The Rolling Stones
Tamar festival site
Hong Kong, China
Friday November 7, 2003

1. Brown Sugar
2. Start Me Up
3. It's Only Rock'n Roll
4. Don't Stop
5. Angie
6. You Can't Always Get What You Want
7. Paint It Black
8. Can't You Hear Me Knocking
9. Miss You
10. Tumbling Dice
    --- Introductions
11. Slipping Away (Keith)
12. Happy (Keith)
13. Sympathy For The Devil
14. Gimme Shelter
15. You Got Me Rocking
16. Street Fighting Man
17. Honky Tonk Women
18. Satisfaction
19. Jumping Jack Flash (encore)

The night was rich with the usual classics which have universal appeal, which really gave the show momentum. But also I was impressed with the variety brought in, from Angie to You Can�t Always Get What You Want to Paint it Black. The Stones also played Miss You, which we had all grown tired of in 1997/98 but was a welcome treat this time around. Sympathy for the Devil, Gimme Shelter, You Got Me Rocking, and Street Fighting Man enabled Mick and Keith to get that critical momentum which always wins over the crowd., which worked perfectly in the small temporary venue that oddly enough seemed a bit like something you might see at a state fair in America.

The crowd deserves much credit, as they were attentive and standing throughout, not using Keith�s songs as a toilet break. Judging from the people I spoke with after the show, it was a first time for many as Hong Kong is not on the usual Chicago/Detroit/Cleveland string of tour dates. To talk with someone in their twenties and here him say �Like seeing Jimi Hendrix or Jim Morrison or John Lennon, I SAW MICK JAGGER TONIGHT!� brought much of my appreciation back into perspective. The location, event, and venue were far from typical, and the Rolling Stones made it very clear that the band and its performance was in keeping with the evening�s theme.

The final set-up sound check by the Stones crew took slightly less than an hour. Ready, steady, stage lighting gone, entry passage aired, ear-splitting cheer from the crowd even louder, the opening chords of Brown Sugar were heard, and in less than a second, the full band appeared before the crowd. Darryl, has gained weight noticeably. Charlie, silvery hair, in red T-shirt, really swinging but never block the way of the others. Ron, no cigarette, no fooling around, he�s really serious on guitar and washboard. Keith, smiling, attire not quite in Las Vegas style this time. Mick, over 60? No, he is sweet sixteen. They were everywhere on the stage, so energetic.

Start Me UP and IORR followed. The crowd put their hands in the air, clapping, feet on seats, tapping along with the beats. Mick thanked and chatted a little with audience in Cantonese. Fast learner of language. Angie, sung beautifully and in a lower key for part of the lyrics, with Keith on the acoustic. Mick asked the crowd if they really want to sing along with him before playing �You Can�t always Get what You Want�. Indeed everyone sang, �� but if you tried sometime you�ll find you get what you need��. �Miss You� used to be a break for cigarette for Keith and Ron, but this time they were in strict discipline, doing seriously to support the man in front. Bobby, simply professional on sax.

Lisa was luminously charming this evening, in black long-sleeve blouse and tight light brown skirt, did a wonderful duet with Mick in Gimme Shelter.

Slipping Away, sung tenderly by Keith; his voice was not coarse at all as many have said. Happy completed his part happily.

CYHMK brought the Fest to its full height with Mick�s harmonica. SFM - Hong Kong is never a sleepy city.

Even without the animation on the giant screen, Honky Tonk Woman is still a gem for the show. While everyone singing �gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues��, Mick doing kind of tango with Lisa. A local pop singer had a column in a newspaper, saying the Stones are not musically professional, the guitar playing being amateurish. It�s a fARt!!! I wish the HTW chords last forever, simple and powerful. What makes Beethoven 5th Sym a masterpiece? The same chemicals, simple, powerful.

�Are you ready for a little bit more!?�, asked Mick before Keith triggered the powerful chords of this crown jewel, Satisfaction. The audience wanted it to last forever. Encore� then JJ Flash and confetti� � Nobody wanted to leave even the exit music was aired.

Brilliant gig, the Stones haven�t even thought they are famous enough so they need not do much for the audience, and the fact is that they came out on stage and did 120% for the Harbour Fest.