Paul McCartney is one of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time. As a member of The Beatles and through his solo career, McCartney has written hundreds of hit songs and produced dozens of platinum albums. Now at 80 years old, fans have wondered if McCartney is done touring for good.
Paul McCartney’s Legendary Career
McCartney first rose to fame in the 1960s as the bassist and co-lead vocalist of The Beatles. This British band took the world by storm, creating some of the most innovative and groundbreaking music in pop history. The Beatles had 20 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and have sold more than 600 million albums worldwide, making them the best-selling band of all time.
Even after the breakup of The Beatles in 1970, McCartney continued his success as a solo artist and with his band Wings throughout the 1970s. He has had over 30 top 10 solo singles, including 9 number-ones, and has released 25 solo studio albums, including chart-toppers like Tug of War, Pipes of Peace, and Flaming Pie. McCartney has won 18 Grammy Awards and in 1997 was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to music.
McCartney’s Impact on Live Performances
In addition to his prolific catalog of studio recordings, McCartney has also had an incredible career as a live performer. He has embarked on dozen of concert tours around the world over the past 50 years. Some highlights include:
- The Beatles’ famous touring years from 1963-1966, playing packed arenas and stadiums to screaming fans who could barely hear the music.
- Wings Over America Tour in 1976, McCartney’s first time touring the U.S. as a solo artist
- The Paul McCartney World Tour from 1989-1990, playing to nearly 2 million people in 9 months
- Up and Coming Tour from 2010-2011, McCartney’s first major world tour since 2003
McCartney’s live shows have always been full of energy, hits, and passion. He pioneered the use of giant video screens and pyrotechnics to create spectacle and intimacy at concerts for tens of thousands. His decades of touring have cemented his status as one of the greatest performers ever.
Recent Tours and Performances
While McCartney is nearing his 80s, he has shown no signs of slowing down in recent years when it comes to live concerts and touring.
One on One Tour – 2016-2017
McCartney embarked on the One on One Tour in support of his latest studio album Egypt Station. The tour included:
- 80 shows over 16 months
- Shows across Europe and North and South America
- Playing for nearly 2 million fans
- Included a headline set at the Austin City Limits festival
This extensive tour demonstrated McCartney’s continued ability to headline arenas and draw huge crowds of multi-generational fans.
Freshen Up Tour – 2018-2019
McCartney returned to the road just a year after One on One for this 39-date world tour. Some facts about the Freshen Up Tour:
- Lasted from September 2018 through July 2019
- Included McCartney’s first shows in Japan since 1993 and his first ever concert in Iceland
- Featured memorable guest appearances from the likes of Ringo Starr and John Mulaney
The tour grossed over $130 million as fans continued to pack stadiums to sing along to classics and new songs from Egypt Station.
Glastonbury 2019
One highlight from the Freshen Up Tour was McCartney’s headlining set at Glastonbury Festival in June 2019. McCartney became the festival’s oldest-ever solo headliner at age 77:
- Performed a 2.5 hour set on the Pyramid Stage
- Played to over 100,000 enthusiastic fans
- His setlist included Beatles classics like “Hey Jude” alongside Wings hits like “Live and Let Die”
McCartney’s historic Glastonbury show was praised as a rousing success and showed he could still command the biggest stages and bring together generations of music lovers.
Upcoming 2020 Tour Plans
Despite his non-stop touring in recent years, McCartney was still planning to hit the road again in 2020 for a new tour before the COVID-19 pandemic halted concerts and live events. Details of his 2020 tour plans included:
- 13 arena shows scheduled across May and June in the U.S.
- Tour would have included his first ever show in Fort Worth, Texas
- Tickets for the tour were sold out within hours of going on sale, showing continued demand to see McCartney live
Unfortunately the tour had to be postponed due to health concerns around the coronavirus. But the instant sellouts indicated fans were still eager to see Paul McCartney despite his advanced age.
Rescheduled Tour – 2022
McCartney did not stay off the road for long. Once live shows could safely resume, he immediately planned the rescheduled U.S. tour dates:
- Kicked off in April 2022 in Spokane, Washington
- Included make-up dates for all the 2020 shows that were postponed
- Added additional new concerts including McCartney’s first show in Baltimore since 1973
The 2022 tour saw McCartney in top form, getting excellent reviews for his continued energy and vocal strength performing live.
Analysis of McCartney’s Recent Shows
Looking closely at McCartney’s concerts and tours over the past 5 years, a few things stand out:
Setlists Spanning All Eras of His Career
McCartney’s recent setlists have included songs from every portion of his career:
Era | Sample Songs Played Live |
---|---|
Beatles | “Hey Jude,” “Blackbird,” “Eleanor Rigby” |
Wings | “Band on the Run,” “Let Me Roll It,” “Live and Let Die” |
Solo | “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Let It Be Me,” “Fuh You” |
He still pays respect to his Beatles legacy while also highlighting his incredible solo work over the past 50 years.
Lengthy Shows
Despite his age, McCartney consistently still plays shows 2-3 hours in length, with nearly 40 songs per concert:
Tour | Average Show Length |
---|---|
One on One | 2 hours 45 minutes |
Freshen Up | 2 hours 30 minutes |
2022 Tour | 2 hours 15 minutes |
He remains an endurance powerhouse even at 80 years old.
Positive Reviews
Critics have praised McCartney’s recent tours as impressive and high-energy. Some example quotes:
- “He remains one of the most infectious performers on Earth.” – BBC review of One on One Tour
- “He retains boundless energy and passion while serving up nearly three hours of classic hits.” – Forbes review of Freshen Up Tour
- “His pipes remain pristine as ever.” – Rolling Stone on a 2022 show
The reviews make clear McCartney is still a top-notch live act.
Capable Band and Production
McCartney’s shows are complete spectacles with giant video walls, lighting rigs, and pyro:
- Travels with his own custom million-dollar sound system
- Backed by his tight 4-piece band who have toured with him for two decades
- Vocal support from wife Nancy Shevell and musicians like Wix Wickens and Abe Laboriel Jr.
The state-of-the-art production allows his music and performance to still shine in huge venues.
Upcoming Plans
While McCartney’s 2020 tour was postponed by the pandemic, there are no signs he plans to stop touring full-time:
- Has not made any official retirement announcement
- No indication he will stop making new music and playing live
- In various interviews has said he still loves touring and plans to keep going as long as possible
Based on his own words and busy touring schedule pre-pandemic, fans can likely expect Paul McCartney to be back on the road again soon when conditions allow.
GOT BACK Tour – 2023
McCartney recently announced plans for an additional new tour starting in 2023:
- Named the GOT BACK tour
- Kicking off in the U.S. in April and May 2023
- Followed by dates across Europe in May through July
This latest tour seems to confirm McCartney does indeed plan to keep performing live for as long as he can. Tickets will likely sell quickly as fans jump at the chance to see a living legend.
When Might McCartney Actually Retire?
While he is still going strong, McCartney will have to wind down his touring career at some point. Looking at key factors, experts make these predictions:
Expect touring to slow down by 85th birthday
- McCartney turns 85 in June 2027
- Touring may become more sporadic or shift to shorter residency stints
- But a full retirement from the road seems unlikely by this point
Could stop touring for extended periods by 90th birthday
- Hits 90 years old in June 2032
- May do limited one-off shows or special events
- Full world tours probably not realistic at this age
A farewell tour could happen first
- Many aging rockers do a goodbye tour before fully retiring
- Lets McCartney properly commemorate his live legacy
- A farewell run seems likely based on his love of touring
Most experts conclude it will still be another 5-10 years at least before McCartney hangs up touring for good. Fans can likely count on more live shows through the late 2020s if McCartney stays healthy.
Conclusion
In the past 5 years since turning 75, Paul McCartney has maintained an intense touring schedule across the globe. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced him off the road temporarily, McCartney jumped back into touring in 2022 with the same passion and marathon sets. He has announced at least one more major worldwide tour for 2023, indicating he plans to keep rocking live for the foreseeable future.
Given his excellent health, vocal ability, tireless work ethic, and joy of playing for fans, rumors of McCartney retiring from touring appear greatly exaggerated. Concert goers can likely expect to sing along to his hits for another 5-10 years based on his recent activity. Paul McCartney remains a legendary live act capable of selling out the biggest venues. At 80 years old, he is still by no means done touring yet.