Photo: WENN
Legendary rockers The Rolling Stones played their final show of the 50 And Counting tour in Hyde Park for the ‘British Summer Time’ festival on Saturday - and it was perhaps the grandest of finales that you could imagine.
Last weekend’s show was the first time since 1969 that the band had played at the location, when they played in tribute to late ex drummer Brian Jones. Although there are more shows rumoured, this weekend’s performance is the last for the moment.
As the sun was beginning to set Mick Jagger leapt and bounded on stage to a chorus of cheers and amid a volley of fireworks. The singer, who turns 70 this month, appeared as if possessed displaying more energy than many of today’s young performers. The set kicked off with the appropriate ‘Start Me Up’.
The band stormed through hit after hit with incredible finesse, slowing only for the opening chords of ‘Paint it Black’. With barely a note out of place they were on top form, and Jagger’s voice sailed across the crowd without a hint of acreak or a croak. The frontman could be seen at any time leaping around and running up and down frantically addressing the crowd. To make things even livelier he relentlessly dashed on and off stage throwing on different and increasingly wilder costumes. Jagger also took the time to introduce everyone on stage.
The band were joined on stage by a brass section and some back up vocalists who added diversity to the overall sound. Throughout the show there were pyrotechnics and dazzling visuals displayed on the large on stage screens featuring some creative animations, including a King Kong tribute and a zombie sequence for ‘Doom and Gloom’.
Keith Richards stepped in on vocal duties for ‘You Got the Silver’ and ‘Happy’, and the band was also reunited onstage with former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor who left the band in ’74. Taylor joined in for a rousing rendition of ‘Midnight Rambler’ and for the sensational final encore ‘I can’t get no (Satisfaction)’.
The performance was electrifying, and the ageing rockers prove they can still cut it in an ever changing musical scene. They are also a reminder of what real rock and roll stars look like.
Goodbye for now, Stones - don't be gone too long this time.
Below - Photos: The Rolling Stones live at Hyde Park
