“Hey Jude.” “Yesterday.” “Live and Let Die.” Chances are you have heard at least one of these songs before. Even if you have not, the influence of their creator, Sir Paul McCartney, a prominent solo artist and former member of The Beatles, can be heard in much of today’s modern music. Many artists, ranging from Taylor Swift to the Foo Fighters, have cited McCartney as a major inspiration. The songwriting techniques he used assisted multitudes in shaping the sound of modern pop and rock, and, according to Brittanica, he “helped lift popular music from its origins in the entertainment business and transform it into a creative, highly commercial art form.” Now, decades after he first stepped into the music scene, McCartney still performs live, bringing his music to audiences spanning the United States.

McCartney performed at Minnesota’s US Bank Stadium on October 17th, captivating a crowd of multiple generations. Now, at the age of 83, McCartney continues to write and perform music with the same vigor that made him a musical legend, leading us to ask the question: Does he still have the magic that led him to write such iconic songs?

When we arrived, the stadium was packed; it was filled wall to wall with people. It was definitely a large event for fans of not only rock music but also every kind of musical genre you can imagine. They all appeared eager to hear what they believed was a living legend, and the feeling made itself known. An air of anticipation hung over the crowd, which wove its way into the ticket lines and followed us all the way to our seats in the back of the stadium. Early-order tickets had been in high demand. This was a testament to McCartney’s continued popularity and the lengths fans will go to see him live. We ended up spending a staggering $357 on two nosebleed seats, though cheaper options were available closer to showtime.

As time went on the crowd atmosphere became increasingly electrified. It was truly reactive; everybody appeared to be engaged and focused on having a good time: an ideal concert crowd. As the show began an uproar of cheers emanated from them, filling the stadium and rumbling across the sea of waiting fans. In wake of this, McCartney, accompanied by fanfare from his band, walked out on stage, resulting in the fervor of the crowd to reach its crescendo. For the next three hours that feeling of engagement did not diminish, along with McCartney’s vitality. The entire night he appeared energetic and joyful, grateful to be performing for so many people. There was not a single intermission during the entire show, with songs being played nearly back to back, which is extremely impressive for a musician his age.

To extend this, he and his band played incredibly well, perfecting the numbers that he is known for. Unfortunately, this was hindered due to the stadium’s lackluster sound mixing. At times, vocals were muffled and the bass would cut in and out. Yet these minor technical hiccups barely detracted from the overall experience. The incredible live music combined with the crowd’s infectious energy along McCartney’s powerful stage presence more than compensated for the technical shortcomings of the show. Even with underwhelming, and at times hard to see, screen visuals, the essence of the concert, which was the music, shone through, making the night unforgettable.

The setlist was diverse, mixing new and old songs from his solo career with songs from his time with The Beatles and Wings. Overall, the selection was great, although almost all the Wings songs played were only from one album and not all the songs flowed well into each other, as with “Now and Then,” switching into “Lady Madonna,” where a pause would have been ideal. Even though over 35 songs were played over the duration of the show, the concert stayed fresh and did not drag on with the positive crowd atmosphere that contributed to its liveliness.

Overall the crowd atmosphere was invigorating, the musicianship of McCartney and his band impeccable, the setlist thoughtfully crafted, and McCartney’s stage presence was as captivating as ever. These all culminated in not only an incredible show but an unforgettable experience. Although tickets were expensive, a few abrupt transitions were present, and there were minor technical difficulties when it came to screens and sound mixing, these small imperfections barely made a scratch in the overall experience. After the concert was over, we left with no regrets. So to answer the question: Does McCartney still have the magic that led him to write such iconic songs? We would have to say yes, yes he does.