The Rolling Stones wrapped up MetLife Stadium run (night 2 video, setlist & review)
Everynight Charley has seen The Rolling Stones approximately 75 times since the 60’s (and countless other concerts), and he claims that Thursday’s show — the first of two at NJ’s MetLife Stadium — was “the best rock concert in history.” I can not confirm nor deny this lofty declaration, but expectations were high going into night two on Sunday, Memorial Day eve at the once-again packed NYC-area show in the same arena where I also recently saw two nights of Metallica, and where Taylor Swift also appeared last year.
“We’ve played this area around 100 times so it’s like a home away from home,” an 80-years-young Mick Jagger told the loving audience at some point during the 19-song show that ran from 9:30pm to to 11:30 after an 8pm opening set by locals Lawrence (their next area show is headlining Radio City).
The stamina and dexterity Mick has, not to mention his ability to still dance, play harmonica, regularly address the crowd like a seasoned showman, and most importantly sing legendary song after song from their vast catalog is part of what makes a Stones show so amazing. Lesser (and much younger) frontpeople often limit movement to part of a small stage. Mick traverses the giant cross-shaped arena stage all night, front to back, side to side, giving each section a closer look as he goes.
Somehow without even stealing the show, backup powerhouse Chanel Haynes shared the spotlight with Mick while doing the night’s rendition of iconic 1969 track “Gimme Shelter.” The two trade vocals and stage positions before meeting up in one of the most crowd-pleasing moments of the show.
Halfway through, Mick introduces the large band, a variety of musicians of varying ages who have been with the band for a varying amount of years . Chanel — who previously played the lead in the Tina Turner musical — has only been singing with the band since 2022, but four members have been there since the 80s and early 90s, which is longer than most bands have existed total. Of course, the biggest spotlight was on the other two longest-running members, who like Mick seem to have drank from the fountain of youth.
Seeing fellow original member Keith Richards (also 80) sing and play guitar all night is as much a thrill as watching Mick, and the combined trio of Keith, Mick, and guitarist Ronnie Wood (76, who joined in 1975) is part of what makes the show so special. The fact that they still sound like a band at the height of their powers is what brings them into unmissable territory.
No matter where you were in the arena, the sound was clear and amazing. The high-def video screens are clear from any angle and make sure you get a closeup view of what’s going on on the giant stage, possibly a bit far from your seat in the sky. Joy could be felt and seen from fans old and young to very young (a little girl was having the time of her life way past her bedtime a few seats over) from start to finish as people sang, danced and smiled along.
After the intros, Keith also got his chance to take center stage doing lead vocals on two tracks. First was the live debut of “Tell Me Straight” which was one of four they played off surprisingly-great new album Hackney Diamonds. The moving Dylan-like rendition was one of my favorite moments, followed by Keith doing his more classic “Little T&A.”
The show started with “Start Me Up,” the two-song encore ended with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and there was never a dull moment in-between. They mix the setlists up every night, and on Sunday “Heartbreaker,” “Bitch,” and “Midnight Rambler” all made their tour debuts. “Paint it Black” into “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” was the undeniable combo that closed the pre-encore set, and the list goes on. Check out the full setlist and attendee-taken video below.
The Rolling Stones’ tour continues through July, wrapping up with the recently-added final show in Missouri. See video and the setlist from night one at MetLife Stadium on Thursday HERE.
Pick up a special collector’s edition book celebrating The Stones’ early years and vinyl reissues, including an exclusive gold pressing of 12×5, in the BV store.
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
SETLIST: THE ROLLING STONES @ METLIFE STADIUM, 5/27/2024
Start Me Up
Get Off of My Cloud
Bitch
Angry
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)
Wild Horses
Tumbling Dice
Whole Wide World
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Tell Me Straight
Little T&A
Sympathy for the Devil
Honky Tonk Women
Midnight Rambler
Gimme Shelter
Paint It Black
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Encore:
Sweet Sounds of Heaven
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
