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The Rolling Stones are playing NYC's 650 capacity Racket tonight (you're not getting in)
Bill Pearis
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October 19, 2023
photo by Mark Seliger
The Rolling Stones release Hackney Diamonds, their first album of new original material in nearly two decades, on Friday and Mick, Keith and the rest of the band are in NYC for press, with Ronnie Wood appearing on Fallon on Wednesday night (watch that below), and Keith Richards appearing on Friday. They’re also playing a very intimate, invite-only show tonight at at the 650-capacity Racket (fka Highline Ballroom).
The show hasn’t been officially announced but a few pictures have surfaced on social media, with Racket’s marquee redone in the Hackney Diamonds font. Toronto Globe & Mail arts reporter Brad Wheeler wrote on Twitter/X that he heard the band were only doing three songs. That could still leave room for appearances from the album’s many guests, which include Paul McCartney (who played the same venue in 2007 when it was Highline Ballroom), Lady Gaga, Elton John and more.
Before you get too excited, you’re not getting in. You can’t always get what you want.
Something the average joe has at least a chance to get into is the RS9 Hackney Diamonds pop-up store at 37 Union Square West which is holding a special listening party for the album tonight at 6:45. The pop-up is open through October 29. It’s one of four Stones pop-ups around the world:
Meanwhile, Paul McCartney is making headlines again for giving Stones opinions. He commented on “Sympathy for the Devil” on his iHeartPodcasts show, saying, “If your song is a good message — ‘Love is all you need’ — then that’s a good message to put out, rather than ‘Sympathy for the Devil’… Mick’s not a bad boy at all — it’s the exact opposite. But his image, for show, is of that. Whereas we just never really bothered with that.”
Paul also just began another leg of his ‘Got Back’ world tour in Australia last night, and his setlist included a Beatles song he hasn’t performed in 19 years, 1964’s “She’s A Woman.” Watch here.
Variety also broke the news this week that a one-hour TV documentary on the making of The Stones’ new album called The Stones: Still Rolling is on the way from director Paul Dugdale (Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, Adele: One Night Only, Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour). It’s produced by Fulwell 73 and Mercury Studios, and Mercury is reportedly looking to sell the project at Mipcom in Cannes this week. Stay tuned for more.