Matt Levy
The Rolling Stones ‘Hackney Diamonds Tour’ concert experience technically starts the day before Mick, Keith and Ronnie take the stage.
On Saturday morning, fans with tickets to the Sunday, May 26 MetLife Stadium show received an email asking which song they’d like built into the following evening’s set list. The four options were:
“All Down The Line” from 1972’s “Exile On Main Street”
“Heartbreaker” from 1973’s “Goat’s Head Soup”
“Out Of Control” from 1997’s “Bridges To Babylon”
“Bite My Head Off” from 2023’s “Hackney Diamonds”
It’s a brilliant marketing scheme by one of music’s savviest bands. If those tracks don’t sound familiar, you’ll likely go down an unexpected rabbit hole to find out which is your favorite. Alternately, Stones diehards can flash their knowledge of semi-obscure deep cuts. A true win-win.
We’ll get back to the winning song later, though. Let’s go to the show now.
At 8 p.m. sharp, New York-based group Lawrence kicked off their high-energy, brassy set. The trio doesn’t typically open for the Stones; instead all shows on the ‘Hackney Diamonds Tour’ feature a different special guest. That being said, this night, Stones fans were treated to something special. For 40ish minutes, Lawrence brought danceable, sax-y tracks with big hooks, multiple vocalists, earnest lyrics and big builds that led into triumphant choruses to the 82,500-seat football stadium turned concert venue. They even threw in inspired Sean Paul and Stevie Wonder covers for good measure. Keep an eye on their fall 2024 ‘Family Business Tour’ which includes a night at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, Sept. 19. You won’t want to miss it.
Around 8:45, Lawrence left to impassioned cheers, having won the crowd over with their raucous, meticulous jams.
Now, the packed house played the waiting game. The always trusty Set List FM suggested the Stones would likely take the stage anywhere from 9:15 to 9:25 based on past gigs. If you ask this reviewer, that’s quite late for an AARP-sponsored show, but the Rolling Stones have defied expectations with their longevity, effortless genre-hopping and endlessly entertaining live shows for 60+ years. Why stop now?
Just as restlessness was setting in within the massive crowd, the instantly recognizable opening strings of “Start Me Up” blasted from center stage.
Then there they were: Mick. Keith. Ronnie. In all their glory.
Everyone in the Jets and Giants stadium stood and began singing along. How could you not? Still, Jagger’s powerful vocals soared above the 80,000-plus people who had likely belted “Start Me Up” in their showers for years. His unmistakable brooding croon sounded just as strong as it did in his ’60s, ’70s and ’80s heyday. Heck, maybe the heyday never ended. In any event, it was clear. We were in good hands for a rollicking good time.
From there, the Stones dropped the infectious banger “Get Off Of My Cloud” while the 80-year-old Mick began shedding layers. By song two, we were down to just an undershirt.
The evening’s first surprise came soon after when the Stones’ “Bitch,” made its ‘Hackney Diamonds Tour’ debut. With a bit of distortion, the 1971 classic took a second to register before hitting the audience in the sweet spot as Mick and Ronnie gave 150% onstage, delivering the 53-year-old ditty with a ferocious urgency.
At past shows, they performed “Shattered,” “Let’s Spend The Night Together” and “She’s So Cold” in this spot. Should you go to a future show–keep an eye out. This is where the always inventive Stones start to mix things up a bit.
Soon after, fans were treated to the new stuff. Most groups can’t pull this off; in fact, “new stuff” is practically a dirty word at live shows. However, the Rolling Stones aren’t just any band. Their searing lead single “Angry” off “Hackney Diamonds” had the packed house singing and clapping along in no time. Anyone that was skeptical of stuff they’d recorded after 1981 need not worry. These chaps are showmen and sold the polished hard rockin’ number with an intensity typically reserved for a group that has something to prove.
And with that, let’s get back to that poll we mentioned earlier.
To introduce the surprise song, Mick stopped the show and pointed to the jumbo screen behind the band. A list of well-known tracks they don’t play often scrolled, leaving the hungry crowd salivating. So many undeniable bops, so little time. Sigh. If only the band had time for “Ruby Tuesday,” “She’s A Rainbow,” “Beast Of Burden,” “It’s Only Rock and Roll,” “Out Of Time,” “Monkey Man” and so many other stone cold classics. If only.
“Heartbreaker” ended up winning the poll and the group hard launched into the heavy tune. For the next few minutes, blues met rock right in the middle, creating a perfect sonic fusion.
From there, the hit parade began. The beloved melancholy ballad “Wild Horses” bled into the infectious “Tumbling Dice.” “Whole Wide World,” off the new album, came next. It started clunkily with it simplistic lyrics (“When The Whole Wide World’s Against You/And You’re Standing In The Rain”) but stuck the landing when Keith’s hard charging guitar morphed the song into a higher plane.
Finally, the long-awaited “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” was next. A true “stander” if you will (that’s when everybody in your section collectively decides to get up from their seat and sway to the music). Mick turned the mic on the crowd and had us sing. We were all connected. This is what we came for. This is what live music is all about.
Still, Jagger was likely exhausted at this point. As a frontman, Mick is equal parts showman, dancer and singer. He’s a true triple threat — we didn’t even mention how he played a little guitar, harmonica and maracas too (!) — and at 80, he needed a well-deserved break.
Yet, rather than subject the crowd to an intermission, sometimes vocalist Keith Richards subbed in for Mick and delivered a pair of tracks. First was the uneven, vulnerable “Tell Me Straight.” Richards, looking a bit older than his bandmates, gave it his all with the always-reliable Wood at his side. This was Keith’s moment in the sun and he clearly relished the spotlight. To close the Keith portion of the evening, he won us over with the fun “Little T&A.” Richards gave a little wave, flashed a toothy grin and retreated to his second banana station as Mick returned with a new, gold sport coat.
A stripped down “Sympathy For The Devil” blared from the state-of-the-art speakers. Cheeky, inventive graphics rolled behind the band as they put a new spin on the hummable anthem. It was the same, it was different, it was as good as ever. For our money, it’s truly unbelievable that there are still new tools in the Stones’ toolkit. They’re clearly very happy experimenting and fraying the edges of fan favorites.
The music stopped for a moment and Mick, ever the charmer, did a little crowd work. Based on applause, he found quite a few folks hailed from New Jersey; some commuted from New York. Most surprisingly, a handful traveled from Connecticut.
“Connecticut,” Jagger smiled. “I heard they have the best pizza in America.”
Boos erupted; the man clearly knew what he was doing by playing the heel for just a minute. Maybe being loved at all times gets old.
He didn’t have to wait too long to win his throngs of adoring fans back, though. The country-fried “Honky Tonk Women” and sprawling, shambolic “Midnight Rambler” made us forget about the pizza quip in no time.
What came next was the evening’s undisputed highlight.
“Gimme Shelter,” with help from otherworldly backup singer Chanel Haynes, was worth the price of admission alone. This reviewer welled up as she belted scream-cried “RAPE MURDER” making the iconic, emotional moment all her own. Excuse the hyperbole but you haven’t seen live music until you’ve heard Haynes transcend time and space going for broke on this always powerful, personal tearjerker. This truly was something else and likely won’t be forgotten by anyone that was at MetLife that night.
Still, there was more show.
And what a show.
The thrumming “Paint It Black” and lively “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” exploded next before the blokes took a bow and headed backstage.
“No ‘Miss You?’” my section cried. No “Miss You” tonight. We’d have to make do without the wordless, catchy “Hoo a hoo hoo” refrain. Oh, well. We were drunk on rock and roll and wanted one more round before last call.
Of course, they returned for an encore. Cellphones waved in the air over the pleasant “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven” before the definitive closer “Satisfaction.”
While Mick may not be able to get any, he surely delivered quite a bit to the fans.
Fans walked out grumbling over songs they didn’t play. On the walk to the NJT, strangers bonded over tracks they desperately wanted to hear but they didn’t get to. Truly a “Heartbreaker.” Even so, that’s how you know the Rolling Stones are truly great. People want more after a two-hour show? Now that’s entertainment.
Maybe they should send a poll to fans letting them pick all the songs they play on their sticky fingers crossed next tour.
Final verdict: These 80-somethings are simply built different. If you haven’t seen the Stones live and it’s on your bucket list, make catching ‘Hackney Diamonds’ a priority. This is a tour not to be missed. Mick, Keith and Ronnie might not always give you what you want (but you’ll get what you need).
Rolling Stones 2024 tour schedule
After the brief New Jersey stay, Mick, Keith, and co. have 12 more stadium concerts on their 2024 tour calendar.
For a closer look, here’s where they’re headed next (along with the special guests they’re bringing along):
| Rolling Stones tour dates |
|---|
| May 30 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA featuring The Red Clay Strays |
| June 3 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL featuring Tyler Childers |
| June 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA featuring Ghost Hounds |
| June 11 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA featuring KALEO |
| June 15 at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH featuring Ghost Hounds |
| June 20 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO featuring Widespread Panic |
| June 27 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL featuring Bettye LaVette |
| June 30 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL featuring Lainey Wilson |
| July 5 at BC Place in Vancouver, BC, CA featuring Ghost Hounds |
| July 10 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA featuring The War and Treaty |
| July 13 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA featuring The Linda Lindas |
| July 17 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA featuring The Beaches |
| July 21 at Thunder Ridge Natures Arena in Ridgedale, MO Special guest TBD |
The Rolling Stones set list
To keep things simple, here’s what the band brought to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, May 26, courtesy of Set List FM:
01.) “Start Me Up”
02.) “Get Off Of My Cloud”
03.) “Bitch” (tour debut)
04.) “Angry”
05.) “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)” (tour debut; fan voted song)
06.) “Wild Horses”
07.) “Tumbling Dice”
08.) “Whole Wide World”
09.) “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (followed by band introductions)
10.) “Tell Me Straight” (live debut; Keith Richards on lead vocals)
11.) “Little T&A” (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
12.) “Sympathy for the Devil”
13.) “Honky Tonk Women”
14.) “Midnight Rambler” (tour debut)
15.) “Gimme Shelter”
16.) “Paint It Black”
17.) “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
Encore
17.) “Sweet Sounds of Heaven”
18.) “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
The Rolling Stones new music
On Oct. 20, the Stones released their 26th American studio album, “Hackney Diamonds,” featuring special guests Paul McCartney, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder.
Comprised of 12 hard-rocking tracks that wouldn’t be out of place alongside their singalong stadium anthems of yore, “Diamonds” shows that Mick, Keith, and Ronnie still have their sticky fingers on rock and roll’s pulse.
“We wouldn’t have put this album out if we didn’t really like it,” Jagger, 80, told Jimmy Fallon. “We must say that we are quite pleased with it. We’re not big-headed but we hope you like it.”
If you’re looking to sample the record, we suggest starting with the fierce lead track “Angry” and the wistful ballad “Dreamy Skies.”
Prefer to listen in full? You can find “Hackney Diamonds” here.
The Rolling Stones band members
No joke — the upcoming tour is sponsored by AARP.
Rather than shy away from their age, the legendary rockers are embracing their elder statesman status.
To give you a peek at who’s in the group these days, take a look below.
Mick Jagger (80-years-old) lead and backing vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar, percussion, keyboards, bass guitar (1962–present)
Keith Richards (80-years-old) rhythm and lead guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing and lead vocals (1962–present)
Ronnie Wood (76-years-old) lead and rhythm guitars, bass guitar, backing vocals, pedal steel guitar (1975–present)
Backing musicians include Chuck Leavell, Bernard Fowler, Matt Clifford, Darryl Jones, Tim Ries, Karl Denson, Chanel Haynes, and Steve Jordan.
Their longtime drummer Charlie Watts passed away in August 2021.
Classic rockers on tour in 2024
Many AARP card-carrying heroes from yesteryear will take the stage this year and next.
Here are just five of our favorite acts you won’t want to miss live in the near future.
• Bob Dylan with Robert Plant and Willie Nelson
• Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues
Need more ’60s and ’70s hitmakers in your life? Check out our list of the 52 biggest classic rockers on tour in 2024 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed Bruce Springsteen and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
This post was originally posted by NYPost
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