Saturday Night Live - Season 51 - Episode 20

Highlights

• Days We Left Behind

  First live rendition

• Band On The Run

  With guest(s)

• Coming Up

  With guest(s) Partially broadcast

As part of the promotional campaign for his album “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane“, Paul McCartney appeared on the Season 51 finale of “Saturday Night Live“, hosted by Will Ferrell. Many celebrities were in the audience, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen…

Paul took part in the opening monologue alongside Ferrell and appeared in the “Mechanics” sketch. He performed three songs during the broadcast, including the live debut of “Days We Left Behind“, the lead single from “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane.”

Paul was joined by his regular touring band, with two exceptions: drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. did not appear, his place taken by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, who also participated in the opening monologue. No reason was given for Laboriel Jr.’s absence. American singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson also joined the ensemble on stage to provide backing vocals.

Paul had already played with Smith. In August 2024, Paul had joined Smith and Andrew Watt — producer of “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane” — for an impromptu performance at the Stephen Talkhouse, a small club in the Hamptons. Smith and Watt are close friends.

I did not work on the show this week but I was there to watch both the dress rehearsal and the live show. I can tell you the energy in the room for Sir Paul was really high and the crowd loved it. At the end of the show when he did Coming up (I’m not sure how much made air during credits), Will Ferrell came on stage and started banging a cowbell and singing the chorus with Paul which was hilarious. And Macca really got a kick out of it, even calling him back out for more!

Then he played Help and Drive My Car in a mini set for the live audience and crew.

An amazing night, with the studio packed with celebrities like Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Mike Myers, Steven Spielberg, Anna Wintour, Kristen Stewart, Mets owner Steve Cohen and wife, Mets announcer Howie Rose, Stella and Mary McCartney and of course Nancy.

An amazing night! Paul and his band went to the after party and the walls of 30 Rock are gonna be ringing with Beatles and Macca music for quite some time. I was lucky to be there.

Michael Knarre – Cameraman who works on a regular base for SNL – From Maccazine on Facebook, May 17, 2026

From NBC.com – The Final 3 SNL Hosts & Musical Guests for Season 51 Have Been Revealed, April 8, 2026:

Season 51 of SNL officially wraps up with the May 16 episode, which features a truly legendary Host and Musical Guest duo: Will Ferrell and Paul McCartney.

Ferrell is an SNL icon who was part of the cast from Season 21 to Season 27 and has been a member of the illustrious Five-Timers Club since his last hosting gig in Season 45. McCartney made his first appearance as an SNL Musical Guest all the way back in Season 5. The May 16 episode marks the former Beatles member’s fifth time taking the stage as a solo artist.

From Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on Instagram, May 16, 2026:

LADIES & GENTLEMEN… PAUL McCARTNEY. Tonight, the 2x Inductee is set to become a 5x musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

Can’t wait for @paulmccartney’s performance on @nbcsnl tonight? Same. Until then, we’ll be watching his past performances on the show in our exhibit “SNL: Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of Music.” Tune in to SNL tonight to see another historical performance.

P.S. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is the only place you can see every musical performance that ever aired on SNL (plus a few that didn’t air.) Visit our SNL exhibit to explore over 1,400 performances and learn more about Paul McCartney in our newest exhibit, “Paul McCartney and Wings” – now open.

I got a call on a monday to fill in in Sir Paul Mccartney’s band for that Saturday for @nbcsnl and proceeded to have 6 days of “what is my life????” what an honor it has been to be inside this music that has shaped me. his band and crew and team are all as lovely as he. and he is lovely. just as you’d imagine. even lovelier i’d say. I will never forget these 6 days for the rest of my life. I wish my father could see me now. he’d be prouder than punch.

Ingrid Michaelson – From Ingrid Michaelson on Instagram, May 17, 2026

Setlist for the concert

1. Days We Left Behind

   Written by Paul McCartney

   Chad Smith : Drums Ingrid Michaelson : Backing vocals

   

2. Band On The Run

   Written by Paul McCartney, Linda Eastman / McCartney

   Chad Smith : Drums Ingrid Michaelson : Backing vocals

   

3. Coming Up

   Written by Paul McCartney

   Partially broadcast

   Chad Smith : Drums Ingrid Michaelson : Backing vocals

4. Help!

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Not broadcast

   Chad Smith : Drums Ingrid Michaelson : Backing vocals

   

5. Drive My Car

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Not broadcast

   Chad Smith : Drums Ingrid Michaelson : Backing vocals