Last Time

Gigmaggedon continued with...ladies and gentlemen The Rolling Stones!

Loads of mates of mine were going, but it proved near impossible to organise a mutually agreeable meeting point which was a shame. The weather was good enough for a beer garden and although I like the support band Elbow, I didn't like them enough to put up with the Stadium's overpriced cooking lager. 

We timed it perfectly and got to the Stadium in time to get a drink (fizz) 'ave a slash, bump into friends and find a spot. The Stadium was packed and may have been close to selling out? I was surprised at how many twenty somethings made up the crowd, which might have helped the atmosphere, which was great, it was a Friday night in Cardiff!

The Stones were right of the gate with 'Street Fighting Man', and you could feel a swell of energy from the crowd. Jagger was chewing gum as he moved around the stage, I dunno why but I thought it was a nice touch. They were remarkable and seemed to be having a good time, I even saw Charlie crack a few smiles. It was essentially a greatest hits set, but with a few surprises thrown in. The blues number 'Just Your Fool' was good to hear with Jagger on harmonica. 'Get Off My Cloud' was by request and I dunno if I've heard them do it before? Equally 'Like a Rolling Stone' was good to hear and I was happy that 'Paint it Black' got an outing.

I nipped off to get a drink, but rushed back when I heard Keef take lead vocals on 'You Got the Silver' and 'Before They Make Me Run'. Oddly enough I thought Keef was a bit off, Charlie was very tight, Ronnie surprised me (as he did at the 2014 Hyde Park gig) by being blistering, but Keef, I dunno. At one point he did start the wrong song. Was it his fault? Who knows. 

Jagger made reference to other Cardiff gigs they'd done, especially the 1975 Cardiff Castle gig which didn't go ahead. I don't think they played anything past 1978, the disco workout of 'Miss You' sounded fresh. Unlike the Beyonce gig I pretty much knew every word of every song. Loved the gig. Couldn't believe how good they were and how energetic Jagger was, there wasn't an ounce of fat on him. 

I've seen them four times now, and surely this has got to be the last time? If so it was an amazing send off.