Paul McCartney plays to sold-out Isleta Amphitheater

Oct. 8—Rock icon Paul McCartney performed in Albuquerque for the first time in a sold-out Isleta Amphitheater on Tuesday night as part of his “Got Back” tour.

The 15,000 capacity amphitheater was filled from the pit to the lawn, packed with concertgoers from every generation excited to see the Beatles and Wings frontman. Some concertgoers were seeing McCartney for the first time, and for others, such as Pacifica Casares-Chehy, it was the ninth.

Casares-Chehy said she is drawn to his concerts because they are hours of fun.

“Multiple generations are able to enjoy it,” Casares-Chehy said, “and it’s something that they’re able to share time and time again.”

McCartney performed for two hours, followed by a 30-minute encore, with a set list that included music from the Beatles, Wings and solo pieces.

Amanda Redeker and Debra Evans, who have seen the music legend multiple times, traveled from Dallas to see McCartney. The duo said they were impressed with how many Wings songs he played, as well as his performance of “Now and Then,” also known as the last Beatles song.

Eddie Weber drove three hours to see the 83-year-old McCartney and said there wasn’t any particular song he wanted him to play. He said, “It don’t matter what he’s gonna play, as long as he plays.”

“I grew up with the Beatles, obviously, ’60s, ’70s, and it seems like it might be the last chance to see one of them,” Weber said.

McCartney last played in New Mexico in 1993 at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces. Many concertgoers, like John Hardberger, said it was great to see him in the state.

“I think it’s pretty special to see him somewhere that he’s not performed before,” Hardberger said. “And you never know, you might not get another chance to see him.”

During the concert, McCartney said, “It’s great to be here, haven’t been here in a long time and we love New Mexico.”

He performed alongside the Hot City Horns trio and his own band, featuring instruments ranging from a harmonica to a baby grand piano.

The performance also featured visuals effects including the stage lifting into the air during “Blackbird,” as well as video and photos of the Beatles, images of McCartney and his family, laser light shows and pyrotechnics during “Live and Let Die.”

Hardberger had seen McCartney at Lollapalooza in 2015. He brought his mom to Isleta and said it made seeing McCartney so much more special.

Casares-Chehy said the crowd’s energy throughout the show made it like she was seeing McCartney for the first time.

“From beginning to end, he puts on an amazing concert. And it’s more than just a concert and singing,” Casares-Chehy said. “It is like entertainment. It is just incredible. It was just a wonderful thing for Albuquerque.”