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Gander aiming to reel in Stones show

Local politicians in Gander are hoping they can persuade the Rolling Stones to launch the North American leg of their current tour in their community.
Kevin O'Brien, who represents Gander district in the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature, is leading a committee trying to bring the Stones to town.
O'Brien said he was contacted a month ago by promoters. He said they were looking for a unique way to kick off the Stones' North American tour.
"The Stones, I guess, being the oldest band in the world said to the promoters, 'Can you give us a gig that is completely different?'" said O'Brien.
"The promoter was looking for something different, and we seized on the opportunity."
The Gander committee made a successful presentation to the promoters, but so far has been unable to find a date that will fit the band's schedule.
An original date of Sept. 15 was ruled out because some band members had personal commitments. A second date, of Sept. 20, was nixed because it is too close to planned concert dates in the U.S.
"So now we run into all kinds of logistic problems [with regard] to moving the staging from Gander to the new site," O'Brien said.
O'Brien said his committee is now working on finding another way to have the Stones play in Gander.

Rolling Stones not coming to Gander this year: O’Brien

By BRIAN SCOTT
The Beacon

Don’t expect the Rolling Stones to roll into Gander this year.

Gander MHA Kevin O’Brien told The Beacon last week, although he is still making a few last-ditch efforts to bring the band to this part of the province, it doesn’t look like the legendary rock band will be coming to the town this year, as hoped.

Mr. O’Brien said he was optimistic on Monday the band would be making an appearance this fall, but negotiations fell through a day later.

In the end, due to the band members’ schedules and conflicting dates with some major American cities trying to host the concert and schedule home games for their professional sports teams, the Rolling Stones could not commit to a date in Gander.

“We couldn’t work it out,” said Mr. O’Brien.

“Most of their venues are in stadiums so, with the startup of the NFL and the NBA and various other things, they ran into logistic problems all the way along, including Boston and New York, which are two big venues.”

The tentative date of the concert would have been Sept. 15. Schedule a concert beyond that and you run the risk of poor weather, said Mr. O’Brien.

The concert would have been held on Gander International Airport property. But other than providing background information to the promoter, the airport’s role in bringing the band to Gander was minimal, according to airport authority president and CEO Gary Vey.

Too bad it won't be happening - that sounds kinda interesting and different...

Keep trying Mr O'Brien...It would be a HUGE gig in the best Provence in Canada!

did u hear about the newfie who heard the stones where coming?

oh those crazy newfies, when will they learn?

lol just kidding.

I'd say there's a better chance of them playing the 'Neverland' Ranch at this point.

maybe the band is boycotting newfoundland/labrador because of the massive seal clubbing they're doing right now. the clubbers would make more money off stones tourism than they do off clubbing seals.