Paul McCartney’s return to the stage in Spokane, Washington, was more than just the kickoff of his Got Back tour — it was a breathtaking reunion across time. Fans expected nostalgia, but what they got was something unforgettable: a duet between McCartney and the late John Lennon, made possible through the magic of modern technology.
As the familiar opening chords of “I’ve Got a Feeling” filled the arena, a hush fell over the crowd. Then, Lennon’s voice — isolated and restored by filmmaker Peter Jackson during the making of The Beatles: Get Back documentary — rang out across the speakers. His image appeared on the giant screen behind Paul, singing in perfect harmony with his old bandmate. For a few moments, it felt as if The Beatles were back together again.
McCartney later shared that Jackson had texted him with the idea: “We can isolate John’s vocals, and he can sing with you.” Paul’s response was instant — “Oh yeah!” What followed was one of the most moving performances of McCartney’s career.
The rest of the night was a masterclass in legacy and love. Paul led fans through decades of music — Beatles hits, Wings favorites, and solo gems — weaving in heartfelt tributes along the way. During “Here Today,” his emotional ode to Lennon, McCartney spoke of the regret of things left unsaid, a reminder that even legends carry the weight of loss.
Then came another tender moment: “Something,” played on a ukulele that George Harrison had once given him. McCartney smiled softly as the audience joined in, their voices lifting the melody — a living tribute to friendship, creativity, and the passage of time.
“Well, we said we’d come back — and we got back,” McCartney told the Spokane crowd, pausing to take in the roaring applause. “I’m going to take a moment for myself to drink it all in.”
It was his first tour since 2019 — a long-awaited return after the pandemic postponed his plans. In the years between, McCartney recorded McCartney III on his own, layering every instrument himself, then later revisited it with artists like Beck and Phoebe Bridgers for McCartney III Imagined.
That night in Spokane, it wasn’t just music — it was memory, magic, and proof that the spirit of The Beatles still lives on. Lennon’s voice. Harrison’s ukulele. McCartney’s heart.
A moment where the past met the present — and for a few minutes, love really was all you needed.
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