The Rolling Stones play their 203rd show in London’s Hyde Park
Arguably one of the greatest British rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time, The Rolling Stones played to an electric crowd at their final BST Hyde Park show this summer.
Photo: Press
Support came from both ones to watch Courtney Barnett and Newcastle’s pride and joy Sam Fender, with the latter fresh from his first ever Glastonbury set. Sam warmed the crowd up perfectly with his vivacious energy and festival-ready, anthems before the titans that are the Stones took to the stage.
Jagger who — may I add — turns 80 this month, darted onto the stage on a beautiful summer’s evening wearing a gold floral embellished jacket and a beaming smile, living up to his rock ‘n’ roll status. The show started with a fitting video tribute to their late drummer, Charlie Watts who passed away last year to which Jagger reflected upon stating how the band had been playing with Charlie for 60 years and dedicating this show to Charlie himself.
“Welcome to the American Express British Summer Time Covid super spreader event,” Jagger joked before opening with Get Off of My Cloud, a track that enveloped the crowd in gently. This was followed by 19th Nervous Breakdown, after which Jagger noted that this is their 203rd show they have played in London. You can see each and every person, regardless of their age, belting out the songs like there is no date on them. That’s the beauty of the Stones: timeless.
Tumbling Dice welcomed the backing singers who gave the show more of a performance feel by adding that extra jazzy element. Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood pleased everyone with a few duets together on stage, wowing the crowd with their impressive musicianship and infectious energy (especially during Out of Time).
As the sun began to set on Hyde Park, You Can’t Always Get What You Want felt apt as a slower track but in the hazy surroundings worked perfectly. Honky Tonk Women saw Jagger strutting up and down the stage, having everyone right in the palm of his hands chanting every lyric back word for word. Leading into I Miss You, creating a full band moment with the backing singers complemented by more musicians on the saxophones.
Sir Mick regularly broke up the songs by chatting to the audience, even given his status he made the audience laugh and feel even more endeared by his presence. In between Midnight Gambler and Paint it Black, he highlighted all the cultural things that are taking place right now — such as Wimbledon and Formula One — to even mentioning seeing Adele last night, stating that he “owns more sparkly dresses than her” and earning a roar from the crowd.
Paint it Black had strong black and white visuals throughout, with Ronnie treating our ears to his effortless riffs. The anthems that are Crossfire Hurricane and Jumpin’ Jack Flash began to close the show with Sir Mick and Keith Richards regularly showing us all the amazing personal and professional relationship that they have.
Sympathy for the Devil led to the closing of the show, continuing to satisfy the thousands of devoted Stones fans who — given their enduring time in the industry — still have it. The closer was inevitably I Can’t Get No Satisfaction and had everyone singing at the top of their lungs again.
The beauty of this show really was seeing everyone of all ages, babies, children, adults and elders all here for one thing and that thing alone being a band whose legacy will live on for years to come. This band really does know how to bring everyone together and, given the past two years, we all needed that release of being as one, in a field dancing and singing our hearts out and what better way than being in the presence of the greatest rock n roll band in history. Viva La Rolling Stones!
