Well the answer for me was simple. The Stones are a huge band, much talked about and much publicized. I guess I’m almost a victim of the marketing. The Rolling Stones- come and see a load of old guys perform some great tunes. Well that’s the idea. For me however there was one other important factor, my sad diversions into the dark side has often left me curious about all things technical. With the Stones you can be assured of something special, given their silly budgets.
So what about the gig, well they struggled to keep in time, played some of they’re best hits and covered some blues stuff rather poorly in my opinion. Mick still thinks that Keith is the best guitarist in the world, oh dear, and well despite their age and numerous drugs abuses though out the years they are still amazingly lively on stage.
The stage itself was huge, the centre piece of which was one of the most versatile and sosphicated video walls I’ve seen to date. It done some funky separation stuff and when it wasn’t showing video feeds of the Stones on stage it was used for animations. The animations themselves were great and the only real shame, in my mind, was that we didn’t have them running through the whole show presenting a story of some discription.
Special mention has to go to the giant, and I mean giant, flame projectors across the top of the stage. These things were beasts and probably used several gas bottles each just to get them though Sympathy For The Devil. They also had one of the longest and largest confetti blows I’ve ever seen.
Patrick Woodcrofts’ lighting was everything you’d expect from the man and the sound wasn’t too shabby either.
All in all it was probably the best stadium gig I’ve seen. Though in saying that I’ve only seen 3 stadium gigs. It could have been better though, the Stones playing in time would have helped for a start, the speaker array removed from my sight line, more off their own material and less of other people stuff and that would have done me. I’m sure some will say that I’m being to harsh and others not harsh enough. Well if you really want a balanced professional opinion go and use google. Was it worth it, probably.. and if you want to see some pictures then have a look here .