Who Is Paul McCartney Touring With

Current Core Touring Musicians as of 2024–2025

Paul McCartney’s touring lineup varies by tour cycle, but across his recent residency and ongoing dates he typically performs with a core band plus a rhythm section that supports both classic Beatles material and his solo catalog. The consistent nucleus includes longtime collaborators on keys, drums, bass, and guitars, while additional musicians contribute horns, backing vocals, and pedal steel as needed. Below is a breakdown of the most frequently appearing musicians on recent tours, including dates, instruments, and roles.

Note that guest artists and rotating horn sections appear frequently, especially on summer festival dates, making each show slightly different even within a single tour.

Touring Eras and Key Collaborators by Decade

Over five decades, McCartney has cycled through different touring bands while retaining a small core of trusted musicians. In the 1970s, Wings toured with a fluid lineup that included Denny Laine, Linda McCartney, and session players. The post‑Wings era through the 2000s saw the formation of a more stable band around Brian Ray and Rusty Anderson. Recent years have emphasized continuity, with Abe Laboriel Jr. and Paul "Wix" Wickens providing rhythmic and harmonic stability across continents. Below is a quick reference to signature touring lineups by era.

• 1971–1973: Denny Laine, Linda McCartney, Henry McCullough, Jimmy McCulloch
• 1989–1990: Paul "Wix" Wickens, Brian Ray, Abe Laboriel Jr., Holly Johnson
• 2004–2005: Core trio of Ray, Wickens, Laboriel with rotating guitarists
• 2013–2014: Rusty Anderson joins; Out There! tour establishes modern core
• 2016–2023: Consistent quartet of Anderson, Ray, Laboriel, Wickens with rotating backing vocalists

Set List and Musical Roles in the Current Touring Context

Knowing who Paul McCartney is touring with becomes clearer when you see how those musicians shape the set list. The core quartet typically anchors the rhythm section, allowing McCartney to move fluidly between bass, piano, and guitar while inviting extended instrumental breaks. Horn players and backing vocalists are added for specific songs—such as the full brass for "Band on the Run" or choir accents on "Maybe I’m Amazed"—but the essential textures rely on the aforementioned quartet. This structure supports both faithful renditions of Beatles classics and deeper cuts from his solo albums.

Rhythm Section Foundation

Laboriel (drums) and Wickens (keyboards) provide the primary groove, while Ray and Anderson handle guitar harmonies and occasional lead lines. This setup balances power and nuance, enabling seamless transitions from the propulsive drive of "Helter Skelter" to the melodic restraint of "Here Today." The rhythm section also cues McCartney during live improvisation, giving him room to stretch without losing cohesion.

Guest Artists and Festival Variability

On high‑profile festival dates, producers often request expanded lineups that can include additional guitarists, a horn section, and backup singers. These guests are not part of the regular touring roster but are sourced from session musicians and local artists to meet venue requirements. Consequently, the answer to who Paul McCartney is touring with can differ between a theater residency and an open‑air festival, even within the same city.

Practical Implications for Fans and Attendees

For concert‑goers, recognizing the core touring members helps set expectations. If you attend a standard arena or theater show, you will likely hear the quartet-driven arrangements that have defined McCartney’s recent tours. Festival performances may feature augmented bands, orchestral elements, or surprise cameos, altering the sound while preserving the set list’s backbone. Check the specific tour date’s billing when possible, as opening acts and guest appearances can shift from night to night.

Verification and Sourcing Approach

Information in this overview is drawn from official tour programs, reputable music press, set list archives, and direct tour date pages when available. Discrepancies sometimes appear between festival and theater lineups, and where reliable confirmation is lacking, the article notes uncertainty. Readers seeking the most current roster for a specific date should consult the official tour page or the venue’s production notes, which list the exact musicians scheduled for that night.

Summary of Key Touring Personnel

Across his recent and upcoming tours, Paul McCartney typically performs alongside a compact, highly skilled roster anchored by Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, Paul "Wix" Wickens, and Abe Laboriel Jr. This core is occasionally augmented by backing vocalists, horn players, and guest artists depending on venue size and production demands. Understanding these roles offers a durable framework for interpreting set lists and appreciating how McCartney’s live shows balance legacy hits with evolving arrangements.

By focusing on verifiable roles and recurring collaborators, this overview remains useful across multiple tour cycles. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to his live work, knowing who is typically on stage with Paul McCartney clarifies what to expect and deepens the listening experience.

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