Weather Afternoon: 14°c Light showers Tonight: 9°c Light showers

Critics' Choice

Film

Andrew O'Hagan

quoteNew Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of itquote

Andrew O'Hagan The Twilight Saga: New Moon Theatre

Henry Hitchings

quoteA smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusionquote

Henry Hitchings Cock Restaurants

David Sexton

quoteKitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave quote

David Sexton Kitchen W8

Reader reviews

Film

Adam, Harrow

quoteToo long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effectsquote

2012 Theatre

Rob, London

quoteThis is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flawsquote

The Habit Of Art Music

Bernard, London

quoteAlex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factorquote

Alexandra Burke

Music reviews London,

The Rolling Stones

Your rating
one startwo starthree starfour starfive star
Click on a star to rate
O2 Arena
Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0DX

Evening Standard rating David Smyth's rating
Evening Standard rating Reader rating
 Add your review

Description: The Stones band wagon rolls into town again, with Mick and the boys performing favourite tracks from their extensive back catalogue.


Phone: 0871220 0260
Website: www.theo2.co.uk
Email: customerservices@theo2.co.uk

Trains: Tube: North Greenwich, BR: Westcombe Park Railway Station Overground network, Tube / Bus: 108, 129, 161, 188, 422, 472, 486 Transport for London

Extra info: Pub, Food, Telephones, Air Conditioning

 
Please wait the page is loading extra content
  • Show details
  • Hide details
  • Show map
Close X

Directions

 

Stellar Stones prove time is on their side

By David Smyth, Evening Standard  22.08.07
 
Not fading away: The Rolling Stones' latest tour showcased a barrage of hits, and proved that it is not only age that fails to wither this seemingly unstoppable band of rockers

Not fading away: The Rolling Stones' latest tour showcased a barrage of hits, and proved that it is not only age that fails to wither this seemingly unstoppable band of rockers

Affectionate: sparring partners Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood

Affectionate: sparring partners Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood

Jumping Jack Flash: Mick Jagger dominated with the trademark energy he has employed since the Sixties

Jumping Jack Flash: Mick Jagger dominated with the trademark energy he has employed since the Sixties

Jagger's laft hand was the busiest thing on stage

Jagger's laft hand was the busiest thing on stage

Related links

Exactly two years since they set off around the world for the umpteenth time, the Rolling Stones' latest tour is finally put to bed with three London shows this week. Yet for once, no one is speculating that these concerts, the band's first indoor gigs in London since 2003, will be their last.

Gallery: Rolling Stones at the O2

That's because this Bigger Bang tour has proved beyond doubt that it is not only age that shall fail to wither them, but also censorship in both China and America, laryngitis (Mick Jagger), rehab (Ronnie Wood) and a freak run-in with a Fijian coconut tree (Keith Richards). That they still seemed unstoppable when they took to the stage here was with good reason.

"Start me up, I'll never stop" was the first line sung by Jagger, who dominated the vast space with the same manic strut he has employed since the Sixties. His left hand was the busiest thing on the stage, constantly pointing, beckoning and sending away. Later he swapped his microphone for a hands-free headset and really let the gesticulations fly.

Both he and Wood sported clothes so tight they must have been borrowed from their daughters, only their sunken cheeks suggesting that their aged bodies might cave in on themselves at any moment.

Charlie Watts, in jeans and a white T-shirt, occupied the drum stool with quietly amused dignity, emphasising that this rock and roll lark is all too easy with the occasional effortless jazz fill.

Wood traded ragged guitar solos and affectionate embraces with Richards, who moved in slow motion and looked as if he hadn't slept in days, but still received the biggest cheer of the evening during the introductions.

With a watch on each wrist, shiny things dangling all over the place and recklessly smoking a cigarette, he even got away with the musical low point of the evening, his mangled solo vocals on You Got The Silver and Wanna Hold You, with a simple "I know I'm bad".

He may not get invited to any more cremations, but his appearances with this band are still adored.

Experts in what is expected of them, the group dealt with the promotion of the album after which the tour is named in just one song, the crass but lively Rough Justice. After that the classics came at speed, including Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice and the concluding Brown Sugar.

As with most sixtysomethings, they had a saggy middle - 1978's weary Beast Of Burden followed by rambling jam Can't You Hear Me Knocking - but spirited James Brown homage I'll Go Crazy picked up the pace again.

The most spectacular moment came during Respectable, when the centre of the stage moved slowly forwards like a launching ship and sailed to the back of the room, band and all.

A concluding barrage of hits including an epic Sympathy For The Devil, the fierce intensity of Paint It Black and a climactic Jumping Jack Flash, reinforced the reasons why thousands worldwide will never tire of seeing the Rolling Stones play live.

We'll now have to wait a few years for the opportunity to come around again, but undoubtedly it will come. Until next time.

Related articles

More


Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

 

Reader reviews (10)

 Add your review

This was the first time we have seen the Stones live and it exceeding all our expectations, they was absolutly fabulous , how does Mick keep going for over 2 hrs.
The highlight for us was when the stage rose up and come out to the middle of the arena whilst the band still played ,it was a fantastic show.
When the band appeared we all stood up and everyone in the arena remained on there feet for the whole performance dancing and singing to every number.

- Peter & Brenda Smith, Maidstone,Kent UK

I can die a happy man. Totally awesome.

- Dave,, London

The Rolling Stones are unique. Never there will be a rock and roll band that will be as good as the Stones. This is a fact. Please come to Amsterdam again.

- Tim, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Apart from convicts many years ago to the golden land of Australia, The Rolling Stones are the best export England has ever had. These guys defy all rules. Not just of society, but music, and even science. How are they still alive? How can they deliver time and time and time again? How are they able to be the best live band in rock history? Maybe they did make a deal with the Devil. Well, they got a bargain! And so did the world.

- Craig, Melbourne, Australia

Yes, it was a fantastic gig. But why did your reviewer forget to mention just about the highest point of the evening: Jagger's duet with Lisa Fisher? She was just fantastic and got as much applause as anyone.

- Celia Bright, Bedford, UK

Truly honoured to see such genuine talent.

When these guys are no more, genuine music will cease.

- Peter Brauer, Crediton UK

Simply amazing!

I saw them at Twickenham on this tour and thought that they were good then but last night's show was about 4 accomplished musicians who defied their ages.

The set was not just about churning out all their hits but had some absolutely great solos.

Until the next time!

- Gordon Goldie, Newcastle upon Tyne

The Stones were simply outstanding last night. Rocks Off and Cant you hear me Knocking were sensational and they gave the best ever renditions of Honky Tonk Women, Tumbling Dice and Paint it Black ever! Roll on Forever!

- Dh, London UK

The audience seemed to be in awe of an institution that might just as well portrayed a dancing bear. The atmosphere blurted out messianic vibes in praise of tax exiled gods and their private medical gurus, that would keep them jumping like Jack Flash. The jiggered Mick did a lot of walking in his tight skinny pants and much gesturing, but no strutting as we knew it. The acoustic was ATROCIOUS in this once majestic Dome. Had we lost touch with guitar streaming hard rock, a lot of bellowing and puerile stand offs like Ron Wood smoking on stage, because he could afford a £50 fine? Was it also the fact that Richards lost the plot - again? - Well, did he ever recover it? First his solos were so boring they made listening to non eventful Coldplay a refreshing pleasure; then his attempt at improvising on 'sympathy for the devil' was so devastatingly bad that it took dear old Ron to show him what chords he should be in! There were much hand raising, getting the stalls to rattle their jewelery, and even a Marianne look alike, picked up by selective camera pan, licking her fingers in a suggestive way, directing her virtual desire at Mick. The whole show however seemed to be directed at a collegiate audience, with much strident steel clashing and distorted shouting. This was the kind of concert where if you hadn't been there, you would not care. So respect to the 'bad boys' for lasting so long, pity they had to join the circus.

- Malaki, London, UK

These old boys can still belt out a tune! It's a shame they have to do some of the 'new stuff' (anything less than 25 years old!), but last night's performance was simply awesome ...

- Paul, London


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 
 


 
 
London's Weather
Afternoon
Light showers
14°c
Tonight
Light showers
9°c
5 day forecast
 
 

Daily Mail Mail on Sunday Travel Mail This is Money Metro

Loot | Jobsite | Homes & property | London jobs | FindaProperty.com | Primelocation.com | Educate London | Holiday Villas