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 |
Live pre/post show comments:
In the "old days", like the 70's, 80's, 90's and so, they used to say that New York city would not be in the Stones tour dates list until they had been on the road for six weeks. That was the time The Rolling Stones neeeded to get "in sync", so that all the music industry and critical journalists got the band "on form". I thought it was a great rule, if you went to NYC then they would be at their best. On the other hand, I like them in any shape, rusty or perfect, so I go to more shows, just like a footbll team, you love them both at their ups and downs.
I stayed at what must have been a one star hotel "Super 8" out in a place called Carlstadt, which is right next to the Metlife Stadium, less than a mile, but due to all the roads in the area, it is 1.3 mile walking in unsafe areas among cars, parking lots and so on. I did the walking in 2019, for the shows then, same hotel, same venue, but when I arrived to my hotel this time around, there was a big sign in the reception saying it was illegal and dangerous to walk to the stadium, signed the police and the authorities. So I took the next door shuttle from Redd's bar and rstaurant, it took 3 minutes to the show, six minutes back after the show, you can not beat that.
In the morning before the first show, I was very busy working on pre-show updates, the announcement of the show #20, and other IORR stuff. Then I heard some rumble, then some strange noise on my window, and soon after water was flowing in under my door. Since the hotel is really a motel style building with outdoor entries to each room, the rain storm that hit us that morning was there right on my door. I used my towels to stop the water, then worked on. Later that day, during the first show, Mick mentioend the storm, with a reference to "Stormy Daniels". For me, that was a reminder of my early morning work with the bad weather in my hotel room. I bet you don't get that experience in a five star hotel.
Waking up every morning, looking out the window, to see the venue where The Rolling Stones will be performing, in walking distance, is always relaxing, and a pleasure. I know I can be there in half an hour, on foot, even if the all other traffic is breaking down, or there is a traffic jam. Even if that hotel get less and less nice for every tour, I say to myself if they tour again in 2029, I will probably be back.
I was out by the venue every afternoon at 4:30pm, with one of the first Redd's shuttles. Then there were very few fans out there, and I could walk around and watch the gates, meet people, see the Lucky Dip queue, the box office location, and soon after there was soundcheck. On the first night they did "Tumbling Dice", "Shattered", "Angry", "Mess It Up", "Wild Horses", "Tell Me Straight", and then there was a long harmonica solo, a few minutes, just Mick doing the harmonica bits of "Midnight Rambler". Very interesting! We got most of the songs rehearsed, but not the last two ones that night.
Two quick trips into the Big Apple, partly with Uber, but last time by bus 161, non-stop back from Port Authority bus station. Manhattan is so noisy and busy, cars honking their horns, tourists walking on red traffic lights, I was happy to be out there at Redd's Bar and Restaurant, where there were normally 3 guys in the bar afternoon non-show days, and me outside, in the sunshine. On show days afternoon, it was of course very crowded at Redd's.
Show day Sunday 26th. The soundcheck is starting with "Bitch". Then two takes of "Heartbreaker", so I know the vote song winner. Then "Whole Wide World", I love the guitar playing by Ronnie on that song. Then "Wild Horses", Mick do need a slow song. Then "Midnight Rambler", in a nine minute version. After that "Tell Me Straight", and a couple of minutes of "Sweet Sounds Of Heaven". I knew the show tonight would be special, I just wondered how they would be able to fit in "Rambler" without doing less number of songs, and what song would they remove from the list?
I was in Pit A, Ronnie side. It was very hot day time, but with sunset it got a bit more chilly. The pit was not crowded at all, some girls in front of me kept a large space in front of them, so that they could see the band on stage better. Nobody took thse spaces, which would happen most other places, but the New York crowd is always nice and friendly. At 9:27pm the screen goes bright, the intro music is on, and one minute later, "Ladies and Gentlemen - The Rolling Stones!"
The crowd was young, like in Las Vegas, many around me could have been almost my grandchildren. At age 15-20 they were singing along on every song. I am sure the band on stage got that great feedback, it is always great for a band to have the crowd that engaged. We got the two usual starters, then "Bitch", "Angry" and "Heartbrasker", all great and performed well.
Then Mick said "We have performed this one before, so we will do it again", and we got "Wild Horses". Alowas great to have a song where Keith is singing parts of it into his own microphone.
"Whole Wide Would" should have been played every night, like "Angry", I love both songs, and so do the crowd. I am sure 4-5 songs from the new album would work great, as long as the last part of the show is more to the standards.
"Tell Me Straight". For the first time, Keith is doing it in a great way, and when Ronnie is doing the guitar solo part later in the song, Keith is watching Ronnie with admiration. What a song! I hope they can keep it in the set for the rest of the tour, because every fan do deserve to hear this great new song by Keith. Then Keith did "T&A", great as always, and as he left the stage, he said "That was my bit". A large bit I would say. Thank you Keith!
On "Sympathy For The Devil" Keith is walking all the way to the wing on our ("Ronnie" / "A") side. We get Keith close up, as I am on the side of the stage for this show. You see well still, all of the pit is excellent for watching the band.
After "Honky Tonk Women" Pierre is handing Mick a harmonica. So it is coming. "Midnight Rambler", in the spot were "Miss You" usually has been played. It is another great version of Rambler, impossible to describe in words, not even a video taken from a mobile phone will tell much about it. Mick is everywhere, Ronnie, Keith and the rest of the band is following Mick. We get eleven minutes of Rambler, a highlight of the show.
Keith is starting "Gimme Shelter". Mick is suddenly rushing over the stage, his microphone is sitting in front of Chuck Leavell, Mich gets it just in time for his part.
"Jumping Jack Flash". The crowd is at boiling point. If there was a roof in the building, I am sure it would have lifted, just the same feeling I had many years ago at MSG, when Ronnie played the "Knocking" solo, again the crowd was simply amazing. The NYC crowd is sophisticated, understanding, but most of all very enthousiastic.
"Satisfaction" was closing, they actually ended it, I was about to make a note of th show ending time, then they restarted it, and gave us 1-2 more minutes of "Satisfaction". That was the band's gift to a pleasing crowd. Such a great show. Still, there will be more, and they will be great in the next cities as well. No reason to sit at home and watch poor videos. If you can, get to see them, in Chicago, Los Angeles, or wherever they go. They are still as great as they can be, in my mind, which is all that counts, for me. I would not bother with all that travel hazzle if they were not that great, but they are, indeed!
Just a final note, may be it sounds like I am a Keith Richards fan in particular. Yes I am, but also I am an equally large fan of Mick and Ronnie, and of every single band member on stage, as well as the crew, all the hard working people who make these magic shows happen. Some shows do make you sort of living on a cloud for days, the 2nd show at Metlife was such a show!
Mick told us they had done over 100 shows in this area, which he mainly described as New York. I counted around 60 if you include the NY Boroughs and that part of New Jersey alongside the Hudson River and Manhattan. No doubt one of the chroniclers can be more precise – but it’s a huge number of shows over the last 60 years: only London has seen more. In 1964 they initially played Carnegie Hall: now their venue holds 30 times the size of crowd and I wonder if any of those pioneer fans were present in the Met Life Stadium. The venue looked full to capacity.
There were many celebrities present, so I’m told. I saw Martin Scorsese being ushered out by a large security team at the end. No special guests on stage, despite the rumours – the band did not need them to create a great show. The audience were all celebrities tonight for the way they welcomed, encouraged, energised and applauded the Stones. Great crowd, great show: it’s a simple equation.
It is my opinion that this was the best Stones stadium show that I have seen for a very, very long time: at least since 2007. I have seen over 60 Stones stadium shows in the last 10 years, so there may have been better ones – but this was really fantastic in almost all senses. It ranks amongst the top 10 of my Stones shows, only really theatres and a few arenas being better. On this tour there has been a steady improvement overall with each show: last night we had a big step-up. Why?
Firstly, the setlist was great: 4 songs not played before on this tour; one new song for me, Tell Me Straight; Rambler; Heartbreaker (yet another New York song); Bitch, etc. It was a great mix of old and new. Four songs from Hackney Diamonds: not for 20 years have they played 4 songs less than one year old on stage. Correction: they did at the Racket club show last year. High energy on most songs; an electrifying pace. No time for a breather or comfort break.
In 7 shows we have had 34 songs; 13 have made every show. Another 12 have been suggested in the song vote. We could easily get to more than 40 songs in the 20 shows that will now end in an amphitheatre in the woods of the Ozark Mountains in late July. The band should be very confident to press on with expanding the song list: they can play them so well; the audience is open to be challenged.
Secondly the performance from everyone on the stage was excellent. Mick seemed to be breathing in the audiences’ atmosphere, and enjoying the taste, the excitement; the enthusiasm of the crowd. When he ran back the length of the catwalk he almost sprinted. He was grinning and waving like he was possessed – maybe he was, by a kind spirit. Maybe he’d visited the crossroads en route from Manhattan. Unless you look at his face, bearing the signs of 80 years, he could have been Mick from 1990 or earlier: that is crazy to contemplate! With his movement and vocal quality it is as if his body has been in suspended animation over the last 40 years.
Keith was playing so, so well, better than for the last 2 or 3 tours at least. The odd snafu generated a smile and immediate correction. His soloing was electrifying: Honky Tonk Women could have been a 70s live version. His movement on stage increases every show; some kicks; lots of crouching; smiles at faces in the crowd; reaching the extremities of the stage: but little posturing.
Ronnie seemed to feed off of this, and played some great licks and solos. Several times at the end of songs the two of them hugged each other as they knew what magic they had just conjured-up. I saw Ronnie flicking his hand towards the end of the show, maybe too over-worked with all this energy flying around? Hopefully some physio will fix him for Boston.
Of course we also expect the non-principals on stage to be top notch... and nobody was surprised last night. Mick missed Darryl in the introductions and walked back to hold his hand and bring him forward. The hand that Mick held had worked so hard in New York. I think Darryl was inspired by a bass work-out he had when playing a jazz gig with Tim R and Bernard F a couple of nights earlier. Those two also excelled last night, on sax and keyboards and vocals and percussion respectively, and respectably. They are also terribly nice chaps!
Steve Jordan had to rapidly discard his suit jacket, such was the power he was expending. He even caused Mick to ask if he had finished his end-of-song drum flourishes at one point. And I thought Steve triggered the pace change towards the end of Rambler without a nod in advance from Keith, who had to follow Steve’s lead. A small but hopefully interesting detail for the aficionados.
Chuck on Sympathy extended his parts beautifully, or was he higher in the mix? SSOH is another highlight for Mr Leavell this year. Karl and Matt are less prominent in the mix, at least from a sound perspective, but also did sterling service. Hopefully we’ll hear more from them as the tour progresses.
Chanel… well what can you say. She was stunning again, and I’m not talking about her appearance, although that immediately gains attention for many in the audience. She puts huge emotion, so it seems, into her every performance. It must be exhausting. Yet she is now leading Mick sometimes in their two duet pieces, and she is adding immensely to those songs without diminishing anyone else’s parts, especially Mick’s. Keith and Ronnie always smile and even clap their appreciation for both duets.
So a great performance. But don’t take my word for it. My 9 year old niece saw her first Stones show last night, and wrote a great summary. A couple of excerpts:
“I enjoyed it a lot because it was very expressive and there were tons of colors, lights, and people and I liked how the songs would tell you a story.”
“I like how Mick Jagger and Keith Richards went to the side stages so everyone could see them. I loved the lights and how you could see the band on the big screen - Keith was smiling a lot!”.
He certainly was smiling a lot. So was Mick. So was the audience. They were literally dancing in the aisles, and right across the standing areas. As my niece also commented, on the slow songs the stadium was full of lights from cell phones.
I was impressed last night by the Met Life organisation, and the people who work there. Better at the weekend than during the week. They have Alcohol Compliance officials all over the place again. I wondered if they tested the drinks, but decided their role was to keep everyone sober… it didn’t work.
In my Pit we had several people keel over, not necessarily from over-indulgence, and what I can only describe as a train of security and medics raced through the Pit like the cavalry to the rescue: fast and effective. I think at one point one of the Stones own security team jumped over the Pit rail to attend to a casualty.
So, seven shows down this tour; just over a third of the tour complete. Can it get much better? We have 5 more shows in the eastern states before heading back to the mid west. Most stadiums are open to the elements: great for sound, less so for comfort. The Stones march on.
The Rolling Stones did not play that song at either of the MetLife stadium shows this week, but it’s the one that’s been playing in my head since the beginning of every Stones tour since 2012.
I admit I was initially discouraged by what I heard at the beginning of the tour; after 60 years of defying the odds, The Rolling Stones finally sounded like what they were: very old men playing rock and roll. Mick sounded and moved with a laborious quality he never displayed before. Ronnie’s solos were choppy and lacking his usual melodic flare. And Keith just seemed tired and sullen.
Of course, I had these same observations prior to seeing them in 2019 at the same venue, and that was an utterly explosive show that fully restored my faith in the band. If they did it then, why not now?
I can not only say that my faith is restored, but at a fever pitch. The Rolling Stones, now averaging 80-81 years old, put on a thrilling display of defiance and vitality, once again spitting in the face of critics and making me feel utterly foolish for ever having doubted them.
At the start of the tour, Keith utterly massacred the “Start Me Up” riff. Tonight, it exploded out of the gate and was played with absolute precision. Mick shimmied across the vast stage with ease, and his voice was rich and clear.
The entire show maintained this level, and the addition of new songs alongside relative rarities like "Get Off Of My Cloud" and "Bitch" gave the show a freshness it had been lacking for a long time. It is a testament to the quality of the new material that songs like "Angry" and "Whole Wide World" went over about as well as "Paint It Black" and "Jumping Jack Flash."
And of course, there was the big surprise of the evening: a typically intense, powerhouse “Midnight Rambler,” thought to be shelved this time around to make room for new songs. With “Miss You” taking a much needed night off, “Ramble” had ample time to work its dark magic, enveloping the stadium with its sadistic energy. It was like the band was whipping us into submission, challenging us to match their brutal energy. Maybe it was the element of surprise, but this “Rambler” felt truly momentous and on par with the very best versions of the song.
Keith was ON FIRE. His playing on "Bitch" and from "Sympathy" onward was just incendiary. Driving the music, prowling the stage and making sure everyone was exposed to the assault of powerful riffs and solos he was churning out. A switch flipped during ""Rambler" and he was like a kid again; he hit every note like each string owed him a million dollars. To see him play with such renewed focus and authority was nothing short of inspiring. The "Satisfaction" reprise was the cherry on top of an MVP show for him.
Ronnie, too, played some absolutely great guitar riffs and solos, particularly on “Tumbling Dice” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” He was almost as active as Mick, hamming it up with the crowd while somehow maintaining total focus on his musicianship. After two bouts of cancer, this was nothing short of amazing.
Mick was in primo form: running, jumping, vamping, and singing with his signature ageless alacrity that continues to inspire and captivate. The ultimate frontman. His vocals were in fantastic shape.
The rest of the band brought the necessary support to keep the engine running with a full tank for the entire two hours, particularly Steve Jordan; yes we all miss Charlie, but I have my doubts that at 82 the Wembley Whammer would be able to drive the band to the often frantic pace Jordan pushed the band towards at times. Jordan managed to emulate Charlie’s sense of swing and swerve while adding new touches and styles that made some of the more tired material sound truly vital again.
And then there’s Chanel Haynes, who had the unenviable task of taking on signature spotlight moments originated by Merry Clayton and Lady Gaga. Haynes approached these parts with utter fearlessness, bringing a stupefying combo of technical brilliance, soulful showmanship, and scintillating sex appeal to both “Gimme Shelter” and “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven.” She is an utter tour de force, not only surpassing the noble efforts of Sasha Allen but rivaling Lisa Fischer on her best nights; she is that good, that powerful.
The Rolling Stones played a perfect show; I have no qualms saying that at all. It was invigorating, inspiring, surprising and just a totally faultless evening of timeless rock and roll.
If I had to compare this band to anything, it would be the Coney Island Cyclone, a roller coaster in Brooklyn, New York that is well over 100 years old. They’re both old and a bit rickety, and they take a minute to get going; however, once they get over that first hill, the thrills keep coming and put younger models to shame.
While I entered the stadium with “The Last Time” in mind, this line from the more obscure “Torn and Frayed” played in my head” as I exited into the night:
“Just as long as the guitars play
He’ll steal your heart away.”
I’m just floored again and again by how good they sound at this point in their careers. This felt like a “thank you to NYC” show and they were really on fire.
If you can find videos, enjoy!
If this is the last time I ever see them, I won’t be happy but I will remember the joy of this night and this 2024 NYC run. They seem to be enjoying themselves and what more can anyone expect from doing the thing one loves to do at any point in their career.
Bless them!
If anyone claims the Stones are at the top of their game, they haven't seen this second NJ/NYC show tonight at MetLife Stadium/NJ. Only the Stones could surpass their own high standards.
First, they mixed up the setlist considerably. Bitch was the third song, the first time on this tour. They kept Wild Horses (was the voting song on Thursday), the winner of the voting was Heartbreaker. Whole Wide World instead of Mess It Up, and the highlight of Keith's set: Tell Me Straight! They also skipped Miss You and played an excellent version of Midnight Rambler.
Secondly, the band - always on excellent form - played like never before. This really was Keith's show, he was smiling throughout, had fully regained his energy and was playing at his best - even walking around and greeting the audience. Ronnie was back on top form - and Mick was Mick: the best frontman on earth, the moon and the universe.
Of course, you can argue about one or the other show, one or the other band member... I think this was Chanel's night too: not only do her vocals, which are already top notch, get better with every performance, she puts on an impressive show and really enhances those staples of Stones shows, Gimme Shelter and Sweet Sounds.
OK, so he half fluffed the Start Me Up Intro and Tell Me Straight was shaky, but none of that mattered by the end of the night because from Midnight Rambler onwards he absolutely bossed the stage, attacking songs, and really taking control and being assertive in a way that I don't think we have seen this tour... of course now we can ask why tonight...
Well, of course it's been reported he has been recovering from a cold/covid/illness, but I also want to throw into the mix that tonight was a night for guitar players - Bitch he has a solo, Whole Wide World he powers the engine, and replacing Miss You with Rambler really seemed to stoke the fire within him... he went out to both wings of the stage during the evening, and even reprised Satisfaction after it had ended - surely a sign of a good night!
I thought Gimme Shelter was one of the most powerful versions in recent years - maybe Keith did too as he went straight over to Ronnie when it finished to almost celebrate with him. Anyway, let's just forget the difference between correlation and causation and agree that it appears dropping Miss You from the set improves Keith by 100% - so let's keep it that way for the rest of the tour!!!
Couple of points to conclude... why did I say a Roller Coaster of an evening- well to start with I was feeling a little deflated that both Get off my Cloud and Wild Horses were retained from Thursday, I thought maybe Let's Spend the Night Together or You Got Me Rocking would take the No.2 spot, and another balled would get a run out, but by the end of the night I was just so pleased about how Keith played I realised I no longer cared what was in the set!
Finally, I was quite critical over the video screen operators for missing key moments on Thursday night - tonight was much improved with only one exception... Gimme Shelter ... Chanel is on the screen seconds before her solo spot... we see her walk out, strut, give the eyes, then she is about to deliver her first line and.... the camera cuts to Mick just standing there at the back of the stage...!!!!! Just a crazy decision given it is a real key moment of the song... if anyone from the stones camp reads these reviews please look into this! Key moments deserve to be on the screen.
But back to the main take home of the show...Some people have been asking questions about Keith. Well tonight was his night. Tonight, he told us straight. For me... next stop is Chicago.
The support act Lawrence were an 8 piece soul band.Talented individuals but some what lacking in cohesion. Lead vocalist Gracie made good use of the vast stage with lots of preening, dancing and energy. Her brother Clyde on Keyboards. Siblings from director Marc Lawrence. Nepotism is alive and well.
A well behaved pit B! A few celebrities such as Soprano Michael Imperioli seem to be rocking out too.
Just before 9.30 security were fist bumping and Pierre was doing the final checks to Keef’s guitars. And then they were on. A bum opening note for Start me up, but it was all up and up after that. If this is the last NYC show they tore the city up. We were treated to a spectacular performance and perfect set list.
Keef and Mick were in almost identical green shirts for most of the show. Both were equally energised. Keef never stopped smiling and played some amazing licks. Highlight was a tasty bitch.
We got the debut of Tell me straight.I really hope it stays in the set list. Keef’s vocal was beautiful and a lovely sweet solo by Ronnie. Little T and A raw and non PC, there’s hope for some Brown sugar.
Whole wide world works so well live. I hope we get more from Hackney Diamonds.
The packed out Met Life crowd were so appreciative of the show. Everyone had been transported to that sunny stratosphere for a few hours. These warriors just march on getting better as the years go by .
The encore of Sweet sounds of heaven works perfect. And Chanel matches Ga Ga in her delivery. It was a shorter version this time. Keef was kicking off Satisfaction even before Ronnie had his guitar on. Wow what a show! Catch these elegant time lords whilst you can. See you in the Boston pit.
Mick mentioned from the stage the band has done over 100 shows in the area. The stadium in east Rutherford, New Jersey is where both the New York giants and New York Jets football teams play. Tickets started at $69.50 and because the stadium has a very large capacity nearly 83,000 all the way around but the end stage setup reduces that a bit I would say these were the most attended shows of the tour. The stadium is a $5.50 train ride each way from Madison square garden / Pennsylvania station or $4.90 round trip if a rider is over 62 years old.
The stadium is newer but the new roof material that the Vegas and Los Angeles stadiums have was not designed yet so it’s an outside stadium. The weather was clear and warmer than Seattle but comfortable.
On the morning of the Thursday show the United States government department of justice and 30 states filed suit against the ticket distributor of the shows Ticketmaster I mention this because the Sunday show opening band Lawrence testified in Washington DC at a Senate hearing regarding this company.
Mick also mentioned it being Memorial Day weekend. Some fans could have seen the Thursday show then left town for the Monday holiday or just come into town for the Sunday show. On the Friday in between shows the New York Rangers hockey team had a playoff game at the garden and Tim Reiss, Bernard Fowler and Daryl Jones had a show at the jazz club at the aman hotel located at 5th ave and 57th street. The hotel has achieved a three Michelin star rating and is known to be the most expensive hotel in nyc. The event was open to the public but very under the radar. The capacity of the room might have been 50 spread among some small 2 and a few 4 tables and some barstools. That band did Honky tonk, can't you hear me knocking, miss you, wild horses and closing with satisfaction. Chanel joined on two other jazz songs. On Saturday night New York City based superfan Gail ontherail hosted a well planned party at Bowery electric where many songs were played by a cover band. On Saturday aarp the tour sponsor hosted an event at The Stone Pony in New Jersey.
Guessing midnight rambler replaced miss you because of the two shows at the same place. Just before the show I saw the filmmaker martin scorsese escorted to his seat in the fifth row Keith’s side sadly he wasn’t filming this show but hopefully you can find some videos online.
“How is it possible?” I asked myself this after every song, and I am grateful for band and crew for making it possible.
Highlights:
“Bitch:” the first surprise of the night. “My heart’s beating louder than a big bass drum” as Mick pounds his chest to make sure his repaired ticker ignites once again. The horn section adds swagger to Jagger magnificently.
“Whole Wide World” ignites the rest of the band. They really lean into this one. I’ve seen them introduce plenty of new songs in their sets over the years, and the crowd’s reaction to the new stuff is next level.
“Heartbreaker!” Didn’t see that one coming. Kudos to Chuck Leavell for whipping the tour band into shape for this “Goat’s Head Soup” chestnut. Flawless. Horn section on point!
“Little T&A:” again with the horn section! They step in and make it a muscular soul tune. The maestro is in fine voice with supple chord changes. Again—how is this possible?!
“Wild Horses.” When Mick sings “I got my freedom, but I don’t have much time,” was I the only one that had a lump in their throat? Reminds us all that life is to be savored. The slow ballad of the night might be the highlight.
“Midnight Rambler.” First time in 40 shows they axed “Miss You,” in a NYC crowd, no less! The blues opera was a shambolic mess, yet isn’t that when we find The Rolling Stones at their very best? Cues missed, Mick cueing Steve Jordan from 1/2 way across the stadium with some inaudible direction, howling solos in the night air. I’ve the chills just writing this.
“Honky Tonk Woman” Chuck Leavell’s solo in the middle, with the kick of the boot on the keys to announce “I’m done.” Classic. Mick sprinted from the bulbous mini-stage in the middle of the stadium back to the band. How is it possible?
“Tell Me Straight.” Keith songs is the cue for many in the crowd to pee and check out the merch tables, but no one moved for this tender gem off “Hackney Diamonds.” Keith was SELLING it. You could see in his eyes how intentional he was and how proud he was to have new songs to sing. Beautifullly executed. “Gimme Shelter/Sweet Sounds of Heaven” Chanel Haynes injects a new energy from Mick. Not since Tina Turner (who she played in a musical) has there been a female musical foil able to kick the old rooster up the arse, and she did it. When she hits high notes, her face contorts into something angry and menacing—perfect for a rock show! You can hear her creeping into high gear on “Tumbling Dice” as well. Love how Bernard Fowler is comfortable enough in his own skin/role to let the new gal soar!
You cannot say enough about Steve Jordan. Visually, he is in a sharp suit in honor of his sharp dressed predecessor and musically, he finds a way to put a new personality and energy into the songs while honoring the steady beat of Charlie.
Mick might be the brains and Keith might be the heart, but the garrulous Ronnie Wood is the adrenal gland that provides pacing and the countless energy bursts. When he walks out on the ramp and soaks in the applause during band introductions, it is akin to a phone charging that feeds his energy for the explosive finish. The man was magnificent throughout the night.
Despite reviews talking about boundless energy and time standing still, longtime Stones fans know better. Jagger walks more than he runs, the prances are more measured. Keith and Ronnie barely move. Perhaps a better commentary on their age is that they harness what they can/can no longer do into a more focus and concentrated performance. Jagger SINGS. He’s not leading an aerobics class to 70,000 the way he did in 1981, which is not a bad thing. “Still Life” was a live album he wheezed through; it would be interesting to compare/contrast that album with a recording of last night.
My lifelong Stones fans like to moan with me in our text chains about the “paint by numbers” set lists on these stadium jaunts, making us question—and even sit out—going to a show with a musty collection of songs for the price of a home mortgage. Tonight’s set list was a perfect mix of surprises and stalwarts that made it worth every penny!
I ran through this very parking lot 30 years ago in a panic that the Voodoo Lounge tour would be the last time they’d be coming around, and last night I wore the same shirt I scored in the parking lot that night wondering how I can make the Philadelphia show work in my calendar. The Stones roll on, and so do I. Onto show 41!
The set list was so amazing, with Heartbreaker being one of my all time favorites, I was thrilled to hear it live here in NYC. Whole Wide World is one of my favorites from Hackney Diamonds, and it was played with so much energy. Keith sang beautifully on the debut of his new song Tell Me Straight, and even Midnight Rambler was played.
The band was on fire this evening, you can clearly see Mick is giving 110% every night. Ronnie and Keith played so well together, resulting wonderful renditions of Midnight Rambler, Gimme Shelter and so many more songs that night.
When they got to the end of Satisfaction, I got a little sad, as this was my last of three shows on the US tour and I am well aware it's a miracle they are still with us and playing in 2024, and performing at this high level. I'm usually an optimistic person, but I was just looking at all of them closely one more time during that last song, because the next opportunity for me to see them would be on a potential tour next year, which is still a long time away. Thank you to the Rolling Stones for all those great concerts I was able to go to, for always giving everything every night. I really hope to see them again very soon!
Great buzz, great atmosphere in the parking lots in the afternoon. Got to see a few old friends, and meet new ones. The show itself... was a monster. From the outset, one of the things that really struck me was the fresh way they are working many of these songs. Start Me Up and Get Off of My Cloud had this new bounce, and a bit slower tempo, that really created a pocket for Keith, Steve Jordan and Daryl Jones to cook up driving rhythms that were so great. Add in Ronnie's work, and obviously the supernatural efforts of Mick, and it was clear that things were locked in. That doesn't mean tight, actually quite the opposite. It was one of those nights where the feel, ...the "roll" of rock n' roll, took over. Those are the best performances, and luckily for us, it's what the Stones are best at....dare I say, the best ever. Yes, they can play a lot of this in their sleep, but they bring fresh new interpretations on so much of the material. And in those first two songs, the way Steve Jordan is swinging has a lot to do with it. Great groove. And Steve wearing a suit! (Have to believe it may have been a subtle nod to Charlie's impeccable style.)
We heard the soundcheck from the parking lot, so we had a good idea of what the fresh additions would be tonight. Bitch, then Angry, and the vote winner Heartbreaker. The first 5 songs of the night pretty much blew everyone away with hard rock, big energy, and I gotta say it again...groove and swing. Wild Horses gets a second play at MetLife, followed by Tumbling Dice, Whole Wide World (...what a great, great song...60+ years into the band's life...amazing.), and You Can't Always Get What You Want to finish the first half.
Band intros and then it's time for Keith, who is just as amazing at 80, as Mick. I thought about it, ...he steps up and debuts Tell Me Straight, in front of an NYC crowd and nails it !!! ...Love that song. Follow it with Little T&A, and it was a Keith set that will be hard to beat.
Usually from there, we know exactly what we're going to get, but the band had one more surprise. After hammering through Sympathy and Honky Tonk Women, they decide to put Miss You on the shelf and switch in with Midnight Rambler! That takes some courage and again, another dose of stamina. Much more hard work, and much more reward for us, and them. Keith and Ronnie carrying the big guns, and Mick working, working, working.... harp, running, singing, dancing and slicing around the entire stage set. We are all so used to seeing this...but come on! It's not 1989, it's not 2002, or '05, or 2012, or '13, or '15......or '19.....or '21. IT IS NOW 2024.... MICK JAGGER IS 80....KEITH RICHARDS IS 80. Ronnie is 76.... And they,.. and the whole band, are just putting on a clinic, ..rocking the hell out of every note, every song. (By the way, the "new" drummer ...is 67. And he is bringing some real swing to these shows.)
So, you put Rambler in for it's 2024 debut, and that takes you into Gimme Shelter, Paint it Black and Jumping Jack Flash to end the main set. All of them, played with a kick and a fire, nearly two hours into the show. By the way, on JJF, Keith was moving and slashing, diving and dashing, doing all the classic Keith gestures, all while driving the song with his rhythm leads.
And now, you come back for the encore, which starts with a new, instant classic ...Sweet Sounds of Heaven. Again, we're kinda used to it, because it was installed on opening night, and just fits perfectly. This gospel epic is just another jawdropper, in a show filled with them. I was mentioning past years on the calendar earlier. Think about this... Imagine you don't know there is a new album. We've been getting Stones shows since 2006 without true new material, from a new album. And then you read the setlist from this night. You see songs called "Angry", "Whole Wide World", a new Keith song? "Tell Me Straight", and a track they put in the encore that's brand new!?!? "Sweet Sounds of Heaven." This is crazy! And they're doing it in a packed stadium, and blowing the crowd away.
Oh, and there's one more song. Satisfaction. Played for over 6 minutes, with Keith ripping through Chuck Berry riffs with a smile, still focused, and Mick pouring out everything HE'S got, eventually dropping to his knees, while still dancing and bopping. ...What else can they do?...What else can I say?
The only other thing I can say is.... If I look back at the reviews I've written for the dozens of other shows I've attended from the late 90's to now, from stadiums, to arenas, to theatres, even the two nights at the Beacon for Shine A Light... year after year, they just keep amazing me, and now might be the most amazing, because it just...keeps...going, and all of it at this incredible level of effort, talent, love for the music, and fun. See ya in Cleveland!
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Hendrik Mulder
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Victor Woods
Photo by Curt Claymont
Photo by Ken Lund
Photo by Rama
Photo by Rama
Photo by Gerard - Exile Stones
Photo by Gerard - Exile Stones
Photo by Gerard - Exile Stones
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
Photo by Bjørnulf Vik
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