First off, I think the Stones are the greatest!

That being said, I had my first opportunity to see the band during their Forty Licks tour in 2002. Amazingly, I was lucky enough to score tickets to the Roseland gig in NYC. It was one of the most amazing concert experiences of my life, being a stone's throw from Mick in a room of less than 3000. (Having seen 63 Phish shows, and 20 Dead shows, that says a lot!)

Well, now that they are touring again, I am dying to go, but I am very conflicted. When I think of the band, I think of that night, and I'm afraid seeing them in a stadium or arena will dilute that experience. (And based on the cost of the tickets - I would be very far away!)

I know this sounds like a high-class problem, but I love the band very much, and don't want my memories of the experience to be anything less than it currently is.

Hopefully some fans can let me know what they think.

Thanks in advance.

Go and have a good time. Don't worry about past concert experiences and hoping that the show you're going to see lives up to them. You owe it to yourself as a Stones fan to see the boys rock 'n' roll as only they can! Have fun and lose yourself in the music! Take care and have fun!

HEY Danielb,
GO to any show you can, because No two shows are alike! They are always fantastic to see, they are so amazing no matter where you see them. There is so much energy and it's just too cool. Don't worry about seating, just like Stones89 said, lose yourself in the music!

It doesn't matter where you are at a Stones show, it only matters that you are there!! GO for it and be amazed again!!

Rock ON~
Colleen~aka~Mickschick!

The stadium shows have been imo superior to the Licks shows - looser, riskier, w/ more glitches, but more vital as well. Less dependence on keyboards/horns. Great stage makes huge venues almost intimate, & they're having a great time, with many song arrangements less 'fixed' than on Licks. High energy level overall, Ron's 100% better, Mick's in a sort of late period prime, & Keith (also more drive & energy overall) & Ron - who are much louder & up front mix-wise, are playing together more. Plus you get the best drummer in rock & roll.

danielb,

I was lucky enough to see the aragon and tower theater show. Nothing compares to seeing the band in that kind of environment. So don't go expecting the same type of show. It won't be as intimate. On the other hand, it is the Stones so treasure them while you may, because once they're gone . . . they're gone.

go baby go.
it won't "dilute" anything, it'll add another experience.
don't compare, just let it groove you - that's what it's for.


"What do you want - what?!"
- Keith

Seriously, the thought of MISSING them this time around should concern you more than diluting your past experiences. You wont be let down.

Lucky you. I would have loved to have gone to the Roseland show. Not just for the Stones but to see them jam with Jonny Lang, my absolute favorite performer and probably the sweetest, humblest person I have ever met.

Laughs....... my first show was in the VL... and I has this problem in BTB (2 shows), Licks (7) and actually (2 and waiting they come to Europe).... mate.. your Roseland (how my Vredenburg) is history... got them NOW... cause they are better NOW than in the Licks, No Security, Bridges, Voodoo, etc... Don´t let go this chance.... GO, GO, GO.......

Look... just follow my very accurate ENERGY FORECAST below... pick a date near you where the band's energy is indicated to be very high.

If you're in the NYC area, the show to see is probably that MSG date January 18th. That is forecast to be one of the highest-energy confluences on the whole tour.

Stones high-energy tour dates forecast is below:
[iorr.org]