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THE ROLLING STONES
Twickenham, Sunday 20th August 2006.

Tonight's show was supposed to have taken place at the brand new Wembley Stadium, but seeing as this has become a national disaster we are instead at Twickenham. This is allegedly the Stones 1999th gig and it is fitting that we are just a few miles down the road from where the band started out 45 years ago.

Support band Feeder played what felt like a short opening set. Unfortunately for them it had just started to rain and they received a somewhat lukewarm reception, with exception to the highlight of their set 'Buck Rogers'. Then, 20 years since we first witnessed the 'Mexican Wave' at the 1986 World Cup, we were treated to 30 minutes of standing up with our hands in the air every couple of minutes.

The Stones opened their set with 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and the 2 hour show that followed was packed with classic hits, there was also 3 tracks from the 'Bigger Bang' CD and Ray Charles 'Night Time Is The Right Time'.

The band were energetic and this was one of the best Stones shows that I have seen over the years, Ronnie Wood is playing some of the best guitar we have seen from him in years, Charlie Watts held the whole thing together- as ever, and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards performed better than most bands half their age.

One thing that you can always count on with a Stones show is that it will be a show. The stage setting was great and featured a middle section that moved out through the crowd to the centre of the stadium, where the band performed 4 songs, including an outstanding stripped down version of 'Miss You' and an updated run through 'Get Off My Cloud'. During 'Honky Tonk Woman' a giant Stones 'Tongue' logo inflated over the main stage and then the band were back up there for what, in my opinion, was the best 'Sympathy For The Devil' that I have ever seen.

If this was, as hinted at recently, the last tour from the band - then they will certainly go out at a high point.

Set list -

Jumpin' Jack Flash - Start Me Up - Oh No Not You Again - Sway - Ruby Tuesday - Streets Of Love - Tumblin' Dice - Midnight Rambler - Night Time Is The Right Time - Slipping Away - Before They Make Me Run - Miss You (b-stage) - Rough Justice (b-stage) - Get Off My Cloud (b-stage) - Honky Tonk Woman (b-stage) - Sympathy For The Devil - It's Only Rock And Roll Brown Sugar - Encore - Satisfaction

Review by Nikk Gunns