Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium welcomed the Rolling Stones on October 29, 2021. By Joel Shover
I began my journey of seeing the Rolling Stones live in 1981 at the young age of 9. Since that time I have seen at least one show from every US tour. I’ve experienced them from the front row at the Rose Bowl to the intimacy of Toad’s Place in New Haven. I have been drawn to their music by its familiarity and the feeling of coming home that you get when you hear their music. I have never left a show feeling let down and my latest experience was no different other than the odd feeling that this could be the last time following the loss of Charlie Watts.
The night was overcast with rain looming when I walked into Raymond James Stadium. There was a feeling of excitement and anticipation as the crowd gathered. The opening band was Ghost Hounds, a Rock and Blues Band from Pittsburgh. The highlight of the opening act was their rendition of Cliff Richards’ Devil Woman. And then the main show started. Mick came out rocking and running up and down a 50-yard runway. He proved that he can still move like he did many years ago. Be on the look out ladies, Jagger still has the moves that have drawn people in for decades. The Rolling Stones went on to play a memorable show.
The set list included Street Fighting Man and Get Off of My Cloud. Apparently Jagger can control the weather as the rain stayed away, not that anything could have dampened the brightness of the music. They went on to play Sad, Sad, Sad from Steel Wheels, Tumbling Dice, Beast of Burden and Far Away Eyes. It was the first time that Far Away Eyes had been played since 2015. Then they played one of my Personal Favorites, You Can’t Always Get What You Want. While a favorite Rolling Stones song I always think of Max Creek covering it. Give it a listen if you haven’t heard it. The show continued with Living in a Ghost Town, Start Me Up, and Honkey Tonk Woman.
And then there were band introductions which brought a standing ovation for the legendary Keith Richards. Keith’s vocals were featured in Connection and Happy. They followed with Miss You from the Some Girls Album and then moved on to Midnight Rambler which is a staple that no Stones show would feel complete without it being played. They also included pieces of Come On in My Kitchen by Blues legend Robert Johnson. The band completed the show with Paint it Black, Sympathy for the Devil, and Jumping Jack Flash.
But we weren’t quite finished yet. We were treated to an encore of Gimme Shelter and Satisfaction. What a great ending to an awesome concert!
I thoroughly enjoyed this show even though I was missing Charlie Watts. The band dedicated this show as well as their other shows to their great friend and band mate. With this being said acknowledgement needs to be given to Mr. Steve Jordan who stepped up and rocked it for the crowd in Tampa. I have had the pleasure of seeing Steve play along with John Mayer on several occasions. He is a very talented drummer and well qualified to be a part of this legendary show. My parting words to you are get out there and see a show on this tour because who knows, “This could be the last time, Maybe the last time, I don’t know, oh no, oh no”….
Until the next show…
Street Fighting Man
Get Off of My Cloud
Sad Sad Sad
Tumbling Dice
Beast of Burden
Far Away Eyes (By request; first time live since 2015)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Living in a Ghost Town
Start Me Up
Honky Tonk Women (Followed by band introductions)
Connection (Keith Richards on lead vocal)
Happy (Keith Richards on lead vocal)
Miss You
Midnight Rambler (with “Come on in My Kitchen” snippet)
Paint It Black
Sympathy for the Devil
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Encore:
Gimme Shelter
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
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