Paul McCartney Setlist 2026: Complete Song List & Average Concert Setlist

Key Highlights:

Career-Spanning Show: Paul McCartney performs timeless hits from The Beatles, Wings, and his solo career.
Nearly 3 Hours: Most concerts run 2.5–3 hours with 30–38 songs and no intermission.
Classic Hits: Expect favorites like “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” “Band on the Run,” and “Live and Let Die.”
Iconic Finale: Shows usually close with the Abbey Road medley, ending with “The End.”

A Paul McCartney concert is one of the most celebrated live experiences in popular music. Backed by his longtime touring band, McCartney delivers an energetic, career-spanning performance that blends Beatles classics, Wings favorites, and solo hits into a nearly three-hour show.

Throughout the evening, he effortlessly switches between his iconic Höfner bass, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and ukulele while sharing stories behind many of his songs. The result is a concert that balances rock anthems, intimate acoustic moments, and nostalgic storytelling, appealing to fans of every generation.

Quick Information

Information	Details
Artist	Paul McCartney
Genre	Rock / Pop Rock / Classic Rock
Typical Concert Length	2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours
Average Number of Songs	30 to 38 songs
Common Opening Songs	“Can’t Buy Me Love,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Junior’s Farm”
Common Encore Songs	“I’ve Got a Feeling,” “Birthday,” “Helter Skelter,” “Golden Slumbers”
Signature Closing Songs	“The End,” “Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight,” “Hey Jude”

Typical Paul McCartney Setlist

Below is a representative Paul McCartney setlist. Songs and sequencing vary from show to show.

“Can’t Buy Me Love”
“Junior’s Farm”
“Letting Go”
“Got to Get You Into My Life”
“Come On to Me”
“Let Me Roll It”
“Getting Better”
“Let ‘Em In”
“My Valentine”
“Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five”
“Maybe I’m Amazed”
“I’ve Just Seen a Face” (Acoustic)
“In Spite of All the Danger” (Acoustic)
“Love Me Do” (Acoustic)
“Dance Tonight”
“Blackbird” (Solo Acoustic)
“Here Today” (Solo Acoustic)
“Lady Madonna”
“Jet”
“Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”
“Something” (Ukulele to Full Band)
“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”
“Band on the Run”
“Get Back”
“Let It Be”
“Live and Let Die”
“Hey Jude”

Encore

“I’ve Got a Feeling”
“Birthday”
“Helter Skelter”
“Golden Slumbers”
“Carry That Weight”
“The End”

Most Frequently Performed Songs

Several songs have become permanent highlights of every Paul McCartney concert.

“Hey Jude” – A stadium anthem featuring one of the biggest audience singalongs in live music.
“Let It Be” – A timeless piano ballad that creates one of the night’s most emotional moments.
“Live and Let Die” – A spectacular performance accompanied by fireworks, flames, and dramatic pyrotechnics.
“Band on the Run” – A Wings classic that showcases McCartney’s songwriting and the band’s musicianship.
“Maybe I’m Amazed” – A powerful vocal and piano performance that remains one of his signature songs.
“Blackbird” – An intimate solo acoustic performance that provides a quiet contrast to the stadium spectacle.

Opening Songs

Paul McCartney usually begins his concerts with upbeat classics that immediately energize the crowd.

Common Concert Openers

“Can’t Buy Me Love” – A Beatles favorite that launches the show with instant excitement.
“A Hard Day’s Night” – An iconic opener recognized from its unforgettable opening chord.
“Junior’s Farm” – A hard-rocking Wings hit that gets the audience on its feet.

Encore Songs

McCartney’s encore is packed with some of the night’s biggest moments.

“I’ve Got a Feeling” – A Beatles classic featuring modern technology that recreates John Lennon’s vocal parts.
“Birthday” – A fun, energetic rocker that keeps the crowd celebrating.
“Helter Skelter” – One of the heaviest songs in his catalog, delivering explosive live energy.
“Golden Slumbers” – Begins the unforgettable Abbey Road finale.

Closing Songs

Paul McCartney concerts traditionally finish with one of the most iconic endings in rock history.

“The End” – The definitive concert closer, ending with the famous lyric, “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
“Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight” – The emotional build-up leading into the final song.
“Hey Jude” – Usually closes the main set with a stadium-wide singalong before the encore.

Concert Experience

Nearly Three Hours of Music

Paul McCartney performs for almost three hours without an intermission, moving seamlessly between rock anthems, acoustic performances, and heartfelt storytelling.

Multi-Generational Audience

Fans of all ages attend his concerts, from lifelong Beatles followers to younger listeners discovering the music for the first time. The atmosphere is joyful, nostalgic, and filled with crowd participation.

Stadium Production

Large LED screens, archival footage, dynamic lighting, lasers, and spectacular pyrotechnics—especially during “Live and Let Die”—create a world-class arena production while keeping the focus on the music.

Songs That Sometimes Appear

Alongside his biggest hits, McCartney occasionally rotates lesser-played favorites into the setlist.

Rotating Songs

“Getting Better” – A Beatles favorite that regularly appears during the first half of the show.
“Drive My Car” – An energetic classic that occasionally returns to the setlist.
“I’ve Just Seen a Face” – A bluegrass-inspired acoustic performance.
“Now and Then” – A recent addition featuring emotional visuals and Beatles history.

Signature Live Moments

Several traditions have become legendary parts of every Paul McCartney concert.

“Hey Jude” Singalong

McCartney leads the audience through the famous “na-na-na” finale, creating one of the biggest singalong moments in live music.

“Something” Ukulele Tribute

He begins George Harrison’s classic on ukulele before the full band joins for the complete arrangement.

“Live and Let Die”

Massive fireworks, flames, explosions, and pyrotechnics transform the song into one of the night’s most spectacular performances.

Why the Setlist Changes

Although the biggest hits remain consistent, Paul McCartney regularly adjusts parts of his setlist.

Career-Spanning Catalog: With hundreds of songs to choose from, McCartney rotates Beatles, Wings, and solo material throughout a tour.
Venue & Tour Format: Arena, stadium, festival, and special theater performances often feature slightly different song selections.
Regional Surprises: Some shows include rare songs or special additions for particular cities or significant occasions.
New Music: Recent releases are occasionally added alongside the classic hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What songs does Paul McCartney usually perform live?

Paul McCartney regularly performs “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” “Band on the Run,” “Live and Let Die,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and “Blackbird.”

How long is a typical Paul McCartney concert?

Most headlining concerts last 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.

How many songs are in a Paul McCartney setlist?

A typical setlist includes 30 to 38 songs, covering music from The Beatles, Wings, and his solo career.

Does Paul McCartney perform an encore?

Yes. His concerts almost always feature a multi-song encore ending with the famous Abbey Road medley.

Does Paul McCartney perform Beatles songs?

Yes. Beatles songs make up a significant portion of every concert alongside Wings and solo material.

What song usually opens a Paul McCartney concert?

“Can’t Buy Me Love,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” and “Junior’s Farm” are among his most common opening songs.

What song usually closes a Paul McCartney concert?

“The End” from the Abbey Road medley is the signature closing song at most Paul McCartney concerts.

Does Paul McCartney change his setlist every night?

Yes. While the biggest classics remain in every show, McCartney regularly rotates deeper cuts, acoustic performances, and selected Beatles or Wings songs throughout a tour.

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