It's Only Rock'n Roll
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It's Only Rock'n Roll |
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Stones
NEWS |
Tell Me Forum |
Hackney Diamonds |
Tour 2024 |
Mick Jagger |
Keith Richards |
Charlie Watts |
Ronnie
Wood |
Band 2
Tim Ries |
Charlatans (warmup) : 7:10pm - 7:45pm The Rolling Stones : 8:30pm - 10:25pm
Earlier that day, thanks to donations from my office and a chance offering on the Internet, I, a music-mad and fanatic nineteen year old, somehow managed to organise a ticket to see one of the greatest bands of all time, The Rolling Stones.
Due to spontaneity I was on my own at the concert but I did have about fifty thousand friends there, the vibe was incredible, I managed to sneak away from my in-the-sky seat to right on the right hand side of the stadium in the seated area. I spent most the night dancing in the fire exit, which wasn�t quite close enough to chat with Mick but when anyone came to our side I could easily make out facial features, which are pretty distinguished by now.
They jumped straight into the gig with Jumpin� Jack Flash and then into It�s Only Rock And Roll, which kept the crowd in dancing and singing awe. After She�s So Cold and a very unexpected Let�s Spend The Night Together I was in such an awesome jive, but also got quietly ushered out of the fire exit so I snuck around the bouncer and hung at the top of the stairs still right next to the stage. My new found back row dancing buddies joined me in singing and jumping to a really awesomely sterling version of You Can�t Always Get What You Want.
Mick was swarming like a mad man around the stage getting every single person there to get up, have fun and sing a long, He showed such incredible energy and charisma, constantly talking to the audience and letting us know what great singers we were and not failing to introduce every band member and every member of the huge and hugely impressive backing band. His energy was so phenomenal that it even kept the crowd going when he left the stage and let Keith do Slipping Away and Before You Make Me Run.
When Mick got back on something really cool and a bit weird happened; while Keith, Mick, Charlie and Ronnie were jamming in Miss You a small section of the stage holding just the four of them moved right forward through the middle crowd and right to the back of the audience, they then stormed into Start Me Up, which got everyone up and going and out of their seats again, that slid into a great version of Honky Tonk Woman during which a huge inflatable red tongue was conquering the main stage, they kept this and the crowd going as their mini platform flew back to the stage, with everyone standing and obeying every command of the excited Jagger.
The power of it all was epic but soon to be hugely surpassed by the most incredible song of the night; accompanied by fifty thousand back up singers and flames soaring above the stage, Sympathy For The Devil soared to astounding heights, never losing a single ounce of energy, this incredible extended version gave the chance for Ronnie Wood to remind us all what an incredible guitarist he really is. Keith soon showed off his stuff too as the music died down lights dimmed and a single spotlight shone on this living legend complete with cigarette and yellow Fender Telecaster as he gleefully gave us the intro for another epic: Paint It Black.
I couldn�t help but keep smiling as we all kept clapping and singing along with Mr Mick Jagger to Brown Sugar. What really incredible stage presence!!! After Brown Sugar they all left a desperate audience who didn�t seem to even falter once in the ovation for a good fifteen minutes. The encore was awesome, The whole band along with more fire and fireworks exploded into Satisfaction, which sealed this gig as extraordinary and the greatest of my life. No one there was not up and singing for that entire song which concluded in a huge amount of fireworks and giant streamers sent over the crowd.
As I looked at the four guys, four pioneers of music, when they bowed to us in appreciation, I felt so excited and satisfied that I had been able in my life to witness these four amazing guys just having a jam and showing the world that rock and roll will never die.
Mick Jagger "Sir Mick Of Twick" (as a held aloft sign, exclaimed), asked the audience, if anyone had attended their Twickenham/Richmond shows back in '62-'62.. afew people waved, shouted, and held arms aloft.
"don't worry, it's the same setlist!", Mick quipped.
-Methinks 'Sir Mick Of Twicks' reads the Message Boards!!!
Ronnie Wood, 'The Monet Of Middlesex', (as Mick introduced him) was again, on fire... the guy was the consummate professional. He was 'on the money' all night, his all round guitar work and solo's in particular, were fabulous.
He really did bring his 'A' game , back to his home ground, and it was great to witness.
Charlie was Charlie- steady as a rock, never missed a beat. The crowd showed their appreciation with huge cheers- even though Mick offered him the microphone , to address us,and he, as usual, declined.
Keith, in my opinion, was a little off-colour on sunday- not so, last night. He was clearly fired up, focused and enjoying himself. To my untrained ears, his guitar work was flawless.
Mick's voice was not the fragile instrument, that it was, on sunday- and he gained more and more confidence as the show progressed.
'She's So Cold' 'L.S.T.N.T' 'Live With Me' and 'Bitch', were stunning additions to the setlist- yes ! a different selist to '62-'63!
I had 'nosebleed' seats in the North Stand (the opposite end to the stage)- the sound was superb, and something which has certainly been looked at and improved since their last visit here, in 2003.
The atmosphere generated by their performance last night, is going to be very, very hard to beat, or indeed match, on any of the remaining dates, on this tour.
They truly, and genuinely, raised the bar, last night, to a level, i did not think they could reach at this stage of the game.
I hope for the people of Glasgow, that the momentum continues, and they get a show to remember, like this one.
But it's going to be hard- this was a legendary performance.
The only downside was the PA system for Mick�s voice which was all over the place (not his fault) � and the queuing after the gig at the train station!
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Thanks to Axel Schumacher and Karl Foster for news links
It's Only Rock'n Roll 1980 - 2006