A Generation-Spanning Voice: Paul McCartney Live in Chicago
Show Review ★ Leanna Hubers ★ @leannagirly ★ 2 Minutes
Paul McCartney closed out his 2025 touring year at Chicago’s United Center with a performance that brought thousands together, being the last show in the Midwest since his 2014 Out There! tour. Before the show even began, the night already felt surreal. As fans gathered outside the venue, McCartney pulled up and waved to the small crowd, a gesture that established for what would become an intimate evening. For two hours and thirty minutes, McCartney played through decades of music, reminding the packed arena of the joy that still radiates from him at 83.
Sir Paul McCartney on tour via Mj Kim
When McCartney took the stage and opened with Help! it was intentional. The sixties classic snapped United Center to attention and set the mood for a setlist that would span over decades. Backed by an energetic band and dancing instrumentalists, McCartney moved seamlessly between eras, motioning into a setlist that balanced Beatles classics, Wings songs, and solo deep cuts. Early highs gave way to moments of reflection, with later songs like Blackbird quieting the arena into admiration, even with a small mistake in the beginning. In those quieter moments, the scale of the venue seemed to dissolve. Voices softened, phones lowered, and the song’s fragility filled the room, so much to where it brought me to tears. Even the expected theatricality, including the explosive Live and Let Die, performance never overshadowed the warmth in the middle of the performance, with fireworks that felt celebratory rather than excessive. By the final stretch of the night, Let It Be and Hey Jude transformed the crowd into a single voice, spanning generations who all knew every word.
What truly anchored the night was McCartney himself. At his age, his stamina remains remarkable, and his warmth really made the concert. He smiled through small missteps, spoke candidly to the audience, and repeatedly expressed gratitude in ways that felt sincere rather than rehearsed. At several points, he paused to take in the crowd, visibly moved, as if aware of the weight of the moment. These gestures changed the show from a polished production into a show more personal.
On a personal level, the night stood as the best concert I have ever experienced. Seeing an artist whose music has shaped generations and has personally meant so much to my own life, felt overwhelming in the most grounding way. There is something uniquely emotional about watching your favorite musician perform songs you’ve carried with you for years, surrounded by thousands of people who feel the same connection. It was a reminder of why live music matters, and why everyone, at least once, should experience seeing the artist who means the most to them while they still can.
By the time McCartney and the band gave their final bow, the significance of the evening had settled in. This served me as a reminder of why Paul McCartney continues to remain popular. He invites people into his art, allowing each audience member to feel like participants rather than just being historical spectators.
