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MisterDDDD
Loved the setlist from last night!
Both of Keith's songs and Come Together being the standout surprises for me. I'm going next weekend (*Just scored a pit ticket for $389 on stubhub!!)and am hopeful there are perhaps even one or two more or different surprises.
Gotta think they'll up the ante a bit...
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Socrates1
Some of you people are brutal!
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GasLightStreet
SFTD was horrible, completely lifeless. Keith's solos were just mind bogglingly awful! What the hell!
But hey, HMS thinks that kind of playing is brilliant.
I love those grumpy growling sounds Keith played on SFTD. Unique. His playing in some way seems to be more "alive" than in 1989/90, where he was technically better but sounded somewhat sterile. Now there´s glimmer and gleam, even in the wrong notes. Keith let the sparks fly!
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latebloomer
Thank you Hairball, lovely review.
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keithsmanQuote
Woz
I have to laugh at much of what I'm reading here....JJF had no energy? Keith can't play? The sound inside was huge. The guitars cackling with energy. I had a great time. That was my 36th show since '78....I've seen the Stones good bad and ugly and that was a strong show last night....
Agreed, people sit at home watching crap youtube videos recorded by devises that are not intended for loud music and think that that's how the Stones sound live. I have never come away from a Stones gig thinking the guitars sound is crap or they can't play . Keith's actual guitar 'sound' since 2012 has been incredible live, ok he needs a few gigs to get going properly but that's not going to happen on this tour so i would recommend people lowering their expectations a bit.
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mnewman505
Come Together was a misfire, it just didn't work. I've seen both Aerosmith and Michael Jackson do a better job on this song. Do I care? Of course not. I love when the Stones take chances and do a random cover!
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Cristiano RadtkeQuote
latebloomer
Thank you Hairball, lovely review.
My thoughts exactly!
Thank you and have fun tonight, Hairball.
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MisterDDDDQuote
Cristiano RadtkeQuote
latebloomer
Thank you Hairball, lovely review.
My thoughts exactly!
Thank you and have fun tonight, Hairball.
Thanks as well, Hairball!
Looking forward to your take on tonight..
Whatever the hell Ronnie was doing, it wasn't soloing. Just atrocious.Quote
Hansman
Thanks for all the YouTube links. Much appreciated.
My honest impression: I watched most of them now and I must say that the Stones sound really really bad on most songs. It reminded me a lot of some of the ABB shows I have seen which were mostly terrible. Keith really has lost all his chops by now. You can't call that guitar playing anymore. It's a joke really. Same with Ronnie. That "solo" in Start Me Up is laughable. In fact, I find it embarrassing what Ronnie and Keith delivered here. Charlie plays stiffer than ever. I can't hear any swing or groove in his drumming. Mick sounds as if he holds back for some reason. The entire band just doesn't flow. I wished I could praise and celebrate them, but to my ears they sound really, really horrible.
Sad.
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Cristiano RadtkeQuote
latebloomer
Thank you Hairball, lovely review.
My thoughts exactly!
Thank you and have fun tonight, Hairball.
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Hansman
Thanks for all the YouTube links. Much appreciated.
My honest impression: I watched most of them now and I must say that the Stones sound really really bad on most songs. It reminded me a lot of some of the ABB shows I have seen which were mostly terrible. Keith really has lost all his chops by now. You can't call that guitar playing anymore. It's a joke really. Same with Ronnie. That "solo" in Start Me Up is laughable. In fact, I find it embarrassing what Ronnie and Keith delivered here. Charlie plays stiffer than ever. I can't hear any swing or groove in his drumming. Mick sounds as if he holds back for some reason. The entire band just doesn't flow. I wished I could praise and celebrate them, but to my ears they sound really, really horrible.
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Hairball
A few random thoughts of night 1 of weekend 1:
Roger Waters' gigantic screen is unbelievably amazing!!!
Shuttle to and from hotel was like being in summer camp filled with happy concert goers reveling in the excitement with the stereo blasting tunes from all bands on the bill. Jumped on the first shuttle at 1:30 to arrive their early and get the lay of the land. The festival grounds are literally like a mini village with different 'neighborhoods' to roam around for food, drinks, and an actual record store!!!, There was an amazing large air conditioned gallery showcasing a Photography exhibit from the best rock photographers in history. Filled with iconic photos of all the bands throughout their history (some I've never seen before), it was a good way to spend an hour out of the sun. There was also a large bar in the center of the gallery with couches, tables, etc, to lounge around. And speaking of couches, etc., there were many outdoor areas throughout the site designed for kicking back, eating drinking, etc. while sitting on 5 star quality furniture!
Once I scoped all that out, I made my way into the adjoining concert site itself which was insanely massive! The screen stood tall and proud like a beacon in the distance - it was surreal to enter the area with thousands of empty chairs, and a close to empty pit area. It's hard to describe the size of the place as it was so huge - not only far back, but the width from left to right. There must have been 100 yard distance between left and right grandstands, and from the stage to the rear of the GA it must have been twice that distance. With the giant stage screen along with giant 'smaller' screens for the GA folks, nobody would have a problem seeing what was happening on stage.
Pre-show early evening, the screen lit up with gigantic panoramic views of the Desert. The pre-filmed scenes reflected real time and changed accordingly. From blazing sunny mirages and scenic Desert landscapes, to the sunset lighting up the sky with purples, oranges, and pinks, to star filled darkness. If one stared at the screen, it was almost hard to differentiate that from what was happening in reality. When the sun finally set, so did the images on the screen with a dark starry desert night - shooting stars and all!
On with the show...
Dylan's set was absolutely great, and with the the gigantic screen as a backdrop it was visually stunning, not to mention the LOUD volume of the state of the art sound system. A brief segment of photos and clips of Dylan throughout his long career began the show when suddenly his band started cranking away. He opened with a rollicking bar room Rainy Day Women ?12 & 35 ("everybody must get stoned" ) which established his greatness to those who've never seen him, before moving forward and being his quirky self with re-intepretations of many of his songs (Don't Think Twice, It's All Right, Highway 61 Revisited, Tangled up in Blue, et al). Crispy clear close-ups of Dylan and band from different angles, along with vintage black and white news and film clips interspersed was the perfect backdrop for the old timer legend. Prior to his set, I wasn't sure how well he could pull it off in a giant festival setting. Probably not to everyone's liking, but he easily held his own and most of the crowd seemed to enjoy it to the end. As for me, I can honestly say it was one of the best Dylan experiences I've ever witnessed live.
After a brief intermission, it was time for the Stones. They utilized the screen and sound system to the fullest - their pre-show video intro was loud and visually stunning. Bursts of red and thundering booms, the stage was set for what some still refer to as 'worlds greatest rock and roll band' which they definitely once were. Opening with warhorse staple Start Me Up (not a personal favorite, but perfect choice for this type of crowd), the Stones put on a typical state of the art Stones show - warts and all. Ride 'Em on Down, was easily a top highlight, and I wish the set consisted of more of that, but dream on. Also a surprising cover of the Beatles' Come Together which should finally put the Stones/Beatles rivalry to rest - it was great homage to their brethren, albeit slightly sloppy and clunky. Midnight Rambler is what the Stones are all about in a live setting for me, and no doubt the nights ultmate highlight. No matter how many times I've seen the Stones (in small clubs, arenas, and stadiums), and just when I'm about to write them off as over the hill, faded, and shadows of their former selves - they can still deliver a somewhat memorable show (for what it's worth, it was much better than the San Diego opener I saw last tour). Sure Ronnie isn't the worlds greatest guitarist. Yes Keith has lost some of his mojo. Obviously Mick has lost a step or two in his energy. But Charlie remains the engine that keeps the band chugging, and because of that is probably the main reason why they're still worth seeing live.
Glad I didn't purchase a Pit upgrade as I was able to roam freely even finding some empty seats a few rows behind the Pit. As everyone was standing and the aisles were clogged during the Stones set, I bounced around and maneuvered here and there throughout the show. It was great to get up close, but it was also great to step back within the first 30 rows and absorb the visuals on the giant screen along the overall atmosphere of the entire site. And as someone with a bad knee, it was nice to have a chair to rest my bones every once in awhile.
If the festival was over last night, it would already stand as one of the best all around concert experiences I've ever been to. But we've only just begun. The bar has been set last night, and Neil Young should be explosive tonight, with Paul McCartney probably putting on one of the best shows he's ever done. And then there's tomorrow. The Who have some hard acts to follow, but am sure they'll give it their best shot. And then there will be the ultimate closing set of Roger Waters who will be basking in all the glory. For those who have been on the fence wondering if this event is worthwhile, I'd highly recommend going next weekend - especially when you can easily get tickets at heavily dicounted prices right now. Pit tickets are currently as low as $399 for next weekend....do it now!
It's still hard to fathom that all these acts are on the same bill - all of which are in my top 10 favorites for one reason or another or another (Beatles>Paul). And if this first weekend isn't enough to fulfill my rock and roll fantasy show, I always have next weekend to contend with.
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Hairball
You're all welcome - good times!
As for tonight- I can probably sum it all up in one word (or name): NEIL
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MisterDDDD
Would love to hear Paul return the hat tip w a stones cover..
I would vote for Time is on my Side...