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piet
Hi,

has anybody already mentioned the massive ticket upgrades that were made for this show?

I can’t remember having read about this in this thread, so this is was happened to us:

My friend and I had tickets for general admission early entry. This meant we could enter the venue at 6.30 as opposed to regular ticket holders who were let in at 7.30. We joined our queue – fire pit and golden circle ticket holders had to enter through a different gate - at about 6.10 with about a hundred people already before us.

At 6.30 the gates were opened and we moved forward. There was absolutely no rush and no pushing. Our tickets were checked by security and then, a few steps further on, without further explanation, wristbands were attached to our arms.

I was surprised as this is not a common practise for general admission, until walking into the venue I noticed that the wristbands were titled “golden circle”. We continued to the front of the general admission area where we saw a small entrance to the golden circle. We showed our band to the security guys who waved us through. The area was still almost empty so we coüld easily find a place almost next to the ramp and right up at the barrier separating us from the fire pit.

So in essence we were upgraded not only to golden circle but to golden circle early entry – tickets that had originally cost more than three times as much as what we had paid. I am pretty certain that the majority with early entry tickets were upgraded in that way.

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zgubi
here is the video summary put together by du with the VIP experience

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piet
So in essence we were upgraded not only to golden circle but to golden circle early entry

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DoomandGloom

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bv
I was in the fire pit for the first half of the show. As the stage is at least 3 meters high (10 feet), and even higher in the middle as it is extending into the crowd, all I saw was the heads of Charlie, Keith, all of Ronnie because I was on his side, and all of Mick, because he was all over. I left the fire pit during the show and went into the middle of the crowd for a much better view. I don't know why they charge a high price for the fire pit when it is in fact sort of obstructed view. I have rarely seen such a high stage floor.

My guess, the stage was high and distant because there is more of a security risk and terrorism threat to the band there than any other place they'll play.

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Brstonesfan
These shows, truthfully since ABB, are not for die hards. Just accept
that they are pure nostalgia and don't expect too many surprises. Staples show
Last year was about as good as it gets.

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DoomandGloom
My guess, the stage was high and distant because there is more of a security risk and terrorism threat to the band there than any other place they'll play.

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emotionalbarbecue
I am amazed by the voice improvement of Mick...

I have not heard him singing like that for years.

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zgubi
I am still stunned after the show, and in an incredible high from an amazing experience with the Stones and Abu Dhabi alltogether.

I just made it home from Abu Dhabi and will be leaving again in 3 weeks for Australia. I'm putting together a complete report either later today or tomorrow.

However here is the video summary put together by du with the VIP experience, you can see me in the brown jacket.





Safe travels to everyone going to Tokyo or back home!

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emotionalbarbecue
I am astonished by the voice improvement of Mick...

I have not heard him singing like that for years.

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rollingon

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Green Lady
Angie:

Jagger sings very well and even went to the "high notes" like in the studio recording, when was the last time he did this, sometimes in the 70s maybe?

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pmk251
Keith's song writing is hit and miss and sometimes in the same song. But he adds something that Jagger seems completely unable to achieve...Some emotional honesty, tenderness and vulnerability. Even in the self mythopoeic Happy you are touched when he sings "Baby won't you keep me?" His songs are about something. He likes to play with words. Even his rickety voice and guitar playing add to the feeling of genuineness. When he takes the stage with Wood and Taylor it is something extraordinary and unlike anything else in the show. Taylor on backing vocals? Incredible! I would love to know how this came about! Even Taylor senses the need for restraint on this song. His delicate touch is commendable and leaves you wanting more. I look forward to hearing more versions of this song. The performance asks the audience to come to the song. And if you are too busy or too bored...Well f**k you. This is by far the most interesting song in the show.

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zgubi

However here is the video summary put together by du with the VIP experience, you can see me in the brown jacket.





Safe travels to everyone going to Tokyo or back home!

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bv
I was in the fire pit for the first half of the show. As the stage is at least 3 meters high (10 feet), and even higher in the middle as it is extending into the crowd, all I saw was the heads of Charlie, Keith, all of Ronnie because I was on his side, and all of Mick, because he was all over. I left the fire pit during the show and went into the middle of the crowd for a much better view. I don't know why they charge a high price for the fire pit when it is in fact sort of obstructed view. I have rarely seen such a high stage floor.

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proudmary

This decision - to add Taylor to Richards' set - shows again Mick Jagger's generosity. Knowing Stones fans special feelings for Taylor, Mick is not jealous and does not compete with his bandmates - he actually cares about the quality of the entire show, not only about himself. If someone is KR's fan, loves him and everything he does - for him/her it may be "by far the most interesting song in the show". I, in turn, agree with paulywaul, I do not like Richards vocals - not the voice itself and not the artificial expression - but that's me.

about the "genuine emotions" - tenderness and vulnerability are not the only real "honest" human emotions. Aggression, anger, drive, irony, resentment, humor, you name it - are as "pure" as them.
And. by the way. I do not hear any vulnerability or honesty in this performance of Slipping Away - only the lack of professional skills and posture

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DandelionPowderman

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proudmary

This decision - to add Taylor to Richards' set - shows again Mick Jagger's generosity. Knowing Stones fans special feelings for Taylor, Mick is not jealous and does not compete with his bandmates - he actually cares about the quality of the entire show, not only about himself. If someone is KR's fan, loves him and everything he does - for him/her it may be "by far the most interesting song in the show". I, in turn, agree with paulywaul, I do not like Richards vocals - not the voice itself and not the artificial expression - but that's me.

about the "genuine emotions" - tenderness and vulnerability are not the only real "honest" human emotions. Aggression, anger, drive, irony, resentment, humor, you name it - are as "pure" as them.
And. by the way. I do not hear any vulnerability or honesty in this performance of Slipping Away - only the lack of professional skills and posture

I don't think Mick has anything to do with Keith's set at all.

A nice (and well-deserved) gesture by Keith

Had Mick wanted to do this, he would have added Taylor on songs he sings himself..

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MrsHop
It's difficult to approach certain topics without upsetting anyone, but I have such mixed feelings about the Stones nowadays. I think the person who commented about the nostalgia aspect & the fact that we MUST be close to the 'final curtain' is pretty much right. I DID feel moved while watching 'Slipping Away', but it wasn't really anything to do with artistic expression. It was made poignent by the nature of the lyrics & the fact that it was being delivered by a frail, elderly Keith. We all get old (if we're lucky), but I found it kind of...sad.
Unrelated to that (& I wasn't there admittedly): I couldn't believe that the crowd just seemed to be milling around, in an almost uninterested way when the band were about to hit the stage for the opener. In fact, most didn't seem that interested once the band were ON the stage.

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stonesrule

Jagger doesn't get a managerial commission.

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sonomastone

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MrsHop
It's difficult to approach certain topics without upsetting anyone, but I have such mixed feelings about the Stones nowadays. I think the person who commented about the nostalgia aspect & the fact that we MUST be close to the 'final curtain' is pretty much right. I DID feel moved while watching 'Slipping Away', but it wasn't really anything to do with artistic expression. It was made poignent by the nature of the lyrics & the fact that it was being delivered by a frail, elderly Keith. We all get old (if we're lucky), but I found it kind of...sad.
Unrelated to that (& I wasn't there admittedly): I couldn't believe that the crowd just seemed to be milling around, in an almost uninterested way when the band were about to hit the stage for the opener. In fact, most didn't seem that interested once the band were ON the stage.

very well put. how odd that no one has commented that the song "slipping away", recorded in 1989, is about the very thing so many people on this forum are bemoaning - the stones' daring, skills, and relevancy slipping away. the f*cker didn't just see it coming back in 1989, he wrote a song about it. his detractors should at least give him credit for self-awareness and honesty, if nothing else.

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DandelionPowderman

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bonddm
Is it confirmed that MT also played on BTMMR?

Yes

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maradona

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DandelionPowderman

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bonddm
Is it confirmed that MT also played on BTMMR?

Yes

Obviously not:

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erikjjf
I expected the setlist to be similar to the ones at Hyde Park last Summer. Close enough...

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TheGreek

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erikjjf
I expected the setlist to be similar to the ones at Hyde Park last Summer. Close enough...

you noticed that also . last night i took a look at the setlist from hyde park (not sure if it was first night) very identical with gimmie shelter in the #14 spot on the setlist in Abu Dhabi.same opener with start me up.just an observation