The Rolling Stones - Hyde Park - Sat 6th July 2013

Live Reviews

‘This could be the last time’ … I guess we think that every time we go to see The Rolling Stones, as they get older, we get older and price of a ticket keeps climbing.

Today however, was a special day in London Town, not only because it was the band’s 40th anniversary (near enough) of their last Hyde Park gig but because, it was a blisteringly hot and sunny day as well!!!!

AEG have done a good job in revitalising the Hyde Park concert scene with their film set of a country village with two stages tucked away in tents as well as the bandstand.  ‘Fake Plastic Trees’ festooned the main stage so I think the only issue was the usual 20-30 min. queue even for a bottle of water or a £5.50 pint!

 

First off, we braved the 300 degree temperatures of one of the tents for the intensely powerful duo Drenge. The boys must have shed a few pounds during their dynamic set. First band on and first big music smiles of the day. 

 

 

 

 

Over on the main stage it was a blues master class from Garry Clark Jr. then it was the welcome return of Boxer Rebellion in one of the pavilions, for their first UK show for two years. New album under their belt, brimful of confidence, this was a great set.

 

Final band inside a tent was The Palma Violets from London (with added Milford Haven ancestry) who proceeded to tear the place apart. The next Libertines? Sleazy, aggressive, high energy Rock ‘n’ Roll, undoubtedly one for the future!

 

The Temper Trap and The Vaccines, never really sparked on such a big stage in front of such a large crowd but as time drifted towards 8.30pm the expectation and anticipation rose.

 

I think this was the one of the most mixed crowds I have ever seen at a gig and all rose as one as The Rolling Stones took to the stage with a mighty ‘Start Me Up’ which got the crowd dancin’ and cameras popping.

 

The band were in good spirits throughout, ‘All Down The Line’, ‘Beast of Burden’ and ‘Bitch’ all got a work-out away the current set list. Mick Taylor making it an ever brilliant Midnight Rambler.

 

Also gone since returning to the UK are the ‘star guests’ Garry Clark Jr appeared on ‘ Bitch’  The band’s own Lisa Fisher starred magnificently on ‘Gimme Shelter’.

 

Whatever you think of the 50th anniversary concerts (I give them a big thumbs up), you surely can’t be in any doubt about the band's history, let alone  the achievement of still being together and, still putting on such fantastic shows.

 

Long live the Stones!

 

Pete

 

 

 

 

Start Me Up

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)

Tumbling Dice

All Down the Line

Beast of Burden

Doom and Gloom

Bitch

Paint It Black

Honky Tonk Women

You Got the Silver

Before They Make Me Run

Miss You

Midnight Rambler

Gimme Shelter

Jumpin' Jack Flash

Sympathy for the Devil

Brown Sugar

 

Encore:

You Can't Always Get What You Want

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction  

 

Photos