Paul McCartney Delights Crowd at Santa Barbara Bowl
SANTA BARBARA — “In this next song,” said Paul McCartney, “we’d like you to sing along.” The crowd at the Santa Barbara Bowl was more than happy to oblige, having already been treated to a string of Beatles classics, including “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” “Love Me Do,” “Jet,” “Getting Better,” “Lady Madonna,” “Let Me Roll It,” and “Got to Get You Into My Life.”
At 83, McCartney shows no signs of slowing down, and his energy was infectious as he performed a fast and jumpy rendition of “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” that had the entire crowd on their feet, singing along to the iconic song. The small venue, with a capacity of only 4,500, made for an intimate setting, and the decision to have fans lock their phones in pouches on the way in added to the sense of immediacy and connection.
Paul McCartney and his band.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)
A Night of Nostalgia and Music
The concert was a warm-up gig ahead of the launch of the latest leg of McCartney’s Got Back world tour, which began in 2022 and will resume on Monday night in Palm Desert after a nine-month break. The smaller venue allowed for a more stripped-down version of the production, with a focus on the music and the audience experience.
McCartney’s setlist was a mix of old and new, with songs like “Help!,” “Coming Up,” and “Love Me Do” showcasing his ability to craft catchy, memorable melodies. He also told stories about his time with the Beatles, including meeting Jimi Hendrix and the inspiration behind “Let It Be.”
