It's two years since The Stones kicked off their Bigger Bang
Tour in the US - and when I see them we are just two shows from the
end.
It's two years since The Stones kicked off their Bigger Bang Tour in
the US - and when I see them we are just two shows from the end. I say
we because I feel like I've been on the journey with them - seeing
Jagger, Richards, Watts and Wood four times on this tour alone. I was
lucky enough to be in Boston to hear the opening chords of the tour. Not
once have they been anything other than breathtakingly brilliant.
They've netted a few hundred million quid, broken all kinds of box
office records, played the same songs hundreds of times - always with
the same energy and flair. The best in the business.
Jagger changes his spots depending on where he is. In America he's
global corporate entertainer - with a mid-Atlantic twang. In Italy he's
European man of taste - speaking the native language. Back home he's
pure Dartford lad - turning on the estuary accent.
Richards looks surprised, confused and cool wherever he is - only he
and Ron could get away with lighting up their fags in defiance of the
cig laws. His now-obligatory solo spots are truly terrible.
Excruciatingly poor. This evening he admits: "I know I'm bad."
Ronnie is a guitar-solo filling machine. Every gap is fleshed out
with a perfect melody. Every time slightly different. How long have I
got? Eight bars? Eight hours? No problem. I'll keep churning it out.
Charlie is dignified perfection on the smallest drum kit you've ever seen. Top lip pouting. Best clothes of them all.
Every space they've walked on to has become a party. Everyone I've
stood next to has danced - including the middle-aged woman who had
driven 800 miles on her own to Boston. Two years on the show has lost
nothing. They love it. We love it. I'd go and see them every night if I
could.
SET LIST
Start Me Up
You Got Me Rocking
Rough Justice
Rocks Off
Let It Bleed
Beast Of Burden
Can't You Hear Me Knocking
I'll Go Crazy
Tumbling Dice
You Got The Silver (Keith)
I Wanna Hold You (Keith)
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (to B-stage)
Respectable (B-stage)
Satisfaction (B-stage)
Honky Tonk Women (to main stage)
Sympathy For The Devil
Paint It Black
Jumping Jack Flash
thanks to
CAUGHT LIVE!: ROLLING STONES at Mirror Lifestyle