More about: The Rolling Stones

As majestic as ever, the Rolling Sones cruised into the capital last night for their first London show of their highly anticipated No Filter tour, with a little help from LG.

Swaggering on stage in only the way that Liam Gallagher can, he launches straight into ‘Rock ’n’ Roll Star’, swiftly followed by 'Morning Glory’. With a set that’s more Oasis than As You Were, it’s only when he begins third song ‘Wall Of Glass’ that we get a taste of the singer’s solo stuff. Offering a touching tribute to the Manchester attacks, a year on to the day, his set ends on the poignant ‘Live Forever’. 

As the sun sets graciously, the multitude of people inside the London Stadium only really hits when you take a slow pan around of the vicinity. There isn’t an empty seat in the house or a blank space on the floor, with each and every person inside having their very own personal Rolling Stones story. 

The music dips and the announcement is made, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome home The Rolling Stones.” And there they are. One of the most iconic rock bands in history. 

Mick Jagger leaps on stage with all the agility and excitement of a Labrador puppy, a sense of vigour most would find hard to muster even when faced with a free drink at the bar, and they bound into opener ‘Street Fighting Man.’ It’s not what the eagle-eyed among the audience were expecting after studying the setlist for their first show in Dublin last week, but it is lapped up feverishly all the same. 

Early on in the show Jagger takes the time to praise Liam Gallagher’s opening set. “We were excited to see him in Manchester but he wouldn’t step foot inside Old Trafford,” the singer quips about the staunch Manchester City supporter, before beginning the blistering ‘Paint It Black’. It’s followed by a Jimmy Reed cover of ‘Ride ‘Em On Down’ and tales of when the Stones would play in blues bars in Dalston - a far cry from their current setting, it’s a remarkable concept.

‘Under My Thumb’ as chosen by the masses gets an airing next before the beautiful balladry of ‘Fool To Cry’. Taking a break from showcasing those famous Jagger dance moves, the frontman then picks up and acoustic guitar for a rendition of ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’. 

As Mick introduces the band on stage during the latter half, the camaraderie shared by the quartet shines brighter than ever. "The Hogarth of Hounslow, Mr Ronnie Wood” and “the Wild Man of Wembley Charlie Watts” get their individual moments in the spotlight, however with no witty moniker, Jagger introduces the final member simply as “vocalist and guitarist Keith Richards.” It’s at this point that Richards gushes, “it’s truly great to be back,” takes a drag of his cigarette and takes the reigns for a couple of tracks. 

When Jagger rejoins the rest of the band they launch into ‘Midnight Rambler’, this cascades straight into ‘Start Me Up’ followed by ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ - it’s an essential masterclass in how to be rock ’n’ roll. 

‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ make up the encore for a show filled with timeless classic after timeless classic. It’s 19 songs and 19 reasons why the Rolling Stones are the greatest living rock band on the planet. 

The Rolling Stones played;

'Street Fighting Man' 
'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It')
'Tumbling Dice' 
'Paint It Black' 
'Ride 'Em On Down' 
'Under My Thumb' 
'Fool To Cry' 
'You Can't Always Get What You Want' 
'Honky Tonk Women' 
'Before They Make Me Run' 
'Slipping Away' 
'Sympathy For The Devil' 
'Miss You' 
'Midnight Rambler' 
'Start Me Up' 
'Jumpin' Jack Flash' 
'Brown Sugar' 
--
'Gimme Shelter' 
'(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'

More about: The Rolling Stones