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Big Bang Theory

(August 11, 2005) -- Last night at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, the Stones gave a thousand lucky fans a sneak peek at their upcoming tour. They ran through 14 songs, including staples like "Brown Sugar" and "Jumping Jack Flash," but also some surprises. In addition to "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "She's So Cold," they offered covers of Otis Redding's "Mr. Pitiful" and Bob Marley & Peter Tosh's "Get Up Stand Up." They also debuted a handful of songs from their upcoming album, "A Bigger Bang."

The one thousand fans paid 10 bucks each for the privilege. Most of them had played a hunch and had camped out in front of the venue for over 24 hours, despite the oppressive heat. Tickets went on sale yesterday morning.

The show lasted about 75 minutes and featured Mick playing slide guitar on one of the new songs, before leading an audience sing-along during "Get Up Stand Up." The show ended on a touching note, with Charlie taking a bow onstage all by himself.

The Stones have been conducting rehearsals at Toronto's Greenwood College since mid-July. So far, they've tested sixty-or-so songs, including chestnuts like "Loving Cup," "Sister Morphine," and "Hang Fire." Their rehearsals will likely switch to another location soon.

Their tour officially launches ten days from now, on August 21, at Boston's Fenway Park. From there, they'll hit three dozen-or-so cities before the year is out. Their 2005 itinerary is listed below. Following the Christmas break, the Stones will return to New York, Chicago, and Boston, to play arenas and possibly theatres. (Confirmed for January: Madison Square Garden on the 20th, Chicago's United Center on the 23rd, Boston's Fleet Center TBA, with more to come.)

"A Bigger Bang" will hit stores on September 6. (A day earlier in Europe.) It'll contain sixteen tracks, of which four were performed at last night's gig: The kick-ass rockers, "Rough Justice" and "Oh No Not You Again," the bluesy "Back Of My Hand," and Keith's contribution, "Infamy." (Keith also does another one on the disc, a honky tonk ballad called "The Place Is Empty.") "Rough Justice," which opened last night's concert, has already been generating radio airplay, while "Oh No Not You Again" was previously performed at the band's press conference in New York last May (photo above). But the track that's been garnering the most pre-release attention is "Sweet Neo Con," believed to be an indictment of the Bush administration. The Stones chose the title "A Bigger Bang" to reflect their fascination with the origin of the universe (an event they're rumored to have witnessed firsthand).

It's no longer a joke to say you'll need to mortgage your house to get good Stones seats. In addition to ticket prices that reach $480 apiece (face value!), the Stones are being sponsored by Ameriquest, whose TV commercials claim they can help you finance your home and get you good Stones tickets all at the same time. (But then, they're also being investigated by various attorneys general for predatory lending practices.)

If this is the Stones' last go-round -- and no one is saying it is -- they're intent on going out with a bigger bang instead of a whimper. You can see for yourself at one of the venues listed below. Check the Stones' official web site if you still need (and can afford) a ticket.

2005 Tour Itinerary

Aug. 21 -- Boston, MA -- Fenway Park
Aug. 23 -- Boston, MA -- Fenway Park
Aug. 26 -- Hartford, CT -- Rentschler Stadium
Aug. 28 -- Ottawa, ON -- Frank Clair Stadium
Aug. 31 -- Detroit, MI -- Comerica Park

Sept. 03 -- Moncton, NB -- Magnetic Hill
Sept. 06 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Xcel Energy Center
Sept. 08 -- Milwaukee, WI -- Bradley Center
Sept. 10 -- Chicago, IL -- Soldier Field
Sept. 13 -- New York, NY -- Madison Square Garden
Sept. 15 -- E. Rutherford, NJ -- Giants Stadium
Sept. 17 -- Albany, NY -- Pepsi Arena
Sept. 24 -- Columbus, OH -- Nationwide Arena
Sept. 26 -- Toronto, ON -- Rogers Centre
Sept. 28 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- PNC Park

Oct. 01 -- Hershey, PA -- Hersheypark Stadium
Oct. 03 -- Washington, DC -- MCI Center
Oct. 06 -- Charlottesville, VA -- Scott Stadium
Oct. 08 -- Durham, NC -- Wade Stadium
Oct. 10 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Wachovia Center
Oct. 12 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Wachovia Center
Oct. 15 -- Atlanta, GA -- Philips Arena
Oct. 17 -- Miami, FL -- American Airlines Arena
Oct. 19 -- Tampa, FL -- St. Pete Times Forum
Oct. 21 -- Charlotte, NC -- Charlotte New Arena
Oct. 28 -- Calgary, AB -- Pengrowth Saddledome
Oct. 30 -- Seattle, WA -- Key Arena

Nov. 01 -- Portland, OR -- Rose Garden
Nov. 04 -- Anaheim, CA -- Angels Stadium
Nov. 06 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Hollywood Bowl
Nov. 08 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Hollywood Bowl
Nov. 11 -- San Diego, CA -- Petco Park
Nov. 13 -- San Francisco, CA -- SBC Park
Nov. 15 -- San Francisco, CA -- SBC Park
Nov. 18 -- Las Vegas, NV -- MGM Grand Arena
Nov. 20 -- Fresno, CA -- Save Mart Center
Nov. 22 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- Delta Center
Nov. 24 -- Denver, CO -- Pepsi Center
Nov. 27 -- Phoenix, AZ -- Glendale Arena
Nov. 29 -- Dallas, TX -- American Airlines Center

Dec. 01 -- Houston, TX -- Toyota Center

Stay tuned to this page. And for more timely updates (daily set lists, etc.), check in with pianist Chuck Leavell's diary and with fan forums like Shidoobee, It's Only Rock 'N' Roll, Rocks Off, and Stones Planet.

Cool review. Thanx