store that night.

### A Nostalgic Return

Prior to this full performance, McCartney had only performed snippets of “Help!” during the latter part of his 1989/90 tour. During that medley, he included brief segments of John Lennon songs, but it lasted under a minute. The last complete rendition occurred on December 12, 1965, when the Beatles performed in Cardiff, Wales.

### Reflecting on the Song’s Significance

The revival of “Help!” is especially noteworthy as McCartney typically shies away from Beatles songs dominated by Lennon’s influence. Lennon himself reflected on the song’s deeper meaning in a 1980 interview, revealing that it was born from a time of personal struggle and sadness, contrary to its upbeat feel.

### A Setlist of Classics

The setlist for the Santa Barbara show featured a variety of beloved hits, including “Getting Better,” “Lady Madonna,” “Hey Jude,” and “Helter Skelter.” Songs from his Wings era, like “Jet” and “Live and Let Die,” were also included, along with solo favorites such as “My Valentine” and “Coming Up.” He even thrilled the crowd with a newly released Beatles track, “Now and Then,” and delighted fans by performing a virtual duet with John Lennon on “I’ve Got a Feeling,” using archival footage from a rooftop performance in 1969.

### Upcoming Shows and Expectations

McCartney’s tour will continue at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, California. As the set is likely to include “Help!” moving forward, fans can anticipate more footage from this landmark tour very soon.

What was your favorite moment from McCartney’s latest performance?