Thursday, December 19, 2024
London
Concert • By Paul McCartney • Part of the European leg of the Got Back Tour
Last updated on July 4, 2025
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Concert • By Paul McCartney • Part of the European leg of the Got Back Tour
Last updated on July 4, 2025
Location: O2 Arena • London • UK
Concert Dec 15, 2024 • UK • Manchester
Concert Dec 18, 2024 • UK • London
Concert Dec 19, 2024 • UK • London
Article Dec 23, 2024 • "It's A Wonderful Life" musical project is on hold
Article Dec 25, 2024 • Paul McCartney gives permission to use Blackbird for "Gavin & Stacey: The Finale"
Next concert Feb 11, 2025 • Paul McCartney Rocks The Bowery (Night 1)
With guest(s)
With guest(s)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
With guest(s)
With guest(s)
On this day, Paul McCartney performed the second of two consecutive dates at the O2 in London, marking the final date of his 2024 “Got Back” tour.
As with the two recent dates in Manchester and the first date in London, “Wonderful Christmastime” was added to the setlist. For the two dates in London, Paul and the band were joined on stage by the Capital Children’s Choir for this track.
Before “Get Back“, Paul explained the old 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass that had been stolen from him in 1972 had been recently returned to him, and that he was going to play it for the first time since then in a concert. He also invited Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones to join him on stage. Ronnie Wood had previously guested in Paul’s concerts on various occasions, the last time being in December 2018 at the O2, also on “Get Back.“
During the encore, another guest star was invited on stage. Ringo Starr, who had watched the entire concert from the public, joined Paul and the band to play “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Helter Skelter.” The last time Ringo joined Paul on stage at one of his concerts was in July 2019 in Los Angeles.
Like the previous day, Paul’s daughter, Mary, published several behind-the-scenes videos on Instagram, featuring Ringo and his wife Barbara, Olivia Harrison, Ronnie Wood, Paul’s wife Nancy, and Paul and his band singing “The Monkees” theme song backstage.
It was an unforgettable night, which I attended, to end this 2024 “Got Back” tour.
Thank you, London! We’ve been all over South America and Europe and here we are back home for the last shows of the 2024 ‘Got Back’ tour.
Making its first stage appearance in 50 years… is my original bass! I haven’t played it in 50 years and what is more, here’s a special guest, a Rolling Stone: Ronnie Wood. And another surprise for you – the mighty, the one and only, Ringo Starr!
See you next time!
Paul McCartney – From Facebook, December 20, 2024
From Paul McCartney | News | For Whom The Bell Tells: ‘GOT BACK’ Europe Tour 2024:
“A masterpiece of performance and a deeply moving celebration of an all-time great” – The London Standard
From the second that Paul’s UK shows were announced in June and sold out within minutes, it was clear that December was going to be an unforgettable – not to mention busy – month. Anticipation had been steadily building back home as excitement rippled through South America earlier in the year, and now, with Christmas just a week away, the grand finale was set in London.
Manchester had set the stage perfectly. The five-star reviews, the electric atmosphere, the sheer euphoria of fans seeing Paul return to the UK – all of it heightened the sense that something truly special was coming. And being London, the excitement was amplified by an unbelievable guest list that would rival any Hollywood awards ceremony: George Clooney, Judi Dench, Hannah Waddingham, Kate Moss, Ed Sheeran, David Gilmour, Martin Freeman, Emma Thompson… the list went on! The only place where there were more stars was in Paul’s reviews!
Backstage at the O2 on both December 18th and 19th, the buzz was evident and infectious. It was part end-of-term revelry, part excited expectations for what lay ahead. Yet, through all of this, Paul remained the picture of cool. Arriving for soundcheck with his signature relaxed smile, he was every bit as chill and composed as he had been throughout this exhilarating three-month stretch. These London dates mark the culmination of a tour that has seen him play 23 shows since October 1st, performing to over half a million people across 11 countries. After the final note rings out on the second night, the thought of returning to ‘normal life’ without the nightly explosion of joy feels almost surreal. It’s intoxicating to be amid so much happiness, warmth and radiant positivity.
As Paul took to the stage for his final show of 2024, I found myself reflecting on a memory from 20 years ago, when this very venue – then the Millennium Dome – served as his rehearsal space before a European stadium tour. Back then, local residents, unaware of what was unfolding beneath the dome, had filed noise complaints. Little did they know that it was Paul doing damage with the decibels!
Being part of Paul’s touring world is an ongoing lesson in the power of passion and purpose. Watching his unwavering commitment to his craft day in and day out is a reminder of just how much one person can achieve, and the immense impact it has on all who feel it. It shapes all of us – not just those of us working on the tour, but also the 500,000 people who came out to see him over these past few months. This isn’t just a job; it’s an experience that overflows with unforgettable moments, inspiration, and something the London Standard recently coined: “joy-blubber.”
“The Joy-Blubber,” they explained in their post-show review, “is when you’re somehow crying and laughing and making faces that should never, ever be photographed. Last night, the sensation was brought on when the performance and music and memory (ok, and a few pints) combined.”
During the tour’s stunning finale, the first surprise of the evening came when Paul unveiled to the audience with obvious delight his aforementioned long-lost Hofner 500/1 bass. “We’ve been looking for it for 50 years,” he exclaimed. “Well, I got it back! And here to make its first stage appearance in 50 years… my original bass! I haven’t played it in 50 years.”
The surprises didn’t stop there. The energy in the O2 soared when Paul introduced his first special guest: none other than The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood. Together, with Paul’s band and his newly reunited bass, they tore through a thrilling rendition of ‘Get Back’, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Just when it seemed the night couldn’t get any bigger, Paul turned to the audience with a knowing smile: “So, we have another surprise for you,” he declared. “Bringing to the stage, the mighty, the one and only, Ringo Starr!”
The O2 erupted as Paul’s Beatles bandmate took his place behind the drums. The legendary duo then launched into ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Reprise’, rolling straight into an electrifying ‘Helter Skelter’. After the song’s crashing climax, a clearly emotional Ringo came onto the stage and addressed the rapturous crowd. “I’ve had a great night and love you all, especially this man,” he said, nodding toward Paul.
It was an occasion for the ages, the kind of enchantment that only great music can conjure. In one night, Paul had presented us with two hours of the world’s most beloved songs, a once-in-a-lifetime reunion, and an overwhelming wave of love and nostalgia.
As Paul’s 2024 live dates came to an unforgettable close, the sentiment was echoed in every five-star review, every smiling face in the audience, and every heart bursting with joy-blubber: this was a night – and a tour – for the history books.
You could feel a difference in the vibe when the crew began packing everything away. There was a party atmosphere. Paul and Nancy led the occasion by celebrating with their family, guests and the band, bringing another adventure to a close.
Taking my chance for a last word with the guys before we go our separate ways for the holidays, it was so heartwarming to see everyone beaming the biggest smiles as they talked about what had just happened on stage. Rusty laughed, and told me that it was “impossible to wrap one’s head around” the fact he’d stood on stage with both Paul and Ringo.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing alongside several guests over the years,” said Wix. “Ringo is always a thrill because, well, it’s The Beatles’ rhythm section!”
“What an incredible highlight and honour,” Abe concurred, “to not only share the stage with two of my heroes, but to also call them my friends… Please don’t wake me from this dream!”
“I’m still buzzing,” said Brian, adding: “Ronnie Wood was shredding away too!”As our time together came to a close, I asked if any other notable highlights from the tour stood out to them. “‘Now And Then’ live is very special,” Brian continued. “We watch the emotions flood the faces of the audience as they register the emotion of the spectrum. It has been a highlight of our 23 years as a band.”
“These two fun nights in London were a buzz,” said Rusty. “It was a great feeling, but also a little bittersweet because we are a large touring family, not just the band, but also the crew. And parting is such sweet sorrow!”
“I’d like to say thank you to all the fans for coming to the shows and listening to the music,” Paul said, rightfully having the last word. “You’ve been really great. Thanks for showing up!”
Brimming with a post-gig and post-tour glee, as I make my way out the O2, I walk into the Christmas holidays with the best feeling inside, knowing that so many thousand of people had been affected by the happiness Paul had spread on our travels, and the hope that we can make it all happen again as soon as possible!
Stuart Bell – Paul McCartney’s UK publicist – From Paul McCartney | News | For Whom The Bell Tells: ‘GOT BACK’ Europe Tour 2024
Simply had a wonderful time playing ‘Get Back’ with my good friends @paulmccartney and @ringostarrmusic at London’s @o2arena last night. Hope everyone there had the best time! Thank you to Mary McCartney for the videos
Ronnie Wood – From Ronnie Wood on X, December 20, 2024
From The Standard, December 20, 2024:
Sir Paul McCartney welcomed his former Beatles bandmate Sir Ringo Starr to the stage on Thursday night while playing to a packed crowd at London’s O2 Arena.
“We’ve got another surprise for you,” McCartney told the audience. “Bringing to the stage the mighty, the one and only Mr Ringo Starr!”
Arriving on stage to thunderous applause, Sir Ringo, 82, said: “I’ve had a great night tonight… how about you? Shall we rock?”
To which Sir Paul joked: “We can only rock if you can get on your kit, ma.”
The pair then tore through Helter Skelter and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, before The Beatles’ drummer left, adding: “I’m off now, I’ve had a great night and I love you all.”
Sir Paul was also joined by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood for the song Get Back, which saw him play his original Hofner 500/1 bass for the first time in 50 years, after it was stolen in 1972. […]
Sir Ringo was seen enjoying the show alongside stars like Kate Moss, Hannah Waddingham, and Ed Sheeran, as well as McCartney’s daughter, fashion designer Stella McCartney.
Fans also took to social media to share snaps with George Clooney, Judi Dench, Martin Freeman, and Professor Brian Cox.
From The Standard, December 20, 2024
This was the 8th concert played at O2 Arena.
A total of 8 concerts have been played there • 2009 • Dec 22 • 2010 • Mar 24 • 2011 • Dec 5 • 2015 • May 23 • May 24 • 2018 • Dec 16 • 2024 • Dec 18 • Dec 19
Instrumental Jam
Written by Carl Perkins
Written by Paul McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
See soundcheck statistics for “Got Back Tour”
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
Medley
Written by Jimi Hendrix
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
Written by Paul McCartney
Written by John Lennon
Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney
Written by George Harrison
Encore
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