I’ve been going to rock concerts for more than thirty years – (but much less frequently these days) - and I have never seen the Stones. I was a fan when I was about nine or ten – they were sexy, arrogant, upset the establishment – and equally importantly my parents. By the time I was a teenager and able to go to gigs they were the establishment and it was hip not to like them. But hell they’ve been playing together 45 years now. Generations of rock heroes have come and gone but the Stones are still strutting it. Let’s go and pay respect.
I went without too many expectations. Mostly about big crowds, a distant stage, overpriced beer and burgers, smelly toilets and overpaid prima donnas. But they were awesome. They fully deserve their reputation as the best rock n roll band in the world. Because they are. Their music has become so familiar that it sometime seems like wallpaper. Hell you even hear it in shopping malls these days. But to see them play it live is something else. From the opening chords of Start Me Up we all knew this was the real McCoy. Everyone knows the Stones songs – but seeing them played live makes you remember what all the fuss was about.
Watching them do Its All Over Now and Paint It Black bought back memories of watching them on top of the pop in black and white and my parents or uncle saying they’ll never last. And I bet Keith or Mick’s mothers said to them -“”yes but what you are going to do when you grow old?” Against all odds they’re still doing it and better than how many generations of rockers who followed. Mick is a bundle of energy – a Pan like figure who never grows old – and is sometimes ridiculed for that – but who is still the best rock front man in the world. At 65 he has the body, energy and arrogance of a 20 year old. He must have done 10km up and down the stage never stopping- one can’t stop thinking he has made some Faustian pact and there is a painting of him mouldering away in an attic a la Dorian Grey. Keef, whose continued presence on this planet defies most bookmaker’s odds goes walkabouts a lot too, though often to light up another fag. If they ever ban smoking in public halls surely they will think about calling it a day. Seeing Mick and Keef in the same frame on the video screen was one of those 'shivers up the spine' moments, that don’t happen very often.
The acoustics were superb, the stage set well thought through, the effects were special and were sparingly used so they did surprise and the back up band tighter than an ozzie's grip on a beer can. I never really thought I wanted to see the Stones – but I’m so glad I did. Quite simply one of, if not the best, gigs I have ever seen. It reminded me that rock n roll has a special place in my life.
I went without too many expectations. Mostly about big crowds, a distant stage, overpriced beer and burgers, smelly toilets and overpaid prima donnas. But they were awesome. They fully deserve their reputation as the best rock n roll band in the world. Because they are. Their music has become so familiar that it sometime seems like wallpaper. Hell you even hear it in shopping malls these days. But to see them play it live is something else. From the opening chords of Start Me Up we all knew this was the real McCoy. Everyone knows the Stones songs – but seeing them played live makes you remember what all the fuss was about.
Watching them do Its All Over Now and Paint It Black bought back memories of watching them on top of the pop in black and white and my parents or uncle saying they’ll never last. And I bet Keith or Mick’s mothers said to them -“”yes but what you are going to do when you grow old?” Against all odds they’re still doing it and better than how many generations of rockers who followed. Mick is a bundle of energy – a Pan like figure who never grows old – and is sometimes ridiculed for that – but who is still the best rock front man in the world. At 65 he has the body, energy and arrogance of a 20 year old. He must have done 10km up and down the stage never stopping- one can’t stop thinking he has made some Faustian pact and there is a painting of him mouldering away in an attic a la Dorian Grey. Keef, whose continued presence on this planet defies most bookmaker’s odds goes walkabouts a lot too, though often to light up another fag. If they ever ban smoking in public halls surely they will think about calling it a day. Seeing Mick and Keef in the same frame on the video screen was one of those 'shivers up the spine' moments, that don’t happen very often.
The acoustics were superb, the stage set well thought through, the effects were special and were sparingly used so they did surprise and the back up band tighter than an ozzie's grip on a beer can. I never really thought I wanted to see the Stones – but I’m so glad I did. Quite simply one of, if not the best, gigs I have ever seen. It reminded me that rock n roll has a special place in my life.
Photo copyright http:www.iorr.org/
For other reviews and photos check http://www.iorr.org/tour05/nijmegen.htm
2 comments:
You're absolutly right on....one of the best ever concerts I've had the great pleasure of seeing/hearing. The wait in the slog was well worth 2x the price of admission. Everybody in the crowd was into it and the vibes were incredible. You devil you!
Have seen the Stones since 1975.
And as great and more, "believable" when we were all younger, its incredible how they can still not only rock but the songs still have somewhat of a true ring to them and they sound great.
As long as they dont try and give it any "Vegas Style" crap ( and they have on some songs live in the 90's)they are worth the price of admission.
Post a Comment