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Live Review: The Rolling Stones

26 October 2014 | 3:26 pm | Ben E Webbs

An almost unending tirade of enormous hits... only slightly derailed by a determined nutbag who managed to breach stage security.

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I’ve never felt more Aussie than while standing on Adelaide Oval, listening to our adopted son Barnesy belt out Flame Trees, Driving Wheel, Khe Sahn, and Working Class Man.

I’m sure the 53,000 other punters would agree with me. Some of them were completely losing their minds at this point, and the main event - The Rolling Stones - was still forty minutes away.

Eventually the lights dimmed, and the stadium erupted. With a quick apology for keeping us waiting, the Stones fired up Jumping Jack Flash, the first in an almost unending tirade of enormous hits. Let’s Spend The Night Together was next, followed by It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It).

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It must be said, the band looked incredible. Jagger performed with all the exuberance he ever had, strutting from one side of the enormous stage to the next without breaking a sweat. Keith Richards’ cool swagger was prominent; he lazily strummed any number of exquisite vintage Telecasters, and every so often threw in one of his patented country-blues licks. Ronnie Wood was solid on rhythm guitar, also occasionally soloing, or switching to a beautiful pedal-steel guitar which he played with cigarette still burning from his wrinkled fingers. Jagger made some unnecessary 'Crows' and 'Power' references as the band slowed down for Wild Horses. He picked up a guitar for  Doom And Gloom, which was warmly received despite being a comparatively newer track.

It really didn’t need the slightly bonkers King Kong-themed animation sequence that went along with it on the enormous flatscreens flanking the stage.

In the days leading up to the show, fans were able to vote for a song via social media, and the winning tune was Like A Rolling Stone. “We haven’t done it in a while, but we’ll see how we go,” Jagger warned. But of course, their version was rollicking and faithful, and nothing like the version Dylan himself now favours in concert. Jagger’s harmonica was lush and tuneful, and an obvious nod to the legendary composer. “He’s a such a sweetheart when you get to know him,” Jagger said.
Richards took center stage for a couple of songs and demonstrated that, under that smokey, croaking cloak he possesses a lilting tenor that he is in full control of.

That cowbell riff signalled the beginning of Honky Tonk Woman, and had young and old dancing in the aisles. It was a superb rendition and really didn’t need the slightly bonkers King Kong-themed animation sequence that went along with it on the enormous flatscreens flanking the stage.

Jagger donned another of his myriad sparkly jackets as the set rolled on. Former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor joined the band for an extended Midnight Rambler, which was closely followed by Miss You and then Gimme Shelter. Veteran Stones back-up singer Lisa Fischer was given a spotlight moment here, as she walked the catwalk with Jagger and unleashed her phenomenal voice. She was unbelievable.

This was the jammiest part of the set and it did linger just a moment too long. The situation was remedied with Start Me Up, Sympathy For The Devil (Jagger now in outrageous red feather boa) and Brown Sugar, in quick succession. Charlie Watts played with exactly the kind of power you’d expect from a 73-year-old, but he is solid as the proverbial rock. He pounded away on a Gretsch floor tom as Sugar stretched into the seventh minute, before finally winding up the jam - and the show -  in typically ad-hoc fashion.

Jagger now in a purple ensemble and slouch cap, and Wood in the best damn cardigan I have ever seen.

The encore began with the heavenly Young Adelaide Voices and Adelaide Chamber Singers performing the choral introduction to You Can’t Always Get What You Want. This was a beautiful touch, and a far more endearing engagement with the host city than quips about 'pie floaters' and 'frog cakes'. The song itself was, of course, an epic singalong, and its optimistic philosophy seemed to have rubbed off on the crowd. There was palpable good cheer in the air as the night drew to a close.

Jagger now in a purple ensemble and slouch cap, and Wood in the best damn cardigan I have ever seen, launched into Satisfaction. Its iconic introduction was only slightly derailed by a determined nutbag who managed to breach stage security. He was brought down in a matter of seconds in what Jagger saw as a clean AFL tackle. And with a puff of fireworks and an deafening cheer, the show was over. 

Earlier this week photographer Jennifer Sando snapped The Rolling Stones at press-appearance upon arrival in Adelaide. Photos here.