25 years ago, in June of 1999, the Rolling Stones were a few days away from a massive and highly-anticipated return to London’s Wembley Stadium and a pair of shows in front of a total of nearly 150,000. So, as a bit of a warm-up, the band set-up shop for an evening at the Empire, in the group’s home turf of Shepherd’s Bush.  By comparison, the Empire- a tight, tiny theater- was much the opposite of what awaited at Wembley.

Still, with family, friends, and fortunate fans crammed inside on an early summer’s night, the Stones worked through an 18-song set, dusting off a rarity or two, keeping the spectacle to a bare minimum, and offering a performance that resonated with 30-plus years of winks, nods, and pure rock-and-roll. Both Glimmer Twins- Mick Jagger and Keith Richards- chose drummer Charlie Watts as their target for a few good-natured asides; with Richards particularly animated most of the show- Cheshire grins, tossing picks, and even dropping to his knees for a surprising slide.

It was the gymnastic bump of energy the show needed after a relatively sedate opening “Shattered” that heard Jagger rolling the melody around a bit as they settled into a lukewarm groove. Yet, by the following “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It),” the veterans hit their familiar sly and seductive stride, with Jagger on his third shirt-change by its conclusion. They worked through a few more classic Some Girls cuts, then consciously dug up a nugget or two- with “Melody” and “I Got the Blues.” 

Shifting to the contemporary entries, the Stones then cranked out several from Voodoo Lounge and Bridges to Babylon before welcoming support artist, Sheryl Crow, to stomp the boards on the favorite, “Honky Tonk Women.” As for the performance’s video presentation, there is ample use of split-screen shots throughout, pulling in closer the onstage action in an already-intimate setting. Too, there are the requisite, random crowd shots- the lucky, tucked-in belting out every word, even carrying a coda of “Saint of Me,” much to Jagger’s delight.

By the time the legends saddle up the warhorses to close the show, including a bristling encore of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” the point is more than made: The Rolling Stones were, of course, plenty ready to rip this joint, and just as ready to take on Wembley. Two-and-a-half decades later, and this indefatigable force is ready, still.