In the fall, The Rolling Stones released their first album of original material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang, the blue-rock-laden Hackney Diamonds. While the set marked a pivotal turning point for the veteran act, following the passing of drummer Charlie Watts, it also promised a return to the arena circuit for live shows in support of the new set. Staying true to the implied arrival of concerts, the band launched night one of their extensive North American run on Sunday, April 28, at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
With 60 years of experience harnessed to an iconic repertoire and on-stage prestige, the esteemed entertainers honed in on double meaning with their first song as a fitting tour opener and play on meaning with “Start Me Up.” Continuing with classic picks, Mick Jagger feverishly moved across the stage, showing off his boy-like energy while reminding the audience, “Get Off of My Cloud.” Exile on Main St. pick, “Rocks Off,” arrived before a rare “Out of Time” performance, which hadn’t seen a live stage since Aug. 3, 2022.
After warming up the crowd, Hackney Diamonds‘ cut “Angry” was the first pick from the band’s latest set, which inevitably gave way to the fan-voted song “Beast of Burden.” With seemingly boundless energy extending from Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood, the longtime bandmates delivered a live debut of their new cut, “Mess It Up,” and continued with top-played “Tumbling Dice” and “ Can’t Always Get What You Want” with ensuing band introductions.
Rather than wind things down, the band seemed to feed off the energy of the arena as they worked through a run of classics, including “Sympathy For The Devil,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Miss You,” Paint It Black,” and “Jumping Jack Flash.” With the arrival of the night’s encore, The Stones delivered their third and final Hackney Diamonds song, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” essentially lamenting the roster of tour material as overwhelmingly classic as opposed to a presentation of the new Hackney set.
For the final delivery, the band went with another oldie but goodie, “Satisfaction.” With one date down, The Rolling Stones will continue to mark the map with appearances. They will resume their run on Thursday, May 2, with a highly anticipated headliner slot at the 2024 Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans. For more information on the band’s current tour, visit rollingstones.com.
Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur
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The Rolling Stones
NRG Stadium – Houston
April 29, 2024
Set: Start Me Up, Get Off My Cloud, Rocks Off, Out Of Time, Angry, Beast Of Burden#, Mess It Up^, Tumbling Dice, Can’t Always Get What You Want, Little T&A+, Sympathy For The Devil, Gimme Shelter, Honky Tonk Women, Miss You, Paint It Black, Jumping Jack Flash
Enc.: Sweet Sounds Of Heaven, Satisfaction
Notes:
# Fan-voted
^ Live debut
+ Bust out, last performed in 2016
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