The Rolling Stones at the London Stadium, 25/5/18

Nearly six years after seeing the Rolling Stones for the first time at the O2 Arena, I found myself reunited with the band at the massive London Stadium in Stratford. I was keenly aware of the possibility that the band might have slowed down since I last saw them, but fortunately this wasn't the case; if anything, intervening years had loosened them up a little, and they looked and sounded in fine form. 

The customary introduction - "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the world, The Rolling Stones!" -was followed by the eardrum -shattering roar of Keith Richards blasting out the opening chords of 'Jumpin' Jack Flash'. From behind him came the steady, swinging drumbeat of Charlie Watts, the wiry lead guitar of Ronnie Wood, and the all-singing, all-dancing, inexplicable phenomenon that is Mick Jagger.

From start to finish, the show was a masterclass in stadium-sized rock 'n' roll, with the spectacle that has sometimes overwhelmed previous tours taking a backseat to the music itself. The highlights came thick and fast: Keith channeling the spirit of Chuck Berry on 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll'; opening act Florence Welch joining Mick onstage to sing 'Wild Horses'; Keith stepping up to the mike to sing 'The Worst' with Ronnie adding beautiful pedal steel. For me, the song of the night was the dramatic 'Midnight Rambler', which served as a thrilling reminder of the menace the Stones once embodied and, on this evidence, can still summon when necessary. The 80,000-strong crowd was with them every step of the way, and the band fed off their energy and channelled it into the songs.

As I had done in 2012, I left the show with the impression that this is not a band planning to call it quits anytime soon. Long may they run!


Happy Birthday to Ronnie (1st June) and Charlie (2nd June)

Thanks to Alex