The Rolling Stones present no indicators of slowing down as they start their newest tour with Texas present
HOUSTON — Time marches on and all good issues should come to an finish. However don’t inform that to The Rolling Stones.
What many imagine to be the best rock ’n’ roll band on the earth confirmed no indicators of slowing down anytime quickly as they kicked off their newest tour Sunday night time at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
The Stones have been touring for greater than 60 years. Frontman Mick Jagger and lead guitarist Keith Richards are each 80, with guitarist Ronnie Wooden not far behind at 76. Their tour is being sponsored partly by AARP.
However throughout a vibrant two-hour present, the Stones performed with the vitality of band that was on tour for the primary time.
“It’s nice to be again within the Lone Star State,” Jagger instructed the packed stadium, crammed with longtime followers, many carrying light live performance shirts from earlier excursions.
Jagger usually strutted up and down the stage with seemingly boundless vitality whereas Richards and Wooden performed many acquainted guitar riffs beloved by followers. Jagger usually led the viewers in sing-alongs.
“The vitality degree is up and it’s at all times up with them. The age doesn’t present,” Dale Skjerseth, the Stones’ manufacturing director, mentioned Friday earlier than the live performance.
The Stones have hit the street to assist the discharge of their newest album, “Hackney Diamonds,” the band’s first document of authentic music since 2005.
Houston was the primary cease on the band’s 16-city tour throughout the U.S. and Canada. Different cities on the tour embrace New Orleans, Philadelphia and Vancouver, British Columbia. The tour ends on July 17 in Santa Clara, California.
Throughout Sunday’s 18-song live performance set record, the Stones performed a number of tracks off the brand new document, together with lead single “Offended.” Additionally they performed classics together with “Sympathy for the Satan,” “Gimmer Shelter,” Honky Tonk Ladies” and “Begin Me Up.”
After taking part in “Beast of Burden,” Jagger mentioned that concertgoers in Houston had voted to incorporate it on the set record.
“You possibly can’t go unsuitable with that,” one man within the viewers could possibly be heard screaming.
The Stones additionally performed some sudden decisions, together with “Rocks Off,” from their 1972 double album “Exile on Major St.” and “Out of Time,” a 1966 track that Jagger mentioned in the course of the live performance had not ever been performed by the band within the U.S.
With the 2021 dying of drummer Charlie Watts, the Stones at the moment are comprised of the core trio of Jagger, Richards and Wooden. On Sunday, they have been backed by varied musicians together with two keyboardists, a brand new drummer, backup singers and a brass part.
Whereas the stage was surrounded by a big assortment of video screens projecting photos all through the present, the primary focus of the live performance was the band and their songs
Earlier than Sunday’s live performance, Jagger hung out on Friday touring NASA’s Johnson House Middle in suburban Houston, posting images on his Instagram account of him with astronauts inside Mission Management.
“I had an incredible journey to the house heart,” Jagger mentioned.
When requested if the band may be interested by retiring, Skjerseth mentioned he doubts that may occur.
“This isn’t the top. They’re very enthused,” he mentioned.
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Comply with Juan A. Lozano on X, previously Twitter.
