It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But We Still Like It) The Rolling Stones Bring Their 2015 Tour to The South
If Rock Music had a Mount Rushmore, a few names would quickly be mentioned following Elvis and The Beatles. One of those names that rises to the debate instantly would be The Rolling Stones. For years, the age old debate has been Beatles or Stones? Depending on the mood, the answer likely changes – I know it does for me. Ever since seeing Elvis on June 20, 1973 in Mobile, AL, I’ve been on an OCD induced mission to see as much live music as humanly possible. Last fall, after seeing Paul McCartney, I was sent into one of my Beatles phases for two weeks. Prior to the Beatles, it was a Fleetwood Mac craze and Springsteen before that – all after their recently seen concerts. Now in 2015, I’m on a record setting pace for the number of shows in one calendar year. In its midst, The Rolling Stones launched their 2015 Zip Code Tour of the U.S. (one in Quebec too). I knew I would attend at least one of the stops on the tour (preferably in the South). As time presented itself, three cities were inked in as sure things: Atlanta, Nashville and finally Raleigh, NC.
Each city, stadium, setlist and performance had something distinctly special to them. All three shows featured 19 (Atlanta, Raleigh) or 20 (Nashville) songs. Opening for The Stones in Atlanta was the highly popular St. Paul & The Broken Bones; Nashville had Brad Paisley with guest appearances by Carrie Underwood and Eagles rocker Joe Walsh; and finally, Raleigh saw the Avett Brothers entertaining the huge numbers. Personally, I’m a fan of all, but the Nashville opening was surprisingly the most memorable.
The most common things I’ve heard from others who knew I was driving and flying to these Stones’ shows were – “oh, wow I love the Rolling Stones! Can I come along?”; “OMG, first time I saw The Rolling Stones was in (insert year)”; “The Rolling Stones, are they ever going to retire?”; “Those guys are old! Can they even move?”
Well, the debate and discussions were abundant, but to answer the naysayers, I see no reason for them to retire. They work the stage with as much passion and stamina as they did decades ago. Frankly, I was somewhat surprised at how well they got around, sounded and worked the stadium into a rock and roll frenzy. For those who never witnessed rock music in the way it was intended, this was the ideal experience. To everyone else, this fully served as a reminder at why many consider The Rolling Stones as the greatest rock and roll band of all time!
By way of seating, I managed to have a very different view for each show. Oddly, the one furthest from stage gave me the most grandeur experience (again, Nashville).
Following this article, I will post all three setlist(s), including their differences. A few things thankfully went unchanged at each show. The last eleven songs with the encore remained consistent (with the exception, the Atlanta show, “Start Me Up was the opener; Nashville and Raleigh, “Jumpin Jack Flash” opened.
It’s hard to say what was the highlight of each show. The three giant screens displaying a full inferno ablaze during the performance of “Sympathy for the Devil” was visually and musically stunning; Jagger’s humorous comments in Nashville about despite being in the home of country music, they were going to do only what they do – then Jagger appeared on stage wearing “his version” of a cowboy hat accompanied by Ronnie Wood on pedal steel in one of their twangiest songs, “Far Away Eyes” (forever be remembered); “Gimme Shelter”, “Can’t Always Get What You Want”, “Start Me Up”, “Miss You”, “Midnight Rambler”, “Tumbling Dice” and of course to end show, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – all were in top form and amazing!
The Rolling Stones definitely seemed to be enjoying themselves on stage. The three sold out stadium shows I attended were exactly what old and new fans alike come to see (fireworks and all)! The long lines at the several merchandise tables gave extra evidence of that as fans spent 40, 50, 100 bucks a purchase. Not only is the The Rolling Stones a great band, but are capable and savvy businessmen.
Heck, I recently was in a movie theater awaiting to see “Jurassic World” and not once, but twice did a promo for The Rolling Stones tour air during the previews. In some cases, music purist scream “sell outs”, but The Rolling Stones have been doing these impressive media campaigns for years. They can, because they are The Rolling Stones! NO OTHER ACTIVE BAND IN THE WORLD DESERVES SUCH ATTTENTION!
Two years ago while I was visiting The Rolling Stones special anniversary exhibit at The Rock & Roll of Fame in Cleveland, I wondered not if, but when were The Stones going to take their circus of a tour back on the road……well, it happened in 2015 and I wouldn’t be shocked to see it happen again in the near future.
At year’s end, when The Southland Music Line does its annual list of best concerts and live performances of 2015, three shows by The Rolling Stones will certainly be near the top (if not the top) and most rightfully so!
The Three setlist(s) from the three Rolling Stones shows I attended in the months of June and July of 2015:
TUES. JUNE 9 , 2015 | BOBBY DODD STADIUM | ATLANTA, GA | SETLIST
(19 songs)
Start Me Up
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
All Down the Line
Tumbling Dice
Doom and Gloom
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
You Gotta Move
(Mississippi Fred McDowell cover)
Some Girls
(by request, first since 5 June 2007)
Honky Tonk Women
(followed by band introductions)
Before They Make Me Run
(Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Happy
(Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Sympathy for the Devil
Brown Sugar
Encore:
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
(with The Emory University Concert Choir)
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
WED. JUNE 17, 2015 | LP STADIUM | NASHVILLE, TN | SETLIST
(20 songs)
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
You Got Me Rocking
Tumbling Dice
Doom and Gloom
Bitch
Far Away Eyes
Wild Horses
Dead Flowers
(with Brad Paisley) (by request)
Honky Tonk Women
(followed by band introductions)
Before They Make Me Run
(Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Happy
(Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Start Me Up
Sympathy for the Devil
Brown Sugar
Encore:
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
(with The Belmont University Chorale)
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
WED. JULY 1, 2015 | CARTER-FINLEY STADIUM | RALEIGH, NC | SETLIST
(19 songs)
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
Let’s Spend the Night Together
Tumbling Dice
Out of Control
Bitch
Moonlight Mile
Shine a Light
Honky Tonk Women
(followed by band introductions)
Before They Make Me Run
(Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Happy
(Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Start Me Up
Sympathy for the Devil
Brown Sugar
Encore:
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
*The following songs that differed at the three shows The Line attended:
Atlanta: All Down the Line; Can’t You Hear Me Knocking ; You Gotta Move; Some Girls; *Doom and Gloom (also performed in Nashville)
Nashville: You Got Me Rocking; Far Away Eyes; Dead Flowers; Wild Horses; *Bitch (also performed in Raleigh) *Doom and Gloom (also performed in Atlanta)
Raleigh: Let’s Spend the Night Together; Out of Control; Moonlight Mile; Shine A Light; *Bitch (also performed in Nashville)
© The Southland Music Line. 2015. All rights reserved