The Rolling Stones @ Hartford

The Rolling Stones are strutting wildly into their fifth decade as a performing unit. After eight silent years, the Stones are touring to promote their latest studio release, A Bigger Bang. The critics are hailing the album, boasting sixteen tracks, as their best cohesive work in at least three decades.

37,000 anxious fans jammed Rentschler Field in Hartford, Connecticut on Friday, August 26, 2005, in anticipation of the World's Greatest Rock'n Roll Band. The modern facility seemed tailor-made for the Bigger Bang staging, featuring a four-story condo that housed two levels of On Stage boxes for fans to experience the Rolling Stones "On Stage".

The Stones delayed their appearance on stage, but it was worth the wait. Launching the concert with "Start Me Up", the crowd was energized for an evening of excitement. Keith Richards' guitar strokes stoked the expectations of fans as Mick Jagger made his entrance on the massive stage.

The Glimmer Twins (Mick & Keith) could easily be mistaken for Dorian Grey's offspring, showing visible signs of roadwear, but ready to rock on their sixteenth North American tour. Drummer Charlie Watts, at a distinguished 64, just might resemble your grandfather, but his commanding power behind the skins is undiminished.

The Stones' sticksman overcame an apprehensive encounter with throat cancer last year only to endure surviving a serious head-on collision in January. The affectionate applause afforded Watts when he is introduced on stage is simply heart-warming. His broad smile reveals his appreciation for the admiration Stones fans welcome him with every performance.

"She's So Cold", one of the tour highlights, is a fast-paced pop-rocker from their 1980 album Emotional Rescue. The song makes its setlist debut, having not been played live since the 1981 Tattoo You Tour. The first of the new numbers, "Rough Justice", cranked live. Supported by Ronnie Wood's bottleneck lead guitar playing, the tune has that identifiable Stones-style sound.

Harkening back to their psychedelic period, the haunting melody to "Ruby Tuesday" was actually composed by the late Brian Jones on recorder in the recording studio. With the crowd picking up the chorus lyrics, Richards played acoustic guitar to compliment the instrumentation on this beautiful ballad.

The reggae anthem "Get Up, Stand Up" was an odd cover-song for a stadium concert. Although better suited for an arena, Jagger must be motivated on a personal level to perform a protest song in response to the stormy climate of international political opinion. With Sir Mick sporting an electric guitar, the band whipped up audience aggression for a climactic finish.

Richards, having been granted U.S. citizenship, greeted Rentschler Field warmly, "Good evening Hartford. Us locals must stick together". His first of two songs was a new contribution on A Bigger Bang, "Infamy". The quirky down-beat rocker proves the Stones can get their groove on with "Keef" at the helm, singing the spirited chorus, "You got it in for me".

The Stones assembled together on "Miss You" to ride a mini-mobile stage centered around Watts and his drumkit. The flatcar took the six principal members (with Chuck Level on keyboards & Darryl Jones on bass) out deep into the field audience. Early birds in the know had already lined up in front of the edge of the mobile B-stage to witness the Stones up close and personal.

"Oh No, Not You Again", another new rocker the Stones had premiered in Manhattan at their On Stage Press Conference, pumped up the emotions of the crowd with its humorous chorus. The major B-stage treat was the Stones' National Anthem, "Satisfaction". The musical passion exhibited by the Stones propelled their loyal fans into enthusiastic hyper-drive during the extended band-jam.

"Honky Tonk Women" signaled the mini-stage to retract and return the band onto the main stage. An inflatable flower-power logo Tongue loomed over the On Stage condo boxes. The Stones delivered an intense stage version of "Out Of Control" from 1997's Bridges To Babylon. Jagger's thematic presentation of this shifting piece worked well in a stadium setting.

The Stones pounded out a series of heavy hits to close the concert. Pyrotechnic bursts added to the menacing impact of "Sympathy For The Devil". Richards ripped on his lead guitar, torching his solo. "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was another outstanding crowd-pleaser. The stage interaction of the Glimmer Twins agitated audience arousal.

Richards' high-octane guitar intro for "Brown Sugar" influenced fans on the field to gig and groove to the Stones' musical magic. Stage staple Bobby Keys was spot-on for his sensational Saxophone solo. Woodie's fierce guitar solo fueled the crescendo coda, enhanced by a flurry of fireworks that left Rentschler clamoring for more.

And the Stones responded with two encores to reward Hartford for their thunderous applause. Once again, Richards on electric guitar jump-started a blistering rendition of "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Jagger dressed in a lime shirt, teased the crowd by venturing out on the catwalk to the edge of the B-stage. Fans rushed the center of the field for a closer glimpse of their musical idol.

If that encore jam wasn't enough, the Stones kicked it into overdrive with their 1974 single, "It's Only Rock'n Roll". The rhythm section of Watts & Jones spiked this classic rocker while Richards set his lead solo afire. The crowd cheered as Jagger sprinted across the mammoth stage, defying his sextigenarian status. An intense band-jam ensued to close their appearance in Hartford.

The ecstatic audience did not want the Stones to retire off stage. The entire band ensemble took a bow together before departing the Bigger Bang stage. Jagger, Richards, Watts & Wood remained on stage to bow together and convey their sincere appreciation to Connecticut. A barrage of fireworks commenced afterwards once the Stones had exited Rentschler Field.

Hartford setlist: Start Me Up * You Got Me Rocking * She's So Cold * Tumbling Dice * Rough Justice * Ruby Tuesday * Beast Of Burden * All Down The Line * Get Up, Stand Up * band introductions * Infamy * The Worst * Miss You (to B-stage) * Oh No, Not You Again (B-stage) * Satisfaction (B-stage) * Honky Tonk Women (from B-stage) * Out Of Control * Sympathy For The Devil * Jumpin' Jack Flash * Brown Sugar * Encore: You Can't Always Get What You Want * It's Only Rock'n Roll

RockonTour Issue #48
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Hartford welcomes the Rolling Stones
The Bigger the Bang, the Better the Band

by Timothy Tilghman