You Gave Me The Answer - The 2024 'Got Back' Tour

15 shows, 8 countries, 1 unforgettable show… The Got Back tour has stormed through Latin America over the course of 7 weeks, starting in Montevideo, Uruguay on 1st October and ending at Corona Capital festival in Mexico City on 17th November. But don’t worry, it’s not over yet – Paul and the band will make a triumphant return to Europe in December, with shows in Paris, Madrid, Manchester and London!

The energy at the shows has been nothing short of incredible, with fans crowding outside hotels, creating dance routines, holding up signs as part of fan projects, and of course singing and dancing along with a vigour that makes the ground shake. One particular highlight was the show at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the audience surprised Paul with a ‘welcome back’ sign in the upper tier sections, and banners bearing the Argentina flag inside a heart in the front section during ‘Hey Jude’. 

Backstage at the first of those amazing Buenos Aires shows, we found a quiet moment to catch up with Paul, and ask him how it’s all been going…. 

PaulMcCartney.com: Are you enjoying being out on tour again?

Paul: Yes! It’s always exciting, mainly because of the fans - Latin American audiences are super cool.

PM.com: They are! And you’ve done a few ‘meet and greets’ with competition winners on this leg - how does it feel to get close and personal with fans and hear their stories?

Paul: It’s great because they are always super pleased to see me, and they each have an interesting story. For example, one guy today told me he just got married, and another fan mentioned she is getting married to someone she met at my show soon which is so lovely to hear. I love hearing the little personal anecdotes that get thrown in.

PM.com: Do you get an opportunity to visit places around the cities when you visit?

Paul: Not as much as we’d like, but Nancy and I do occasionally go for a bike ride. We went for one yesterday, and I went the day before as well. You get to see some nice parks – there are some beautiful ones in Buenos Aires! – and on the way to the park you see a few famous buildings and things. It’s good, it’s all part of enjoying it. I like to pretend I’m on holiday!

PM.com: Some of the crew have been with you for a really long time – it’s not unusual to find someone backstage who worked on the legendary Paul McCartney World Tour, or who joined the team way back in the Wings days! How would you describe the environment behind-the-scenes?

Paul: It’s like having a professional family. There’s a really good atmosphere because we know each other, so it really is like being reunited with your nearest and dearest. But also, they’re so good at their jobs! I often liken them to a Formula 1 racing team; they are like highly skilled mechanics.

PM.com: This question is from Joan on Facebook: Which song on your current setlist continues to charge you up, even though you’ve performed it many times?

Paul: I like ‘Come on to Me’, that’s always good fun. I also like ‘hey Jude’ because everyone in the crowd seems to be singing it, so it brings everyone together in the spirit of peace and love. Ringo would be happy with that response!

PM.com: This question is from Michael on Facebook: You’re often asked about any pre-show rituals you might have, but I wonder if you have a post-show routine or habit to round off the energy from a performance?

Paul: Oh yeah definitely. Most of the time we get on the bus immediately, and before we change back into our ‘day clothes’ I have a margarita to drink, which is always very welcome! And I have a cheese and pickle sandwich with the English type of pickle: Branston’s pickle. Americans would think I mean a dill pickle, but no! Those are the two things that are always there, and that I look forward to. It means we’ve done the show and we’re off!

And if you want to read more about Paul’s culinary choices on tour, check out the Q&A he did for Meat Free Monday over on their website!

Are you seeing Paul at any of his upcoming tour dates? Or were you been lucky enough to see him on the Latin American tour? Even if you’re just following along with the tour updates from home, you can keep in the loop online: joining the Got Back tour Instagram Broadcast channel and of course connecting with other fans on the Official Facebook Group. Plus, you can relive the tour setlist by listening to the playlist on Spotify. We’re so glad we ‘got back’!