A Comprehensive Guide to the Paul McCartney One on One Tour

The Paul McCartney One on One tour was a massive global concert series that ran from April 2016 through December 2017. Spanning 78 shows across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, the tour featured a redesigned production and a career-spanning setlist of nearly 40 songs per night.

Since its conclusion, the One on One tour has been recognized as one of the most significant late-career achievements for the former Beatle. It served as a bridge between his long-running "Out There" tour and the subsequent "Freshen Up" tour. By 2026, music historians and fans alike look back at this specific window of time as the period where McCartney’s live production reached a new peak of technical sophistication while maintaining the intimate, "one on one" connection with the audience that gave the tour its name.

The Concept and Vision Behind "One on One"

The announcement of the One on One tour in early 2016 came as a surprise to many who expected McCartney to take a hiatus following the massive "Out There" trek. The branding of the tour was intentional; despite playing in massive stadiums and arenas that held tens of thousands of people, McCartney aimed to create a show that felt personal.

The philosophy behind the tour was to leverage cutting-edge audio and visual technology to ensure that the fan in the very last row felt the same energy and connection as those in the front row. This was achieved through a combination of massive high-definition LED screens, a "Red Square" stage design that allowed for dynamic lighting, and a sound system tuned specifically for the acoustics of each individual venue.

The tour also marked a shift in his setlist strategy. While McCartney has always performed his hits, the One on One tour saw the reintroduction of several deep cuts and historical firsts that hadn't been performed in decades, or in some cases, ever before in a solo capacity.

Global Itinerary and Tour Legs

The tour was organized into several distinct legs, allowing McCartney and his long-time touring band to cover vast geographical distances while maintaining a high level of performance energy.

The Initial 2016 North American and European Runs

The tour kicked off on April 13, 2016, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. This initial leg set the tone for the rest of the year, focusing on mid-sized markets before heading to Europe. The European leg included high-profile performances at festivals such as Rock Werchter and a massive home-turf show at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

The 2017 Expansion and Oceania Finale

As the tour progressed into 2017, it expanded into South America and Asia, including a highly publicized return to the Tokyo Dome. One of the most notable aspects of the 2017 run was the "Freshen Up" transition, but technically the One on One branding remained through the final show on December 16, 2017, at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. This finale marked his first visit to Australia and New Zealand in nearly 25 years, making it a historic conclusion to the tour cycle.

Analyzing the One on One Setlist

The most significant aspect of the One on One tour for many fans was the setlist evolution. McCartney’s shows are famously long, often exceeding three hours, and this tour was no exception.

Historical Debuts and Rarities

The tour opening in Fresno featured a massive surprise: the first-ever solo performance of "A Hard Day's Night." This song had not been performed by any Beatle since the band stopped touring in 1966. Other notable additions included:

• "Love Me Do": Performed as a tribute to the late Sir George Martin, featuring McCartney on harmonica.
• "In Spite of All the Danger": A rare track from the pre-Beatles Quarrymen era, which McCartney used to tell the story of the band’s origins.
• "The Fool on the Hill": Returning to the set for the first time since the early 2000s.
• "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!": A psychedelic masterpiece that showcased the tour’s visual capabilities.

Wings and Solo Material

While The Beatles' catalog formed the backbone of the show, McCartney ensured his solo career and his time with Wings were well-represented. Hits like "Band on the Run," "Jet," and "Live and Let Die" remained staples, the latter involving a pyrotechnic display that became a signature of the One on One experience. He also included newer material from his album New, such as "Queenie Eye" and the title track, proving his continued relevance as a contemporary songwriter.

Technical Specifications and Production Design

The "technical depth" of the One on One tour was a major talking point among industry professionals. The production was designed to be modular, fitting into both indoor arenas and outdoor stadiums without losing visual impact.

Visual Effects and Screen Technology

The stage featured two massive vertical LED screens on the sides and a wrap-around backdrop. These screens didn't just show the performance; they utilized real-time filters and pre-recorded archival footage to create a multi-layered narrative. For "Blackbird," McCartney was elevated 20 feet into the air on a rising platform that featured LED displays on all four sides, creating the illusion of him floating above a shifting landscape of birds and light.

Audio Engineering

The tour utilized a state-of-the-art L-Acoustics K1/K2 line array system. Given McCartney’s age and the vocal demands of a three-hour show, the sound mix was carefully balanced to preserve the clarity of his voice against the power of the drums and electric guitars. The use of "silent" stages for certain segments allowed for a cleaner mix, especially during the acoustic "front-of-stage" portion of the show.

The Touring Band: A Decade of Synergy

One of the reasons the One on One tour was so successful was the stability of the backing band. By 2016, this lineup had been together longer than The Beatles or Wings.

1. Paul "Wix" Wickens (Musical Director/Keyboards): The anchor of the band since 1989, Wickens handled the complex arrangements of songs like "Penny Lane" and "A Day in the Life."
2. Rusty Anderson (Lead Guitar): Provided the rock-and-roll edge required for tracks like "Helter Skelter."
3. Brian Ray (Rhythm Guitar/Bass): Alternated with McCartney on bass duties, allowing Paul to move to the piano or acoustic guitar.
4. Abe Laboriel Jr. (Drums/Vocals): Perhaps the most vital energy source of the band, his powerful drumming and high-tenor backing vocals allowed the band to recreate the rich harmonies of The Beatles' original recordings.

Notable Performance Statistics

To understand the scale of the One on One tour, it is helpful to look at the metrics of the different legs and the breadth of the material performed.

Impact and Legacy in 2026

As we evaluate this tour from the perspective of 2026, its legacy is defined by its endurance. The One on One tour proved that a performer in their 70s could not only maintain a rigorous global schedule but also innovate visually and musically.

It was during this tour that McCartney solidified his "soundcheck" experience as a separate, highly sought-after event for superfans, where he would perform an additional hour of songs not included in the main set. This period also saw McCartney embrace his history more comfortably than ever before, seamlessly blending the "mop-top" era, the experimental 70s, and his 21st-century output into a single, cohesive narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the significance of the "One on One" tour name?

The name was chosen to signify the personal connection Paul McCartney wanted to establish with each audience member. Despite the massive scale of stadium venues, the production used screens, lighting, and stage positioning to create an intimate atmosphere, as if he were performing for each person individually.

How did the setlist differ from his previous tours?

While the "Out There" tour focused heavily on the New album, One on One leaned into historical rarities. Most notably, it marked the first time McCartney performed "A Hard Day's Night" as a solo artist. It also reintroduced "Love Me Do" and "The Fool on the Hill," providing a broader retrospective of his career with The Beatles and Wings.

Who were the band members on the One on One tour?

McCartney was joined by his long-term touring band: Rusty Anderson on lead guitar, Brian Ray on rhythm guitar and bass, Paul "Wix" Wickens on keyboards and as musical director, and Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums. This lineup has remained consistent for over two decades.

How long did a typical One on One concert last?

A standard show on this tour lasted approximately three hours. McCartney typically performed between 38 and 40 songs, covering his work with The Beatles, Wings, and his solo career, along with a few covers and his latest contemporary releases.

Did the tour include any guest appearances?

Yes, the tour featured several notable guests depending on the location. One of the most famous occurred at the O2 Arena in London, where he was joined on stage by Ringo Starr and Ronnie Wood for a performance of "Get Back," a moment that went viral globally and remains a highlight of his touring history.

Practical Recommendations for Fans and Historians

For those looking to experience the One on One tour retrospectively, there are several high-quality resources available. While a formal tour film was not released in the traditional sense, McCartney’s official YouTube channel and various television broadcasts (such as the Desert Trip festival footage) provide professional-grade captures of the production.

If you are researching the technical aspects of the tour, industry publications like Live Design and Projection, Lights and Staging News (PLSN) offer in-depth interviews with the tour's creative directors and engineers. These archives detail the specific hardware and software used to sync the massive LED walls with the live musical performance, providing a blueprint for modern stadium rock production.