Photos and Review by Max Stewart
Sir Paul McCartney has touched so many lives through his music that trying to quantify his impact feels almost impossible. Centuries from now, we’ll still marvel at the melodies and arrangements he crafted with The Beatles, Wings, and throughout his prolific solo career. At 83, McCartney continues to perform nearly three-hour setlists to legions of fans across generations, an enduring testament to his genius and dedication to spreading joy through live music.
When McCartney’s 2025 tour was announced, it coincided with my wife’s and my anniversary on November 3rd, so it was an easy decision to celebrate with Sir Paul. His last Atlanta appearance in 2017 also fell on my mother’s birthday and my wife and I saw him in 2017 during her birthday, so perhaps he’s got a knack for timing these things. Before jumping into a typical review of the two-night affair, I wanted to share a few reflections from family and friends who joined me over both nights at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena (some of which had never seen McCartney live), further proof of his enduring and wide-spanning influence.
Generations United by a Beatle
As my wife, Brittany Stewart, reflected on the experience, she shared how deeply personal the evening was given her family’s Liverpool roots and our shared history with McCartney:
“It’s increasingly uncommon to see intergenerational families under one roof these days, but I had the distinct privilege of growing up with my Nana & Granddad (my mom’s parents) in our home. Hailing from Liverpool, England where they met, married, and raised five children, they then immigrated to the US with my mom in search of the American Dream. Music was an ever-present feature in our family, so you better believe that The Beatles played prominently from our speakers, as four Scousers who also chased big dreams (and did alright for themselves). How incredible it was to be a kid regaled with stories from The Cavern Club, some relative bussing tables with lyrics scribbled on cocktail napkins, and just how talented and hard-working they really were.
Against this backdrop, it’s incredibly nostalgic to see the legendary Sir Paul McCartney live in concert, which I first had the opportunity to experience almost a decade ago, the day after my 25th birthday with my now-husband. I was absolutely floored by his performance, complete with serious pyrotechnics for “Live and Let Die” and witnessing an adoring fan getting an autograph onstage to complete her dedicated “Hey Jude” tattoo, so naturally pleaded that we find last-minute tickets to catch him again at night two and experience the magic once more..
Later, this would come to mean even more as we heartbreakingly said goodbye to my beloved Nana, with ‘Let It Be’ playing in the background as she passed: this was not by design, but divine intervention must have been at play as her mother was also named Mary and that opening line triggered tears from us all. ‘Let It Be’ also served as the song my dad and I chose to dance to at my wedding, thanks to the fond memory of us learning to play the tune together on my keyboard, which was a treasured Christmas gift one year as a pre-teen.
This November, my husband and I excitedly secured tickets to see Paul live with my parents as a gift for their 40th wedding anniversary. My mom had never seen him before despite her lifelong fandom, so it was emotional and special to experience together. In this way, Paul’s music continues to be with us through life’s highs and lows, and I am immensely grateful to witness live the soundtrack of my life. Thank you, Macca, for generously sharing your music and light with us all.”
My mother-in-law, Irene Murphy, a proud native of Liverpool who had never seen McCartney live, was moved by the cultural significance of the night and remarked how special it was to see one of her hometown heroes in full flight:
“As a kid from Liverpool, I was thrilled to see one of our own, someone who fought for civil rights and refused to play segregated concerts. Four lads from Liverpool made a difference with “Blackbird” and its message. It was an unforgettable night.”
My mother, Margaret Stewart, in her seventies and a lifelong Macca superfan, summed it up simply:
“To be breathing the same air as a genius and hero of mine was beyond belief. He’s brought happiness to millions and continues to do so. One of the happiest nights of my life. Thank you, Paul.”
My father, Charlie Stewart, who saw Wings twice in Atlanta in 1976, shared this memory:
“On the second night at The Omni, an usher suddenly moved our whole row from behind the stage to the 15th row center. What began as a nosebleed ticket turned into an unforgettable up-front experience. Seeing Paul in 2025, still switching between bass, guitar, and piano, reminded me of those nights… he hasn’t lost a step.”
Sherry Shedd, my mom’s good friend who first saw the Beatles on TV and got to witness him perform for the first time:
“Paul became my favorite Beatle when I saw him on The Ed Sullivan Show at ten years old. Seeing him live 62 years later was the dream of a lifetime.”
And, finally my good friend, James Allen (genuinely the biggest Beatles fan that I know) reflected on the night of also seeing him for the first time:
“As a young lad, I used to say I was the biggest Beatles fan under 30. But seeing all the kids at the McCartney concert going absolutely insane, I may have to stand corrected. The Beatles have truly transcended generations. McCartney delivered a masterful performance that reminds you why his music is timeless. Watching kids and teens ‘beep beep’ along to “Drive My Car”, a 60-year-old song, shows just how deeply his music still connects.”
Two Nights of The Music That Raised Us All
Opening with the timeless Beatles tune “Help!”, McCartney’s set showcased not only his songwriting genius but also the seamless chemistry of his longtime band that includes Paul “Wix” Wickens (keys), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar), and Abe Laboriel Jr. (drums). Performing vibrant takes of 1980’s “Coming Up” and Revolver‘s “Got to Get You Into My Life”, complete with a brass section that added fresh energy, were immediate reminders on how many great songs Macca has in his repertoire.
On a personal note, watching my parents and my in-laws lean into the music with the same wide-eyes they had decades ago made me realize just how deep his impact runs. It felt like the music was as much about our history and our memories as about the songs themselves. And obviously being alongside my wife on our anniversary was an incredible memory given my wife’s Liverpool and Beatles family history and the fact that I performed “I Feel Fine” at our wedding in 2018.
Throughout both nights, McCartney effortlessly toggled between instruments and eras. The Beatles’ catalog was, of course, well-represented throughout the set, but Wings classics like “Jet,” “Letting Go,” “Let ’Em In,” and “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five” were seamlessly woven in as well. Another Wings tune (“Let Me Roll It”) segued into Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady,” where McCartney proved he is not just a bassist while ripping some guitar leads. His dedication to Hendrix, coupled with an anecdote about seeing him live in the 60s in London, was a quick reminder that we were hearing history straight from the source.
Sir Paul has a way of taking a basic chord structure and layering on a superb lyric that ultimately grabs you and refuses to let go. He kind of wrote the book on this, if we’re being honest. In between songs, McCartney was as spry and charming as ever and would modestly welcome applause while acknowledging every corner of the arena. At one point during the first night, he said he needed a second to stop and “drink it in.” For someone who’s played for millions, that humility and sincerity still shine through.
There was truly a connection between the audience and McCartney during both nights, despite his mammoth musical accomplishments and godlike celebrity status. It almost felt like Sir Paul was the humble king who welcomed all of the townspeople to dinner at the castle for the evening.
Every musical transition felt natural, a masterclass in pacing and emotion. Beatles history buffs were delighted when McCartney performed The Quarrymen song “In Spite of All Danger,” the first ever recorded tune by Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. “I’ve Just Seen a Face” was one of the most welcomed additions to the setlist, an oftentimes overlooked gem in the Beatles discography. Emotions ran high during the soaring “Maybe I’m Amazed” (for his late wife Linda) and the heartfelt “My Valentine” (which he dedicated to his wife Nancy, who was in the audience). The harmonica part from “Love Me Do” ignited a chorus of age-spanning fans singing harmoniously, which powerfully echoed throughout the arena. With “Lady Madonna,” McCartney showed once again that he’s always had a heart for the everyman (and every woman), celebrating the world’s hardworking mothers as their images lit up the screens behind him.
At one point, the rest of the band took a break and McCartney ascended as the center stage rose during “Blackbird.” He told the crowd that the song was written during the Civil Rights movement, and it was intended to inspire the oppressed African American community to rise above and “fly into the light of a dark black night.” Emotions were high during this solo portion of the set, and he continued to wear his heart on his sleeve in dedicating “Here Today” to John Lennon. The heartfelt lyrics demonstrate his love for his former bandmate, despite any tension that may have existed post-breakup.
When McCartney busted out the ukulele for “Something” (is there anything this man can’t do?), he yet again pulled us aside and told us about the time he learned to play the tune at George Harrison’s place. McCartney thanked Harrison “for writing that beautiful song” as the tune transitioned to incorporate the full band, while photos of Harrison shuffled in the background. Crowd participation was at an all-time high as the keyboard intro bounced along during “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” with the State Farm Arena almost shaking during the lively chorus. With effortless chemistry, the band launched into the three-part “Band on the Run” medley, delivering one of McCartney’s most electrifying post-Beatles highlights.
Music is the unifying force of the planet, and during both “Get Back” and “Let It Be” the arena was a true unit sewn together by the song. We did not pay mind to different political ideologies, ages, creeds, or religious beliefs; we were all just in the moment and could all get along for those brief few minutes. Music’s transcending power is why it is special to us all.
The set closed with the ultimate one-two punch: Wings’ 1973 epic “Live and Let Die” followed by the Beatles’ 1968 classic “Hey Jude.” “Live and Let Die” is the quintessential power ballad, the elegant piano arrangement and vocals are literally blasted into orbit by a messy yet contained arrangement. And, oh boy, is it a spectacle live. The pyrotechnics literally brought the heat to attendees’ smiling faces and the light show aligned perfectly with the ebbs and flows of the tune. What can you even say about “Hey Jude”? Every music fan should experience the “Na Na Na Na…. Hey Jude” singalong at least once in their lives. Fans were featured on the big screens singing along to the iconic section of the song, and on our anniversary, my wife and I were shown with her parents, sporting a red Liverpool F.C. scarf. It was a special memory for us and especially for my Liverpudlian mother-in-law.
The cell phone lighters (ahem iPhone flashlights) filled the air with an accompanying mix of cheers and whistles as McCartney and his band fervently returned to the stage after the encore waving the United States, Georgia, Union Jack, and a Pride flags. McCartney is a man of the people and surely must feel a sense of pride as this country has been a pivotal part of his career, starting on the Ed Sullivan Show back in ’64. He is a true entertainer who appreciates his broad audience and gives them all the show they deserve every night.
As McCartney sang “I’ve Got a Feeling” from Let It Be to kick off the encore, Lennon’s vocal part was overlaid in the background with footage from the final rooftop concert, a truly poignant moment. The set closed with three songs that consequently are also on the latter half of Abbey Road, which were played in the album’s sequential order: the piano-centric “Golden Slumbers,” followed by the inspirational “Carry That Weight,” and finally putting a bow on it all with the poignant “The End.”
“In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”; these words seemed to resonate just as equally with the former Sixties flower child as it did with the Snapchat-obsessed, twenty-somethings in the crowd.
Macca made us feel welcome while we enjoyed an unpretentious concert experience complete with charisma and delightful anecdotes. His vast array of music means the world to my family and to so many people, and it was quite touching to see others in the audience with the same mesmerized smiles.
At this point in his career, McCartney could certainly opt to sit on a beach and collect checks somewhere in the South of France, but at 83 he still chooses to tour and bring out spine-tingling moments of bliss to a crowd that ranges from 9 – 99. He has made musical memories for my family and friends that we will never forget. And for that, Sir Paul, we are very thankful. Cheers.