Santa Barbara had its own Beatlemania moment last Friday night when Sir Paul McCartney kicked off his 2025 “Got Back” Tour with a one-night-only show at the iconic Santa Barbara Bowl. Under a blanket of coastal stars, the 83-year-old legend opened with a full-throated rendition of “Help!” — the first time he’s ever performed the Lennon-penned classic in its entirety. And yes, it was every bit as electric as you’d imagine.

But let’s rewind to the real opening act: the ticket scramble. This wasn’t your average Ticketmaster refresh-a-thon. Fans had to register in advance through Fair AXS, cross their fingers, and hope the algorithm gods smiled upon them. No box office sales, no second chances. And if you did get in? Well, prepare to pay up. Floor seats started north of $400, with preferred spots climbing past $500. General admission hovered around $700 — and that’s before fees

Still, for the lucky 4,900 who made it past the velvet rope of modern ticketing, the night was unforgettable. McCartney’s set spanned decades, from Beatles classics to Wings deep cuts, all delivered with the charm and stamina of a man half his age. The Bowl’s intimate vibe made it feel like a backyard jam session — if your backyard happened to host rock royalty.

Taylor Swift was in attendance — reportedly seated in the VIP section with friends, soaking in the show like the rest of us mere mortals. No on-stage cameo, but her presence alone sent social media into a frenzy. Swift and McCartney have long expressed mutual admiration, and seeing her at the Bowl felt like a passing of the torch between generations of songwriting royalty.

Paul McCartney — Santa Barbara Bowl Set List (2025)

1. Help!
2. Can’t Buy Me Love
3. Junior’s Farm
4. Letting Go
5. Got to Get You Into My Life
6. Come On to Me
7. Let Me Roll It (with a tribute to Jimi Hendrix)
8. Getting Better
9. Let ‘Em In
10. My Valentine
11. 1985
12. Maybe I’m Amazed
13. I’ve Just Seen a Face
14. In Spite of All the Danger
15. Love Me Do
16. Dance Tonight
17. Blackbird
18. Here Today
19. New
20. Lady Madonna
21. Fuh You
22. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
23. Band on the Run
24. Get Back
25. Let It Be
26. Live and Let Die
27. Hey Jude

Encore:

28. Birthday
29. Helter Skelter
30. Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End

It was a marathon of melody — 30 songs spanning six decades, with McCartney switching between bass, piano, and guitar like it was still 1965. And yes, Taylor Swift was there, reportedly singing along to “Hey Jude” with the rest of us. No duet, but the energy in the Bowl was electric enough without it.