Legendary Beatle Paul McCartney took center stage in May 2025, headlining the season 51 finale of Saturday Night Live and then delivering two intimate, surprise concerts in Hollywood—all while gearing up for the release of his first studio album in five years.
SNL Season Finale Performance
McCartney performed as the musical guest on the May 16, 2025, episode of Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by Will Ferrell. This marked his fifth time as musical guest on the show, following previous appearances in 1980, 1993, 2010, and 2012. He also performed during the SNL 50th anniversary special in February 2025.
Performances
- "Days We Left Behind": The lead single from his upcoming album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, which is scheduled for release on May 29, 2025. McCartney described the song as drawing on childhood memories of Liverpool.
- "Band on the Run": The title track from Wings' 1973 album, which won a Grammy Award.
- "Coming Up": A song from his 1980 album McCartney II, performed as an encore during the credits.
Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers played drums on "Days We Left Behind" and "Band on the Run."
Other Appearances
McCartney joined host Will Ferrell during his monologue in a skit involving Chad Smith. He also appeared in a sketch with Ferrell and Marcello Hernández as mechanics.
Fonda Theatre Concerts
McCartney performed two concerts at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, marking his first live appearances since the conclusion of his Got Back Tour. The venue has a standing room capacity of approximately 1,200 people. Entry to the concerts was managed through a lottery-style ticketing system.
Set List
The performances featured an abridged version of his Got Back Tour set list, consisting of 25 songs performed over nearly two hours. The set list included:
- Help!
- Coming Up
- Got to Get You Into My Life
- Let Me Roll It (with an instrumental cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Foxey Lady" appended)
- Getting Better
- Let ‘Em In
- My Valentine
- Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
- Maybe I’m Amazed
- I’ve Just Seen a Face
- Every Night
- From Me to You
- Blackbird
- Now and Then
- Lady Madonna
- Something
- Band on the Run
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- Get Back
- Let It Be
- Hey Jude
- Golden Slumbers
- Carry That Weight
- The End
Some songs, such as "Maybe I’m Amazed" and "Band on the Run," were performed on Saturday but not on Friday. "Blackbird" was performed solo.
Tributes
During the performances, McCartney dedicated "Something" to George Harrison. He also dedicated "My Valentine" to his wife, Nancy Shevell.
Band
McCartney's band included keyboardist Paul "Wix" Wickens, guitarist Rusty Anderson, guitarist-bassist Brian Ray, and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., along with a three-piece horn section.
Attendance
Elton John and Sharon Osbourne were noted to be in attendance in a designated balcony section.
Album Details
McCartney's upcoming album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, is his 18th solo studio album and his first since McCartney III (2020). It was produced by Andrew Watt. Other tracks on the album include "Salesman Saint" and "Home to Us," which is his first duet with Ringo Starr. The lead single, "Days We Left Behind," was released prior to the performances.