On 13 April 2016, Paul McCartney launched his One On One Tour with an opening night performance at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

The show marked the beginning of a major global tour spanning 77 dates across multiple continents, and was attended by 11,976 fans. As an opening night, it set the structural and musical blueprint for the entire tour.

Tour debut and setlist innovations

The Fresno performance was notable for several unexpected inclusions and significant live debuts, reinforcing McCartney’s ongoing willingness to revisit and reinterpret his catalogue.

Most significantly, he performed A Hard Day’s Night for the first time as a solo artist—having last played it with The Beatles on 31 August 1965.

Additional revived or rarely performed Beatles tracks included:

• I’ve Got A Feeling
• Here, There And Everywhere
• You Won’t See Me
• The Fool On The Hill

McCartney also performed In Spite Of All The Danger, a song dating back to his Quarrymen era, further expanding the historical scope of the set.

Tribute to George Martin

A key emotional moment came with a performance of Love Me Do, dedicated to Beatles producer George Martin, who had died just five days earlier on 8 April 2016.

This marked the first time McCartney had performed the song live as a solo artist, adding historical and emotional weight to the occasion.

Band line-up

• Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, guitar, piano
• Paul “Wix” Wickens – keyboards, guitar, vocals
• Brian Ray – guitar, bass, vocals
• Rusty Anderson – guitar, vocals
• Abe Laboriel Jr – drums, vocals

Full concert setlist

• A Hard Day’s Night
• Save Us
• Can’t Buy Me Love
• Letting Go
• Temporary Secretary
• Let Me Roll It
• I’ve Got A Feeling
• My Valentine
• Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five
• Here, There And Everywhere
• Maybe I’m Amazed
• We Can Work It Out
• In Spite Of All The Danger
• You Won’t See Me
• Love Me Do
• And I Love Her
• Blackbird
• Here Today
• Queenie Eye
• New
• The Fool On The Hill
• Lady Madonna
• FourFiveSeconds
• Eleanor Rigby
• Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!
• Something
• Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
• Band On The Run
• Back In The USSR
• Let It Be
• Live And Let Die
• Hey Jude
• Yesterday
• Hi, Hi, Hi
• Birthday
• Golden Slumbers
• Carry That Weight
• The End

Tour chronology (April–June 2016 highlights)

• 13 April – Fresno (Save Mart Center)
• 15 April – Portland (Moda Center)
• 17 April – Seattle (KeyArena)
• 19–20 April – Vancouver (Rogers Arena)
• 30 April – North Little Rock (Verizon Arena)
• 2–5 May – Sioux Falls / Minneapolis
• 15–19 May – Argentina (Córdoba / La Plata)
• 28 May – Düsseldorf (Esprit Arena)
• 30 May – Paris (AccorHotels Arena)
• 2 June – Madrid (Estadio Vicente Calderón)

The Fresno concert established the evolving setlist structure that would be adapted and expanded throughout the tour’s global run.

Legacy of the opening night

The Fresno show is widely regarded as one of McCartney’s most dynamic tour openings, combining deep cuts, major hits, and historical nods across his entire career.

Its blend of experimentation and familiarity defined the One On One Tour, which would continue through 2017 with further refinements but largely retain the Fresno framework.

Location

Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, USA

FAQ

When did the One On One Tour begin?

It began on 13 April 2016 in Fresno, California.

What was the biggest surprise in the setlist?

The debut solo performance of A Hard Day’s Night was a major highlight.

Why was Love Me Do performed?

It was played as a tribute to producer George Martin following his death.

How long did the tour last?

The One On One Tour ran from April 2016 to December 2017, spanning 77 shows.