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- Veteran rocker headlines SNL amid season finale buzz
- Quiet reflection first: an intimate performance on Weekend Update
- Electric momentum: ‘Band on the Run’ stirs the crowd
- Late-night surprise: a bonus third track and a historical nod
- Setlist highlights and tonight’s collaborators
- Context: new album and what’s next for McCartney
Paul McCartney surprised Saturday Night Live viewers with a lively, three-song return to Studio 8H, blending nostalgia and new material as he teases a busy spring ahead.
Veteran rocker headlines SNL amid season finale buzz
McCartney made his fifth on-camera appearance on the sketch show. It was his first time billed as musical guest in 13 years.
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He closed out the episode that featured Will Ferrell as host. The pairing brought a mix of comedy and musical star power.
Quiet reflection first: an intimate performance on Weekend Update
Acoustic staging and personal visuals
He opened with a plaintive new song that looked back to his Liverpool roots. A string of childhood photos played behind him.
Chad Smith supplied percussion on maracas, adding a playful connection to Ferrell’s frequent RHCP impersonation.
The arrangement was sparse and earnest. McCartney played acoustic guitar and sang with familiar tenderness.
Electric momentum: ‘Band on the Run’ stirs the crowd
For his second number he shifted gears. The tempo rose and the mood grew celebratory.
He removed his jacket and picked up the bass. The audience clapped in time and the energy climbed.
This Wings-era favorite showcased McCartney’s ability to move between reflective and raucous in one set.
Late-night surprise: a bonus third track and a historical nod
After the usual two-song run, McCartney returned for a surprise third performance. The encore was both upbeat and funky.
The choice echoed a moment from his past: he first previewed the same tune on SNL in 1980. That history made the encore feel full-circle.
Setlist highlights and tonight’s collaborators
- Days We Left Behind — acoustic, visual montage, maracas by Chad Smith.
- Band on the Run — electric, bass-driven, crowd clapping along.
- Coming Up — surprise encore, upbeat and danceable.
The drummer spot alternated between percussive color and full-kit playing, depending on the song.
Context: new album and what’s next for McCartney
McCartney is promoting a forthcoming album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, due in a few weeks.
The SNL appearance arrives at the start of a busy release cycle. It doubles as promotion and a reminder of his lasting stage presence.
