PAUL MCARTNEY
NOVEMBER 18th, 2025
BELL CENTRE, MONTREAL, QC
Paul McCartney didn’t just perform in Montreal—he lifted the Bell Centre straight into the stratosphere. Opening with a euphoric “Help!”, Sir Paul set the tone immediately: he’s in incredible shape, fully charged, and ready to rock songs from his solo repertoire along with classic hits from The Beatles and Wings. The crowd of 18,000 (part of a staggering 36,000 across two nights) erupted as he strode onstage, instantly proving that 83 years old means very little when you’re Paul McCartney.
From there, the set flowed effortlessly. Introducing a newer track with a playful, “You might not know this one, but we’re gonna play it anyway,” Paul launched into “Come On to Me”, where the brass section absolutely shined. Not long after, he shrugged off his jacket—with a grin that suggested he was just getting warmed up.
After a strong performance of the Wings song “Let Me Roll It,” Paul slid into a fiery “Foxy Lady” coda and shared a priceless story about meeting Jimi Hendrix. He recalled being at a bar, seeing Hendrix play before anyone else had caught on. Within days, musicians like Clapton and Townshend were trying to catch the show. It was a wonderful glimpse into the intimacy and electricity of that era.
“Let ‘Em In” brought big-band energy, complete with visuals of marching bands parading down streets, and Paul even delivered some impressively charming whistling. “My Valentine” was tender and heartfelt, dedicated in French to his wife—who was in the audience—earning a sweet wave from Paul as Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp appeared on-screen performing sign language.
Then came lasers for “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five,” a stunning piano-driven “Maybe I’m Amazed”accompanied by visuals of Paul and his child, and a beautifully intimate “Michelle” set against Parisian imagery. “In Spite of All the Danger,” their first song ever recorded under the band name The Quarrymen, was a nostalgic treasure.
At one point, a fan shouted “I love you, Paul!” and without missing a beat, he fired back, “Love you too!”—a moment so quick and genuine it brought the house down.
He honored George Martin with “Love Me Do,” lit up the room with the mandolin-powered “Everybody’s Gonna Dance Tonight” (featuring his drummer hamming it up like a born entertainer), and then delivered a breathtaking “Blackbird” while rising above the crowd on a massive platform. The ovation that followed was thunderous.
Paul also told a powerful story from the Beatles’ Jacksonville days, when the band refused to perform for a segregated audience. The promoters were forced to integrate the event—the first time this happened for a major show in America. Paul recalled a Black woman later telling him, “It didn’t matter, because we were all screaming at the Beatles!” It was a moving reminder of how music—and courage—can change things.
He paid a tender tribute to John Lennon with “Here Today,” explaining that he wrote it to finally say “I love you” after John’s death. Then came “Now and Then,” thanking John for “writing that beautiful song.” A ukulele emerged next for “Something,” gifted to him by George Harrison—a sweet, loving homage.
From there: pure fireworks. “Band on the Run.” An absolutely explosive “Live and Let Die,” with more pyro than a Rammstein show. And then “Hey Jude,” arguably the greatest sing-along in pop history, filling the arena with 18,000 voices in perfect unison.
Encore
The band returned waving Canadian, Québécois, British, and LGBTQ+ flags before Paul grinned and said, “You said you wanted some more. Okay!” They launched into “I’ve Got a Feeling,” with Paul visibly joyful as he sang alongside footage of John Lennon on the big screens.
Then came a face-melting “Helter Skelter,” followed by the grand finale: “The End.” It was spectacular. Jaw-dropping. And unbelievably energetic for a performer of any age—let alone someone who just turned 83.
By the time the lights came up, it was clear: this wasn’t just a concert. It was a life-changing experience. Seeing a Beatle in the flesh, still mastering bass, guitar, piano, ukulele, mandolin, and even whistling? Simply extraordinary.
Paul McCartney didn’t just put on a show—he put on a show that most 22-year-olds would struggle to match. Montreal witnessed something truly special. And we were all lucky enough to be in the room.
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