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Morning. Lucan has raized me like Lazarus and asked me to interrupt my board departure for an honest appraisal of the Stones at Hyde Park, so here it is. PSA - though I love writing and aspire to a writing gig one day, I am no music journalist. This is experiential rather than pertaining to the euphonious.
A brief piece of pre-review context - I am 31 years young. Thus, when the Stones first played Hyde Park in 1969, a couple of days after Brian Jones had passed away, I was minus 21 years young. My initial musical tastes were heavily influenced by my Dad, for the most part, but he was never a big Stones guy, so I first begun listening to them in earnest at Uni, their songs having been used so much in films I was devouring in my dorm (Gimme Shelter is in everything init?). In fact, I can remember precisely the first time I rocked out to them - when a young Laurence Fishburn puts the radio on in Apocalypse Now as they traverse the Mekong Delta, and they all start grooving to Satisfaction. I would absolutely consider myself a fan, but nothing more. Never had I bothered to seek them out for a live show until now.
As I've hinted at on here recently I've been struggling with a blend of anxiety and low mood for a few weeks, so I wasn't entirely sure I'd make it yesterday. But, feeling chipper enough after breakfast, I left the flat early and headed up towards Town while the sun was shining. I wandered through Soho (some serious sights for sore eyes the day after PRIDE, I can tell you) and found a barbers for a quick haircut. Turkish coffee in Shepherds Market (Green Park), Gyoza and a beer with the GF, and off to the show.
I saw Blur at BST a few years ago so I knew what to expect. It's actually a really well designed and produced day, with some pretty good warmup acts on offer - yesterday it was Courtney Barrett and Sam Fender, both of whom were decent enough I thought. The food options are ace and drink is fairly reasonably priced (£5.70 a beer) and they were giving away 0.0% Peroni so the non-drinking GF was delighted.
So anyway, Mick and co. They came on at 8.15ish and, objectively, they sound fantastic. Tight, raucous renditions of some of the best (subjective, fair) rock and roll music we've ever seen. Mick's voice was top notch, I thought. Highlights were Like A Rolling Stone (Dylan, yes, but without the nasally nonsense - a lovely cover), Miss You, Honky Tonk Woman, and, obviously, the encore, which consisted of Sympathy For The Devil and (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. In spite of the substitutions from original and earlier lineups, it didn't seem to bother anyone. A quick aside - I once saw The Beach Boys in Thetford Forest without Brian Wilson. That is not The Beach Boys. This was The Rolling Stones.
One of the loveliest elements to a gig like this, with a band who've been going for so long, is the crowd. I saw babies with ear defenders and 80+ year old hippies on DMT (I asked, they just about answered). Couples who'd seen them 50 times and neophytes like me. Families with three generations, and groups of Gen-Zers who were probably more interested in Sam Fender but who stuck around faithfully and got right into it by the end. No trouble, no groups of d1ckheads (granted, we stood further back than most due to my distaste of tightly packed crowds) and no issues getting out.
The GF, for whom the Stones are primarily the musical inspiration for Christopher Bruce's contemporary dance masterpiece (she says) 'Rooster', was nevertheless very complimentary. "That was great, wasn't it?" she opined as we meandered back to Charing Cross, dodging the TukTuks. Damn right it was.
If you saw them in the 60s or 70s and you saw them yesterday maybe you'd ruefully shake your head and walk away disappointed, but I'd honestly struggle to see how. If Mick's voice was shot, or they couldn't play like they used to, or the production was bad, or they were half-assing it, I'd understand. But none of that was the case. It's not a very rock n roll term but they were absolutely professional. I've seen rock acts devolve into farce on stage. Not here. Great stuff. It wasn't 'a geriatric cover band', or 'a shadow of what they once were', or 'a pale imitation of the real thing'. It was superb.
Caught them last time they played Hyde Park and they were top draw then too, see them at Wembley (Bridges to babylon tour, should have been a year earlier for voodoo lounge, a highly underrated album but they had to postpone for tax implications) where they were epic, and then at Millennium stadium for 40 licks, not the best stadium venue, lacking in atmosphere but the band still kicked ass lastly Hyde Park the year they headlined Glasto.
Can't bring myself to go now without Charlie, glad you enjoyed though and they can still kick out the jams
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 13:57 - Jul 4 by BlueandTruesince82
Caught them last time they played Hyde Park and they were top draw then too, see them at Wembley (Bridges to babylon tour, should have been a year earlier for voodoo lounge, a highly underrated album but they had to postpone for tax implications) where they were epic, and then at Millennium stadium for 40 licks, not the best stadium venue, lacking in atmosphere but the band still kicked ass lastly Hyde Park the year they headlined Glasto.
Can't bring myself to go now without Charlie, glad you enjoyed though and they can still kick out the jams
I went to a postponed gig back at Wembley in the 80,s. Can't remember what tour but we turned up in London only to find that Keef couldn't play because he cut his finger (yeah right)
A good one also was in Barcelona at The Olympic Stadium, it coincided with a Hells Angels convention in the city so it was like Altamont reminisced! Chrissie Hynde was a lat sub for back up - I love Chrissie.
Went to the last Hyde Park one same as you.
Been invited to Berlin next month but that is more that complicated - I shall report back.
“Hello, I'm your MP. Actually I'm not. I'm your candidate. Gosh.”
Boris Johnson canvassing in Henley, 2005.
yep agree, I was there too. Didn't know what to expect, and was kind of preparing myself to see a group of old men going through a couple of dozen brilliant songs, like they had millions of times and to have left having enjoyed it but left with the feeling god, I wished I'd seen them 20 years ago.
Thought they were absolutely superb. They were obviously loving it, and playing with each other. Was genuinely one of the best gigs, and most enjoyable and heart warming ones I've ever been to. We threw a bit of money at it, and got in the section at the front, which I'm very glad we did.
Amazing afternoon/evening.
[Post edited 4 Jul 2022 15:05]
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 16:16 - Jul 4 with 1785 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 16:16 - Jul 4 by ElephantintheRoom
Fawning over aging rock stars doing a parody of what made them good or great is a relatively recent phenomenon.
As well as being £100 cheaper you got to see King Crimson too back in the day
Nobody’s ‘fawning’ over anyone. The OP described his experience of seeing the Rolling Stones. It was a well written and very interesting post. Thank you Unbelievableblue. As for the acts themselves, if they enjoy doing what they do where’s the problem? They are just people doing stuff that people want to see - sometimes well.
As for ‘relatively recent phenomenon’, what do you mean by recent? I saw Police at Wembley Arena in I think 2008 - 14 years ago. Is that recent?
With regard to ‘doing a parody’ I also saw Blondie at Shepherds Bush a few years ago. Ok Debbie Harry’s voice isn’t as strong as it was but I defy anyone who saw it to tell me it was a parody.
Sometimes it’s good to see things as they are in the here and now. I presume from your snide comment you got to see everybody worthwhile in their prime. Not all of us were that lucky.
[Post edited 4 Jul 2022 16:44]
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 16:55 - Jul 4 with 1731 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 16:16 - Jul 4 by ElephantintheRoom
Fawning over aging rock stars doing a parody of what made them good or great is a relatively recent phenomenon.
As well as being £100 cheaper you got to see King Crimson too back in the day
That's a bit cynical innit. Some age just fine. Some are sh*t, granted, but it sounds like this gig was very much in the former category.
You could go two ways on the recent phenomenon thing: (1) In popular music, it's inevitably happening because rock has persevered through multiple generations. It's the first genre to do so in modern(ish) times. e.g. rock's been going for 60+ years. Nobody was doing the lindy hop 60 years later in the 1990s!
(2) People have spent the last 400 years or more listening to famous classical composers' music.
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 16:44 - Jul 4 by Churchman
Nobody’s ‘fawning’ over anyone. The OP described his experience of seeing the Rolling Stones. It was a well written and very interesting post. Thank you Unbelievableblue. As for the acts themselves, if they enjoy doing what they do where’s the problem? They are just people doing stuff that people want to see - sometimes well.
As for ‘relatively recent phenomenon’, what do you mean by recent? I saw Police at Wembley Arena in I think 2008 - 14 years ago. Is that recent?
With regard to ‘doing a parody’ I also saw Blondie at Shepherds Bush a few years ago. Ok Debbie Harry’s voice isn’t as strong as it was but I defy anyone who saw it to tell me it was a parody.
Sometimes it’s good to see things as they are in the here and now. I presume from your snide comment you got to see everybody worthwhile in their prime. Not all of us were that lucky.
[Post edited 4 Jul 2022 16:44]
Quite. As I related on another thread, a few weeks back I got to see Wilko Johnson for the first time in forty seven years, his set consisted of most of the Dr. Feelgood hits and a few rock and roll standards. He was fully into it, the audience were too and it was wonderful to see three seasoned musicians still at the top of their game. Not so jaw dropping 'well this is a bit different' as when I saw The Feelgoods at Ipswich Civic College in 1975 but there was a warmth that I think is coming through from a lot of acts who have been off the road for a couple of years due to the pandemic that it would be foolish not to cherish whilst it lasts.
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 17:04 - Jul 4 by Swansea_Blue
That's a bit cynical innit. Some age just fine. Some are sh*t, granted, but it sounds like this gig was very much in the former category.
You could go two ways on the recent phenomenon thing: (1) In popular music, it's inevitably happening because rock has persevered through multiple generations. It's the first genre to do so in modern(ish) times. e.g. rock's been going for 60+ years. Nobody was doing the lindy hop 60 years later in the 1990s!
(2) People have spent the last 400 years or more listening to famous classical composers' music.
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 17:10 - Jul 4 by WeWereZombies
Quite. As I related on another thread, a few weeks back I got to see Wilko Johnson for the first time in forty seven years, his set consisted of most of the Dr. Feelgood hits and a few rock and roll standards. He was fully into it, the audience were too and it was wonderful to see three seasoned musicians still at the top of their game. Not so jaw dropping 'well this is a bit different' as when I saw The Feelgoods at Ipswich Civic College in 1975 but there was a warmth that I think is coming through from a lot of acts who have been off the road for a couple of years due to the pandemic that it would be foolish not to cherish whilst it lasts.
Wow! Lucky you seeing them in the 70s. One of my favourite bands back at that time.
Thinking of bands of that era, I saw at the O2, some years ago now Mott the Hoople. Revival, parody, my over large rear end - they were brilliant.
To prove your point, a regret of mine is that I didn’t take the chance to see one of the Status Quo Frantic Four final gigs. I saw them many times in the late 70s early 80s with the original line up and couldn’t face seeing them as they were when they did their ‘final fling’. A stupid mistake on my part.
Yes, it’s foolish not to cherish while it lasts.
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 17:57 - Jul 4 with 1655 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 17:34 - Jul 4 by Churchman
Wow! Lucky you seeing them in the 70s. One of my favourite bands back at that time.
Thinking of bands of that era, I saw at the O2, some years ago now Mott the Hoople. Revival, parody, my over large rear end - they were brilliant.
To prove your point, a regret of mine is that I didn’t take the chance to see one of the Status Quo Frantic Four final gigs. I saw them many times in the late 70s early 80s with the original line up and couldn’t face seeing them as they were when they did their ‘final fling’. A stupid mistake on my part.
Yes, it’s foolish not to cherish while it lasts.
I saw Quo in 1990 - or whatever was left of them then.
I have a wide range of musical tastes, when I was a whippersnapper circa 1981 (I would have been about 16) I saw The Chords at Ipswich Corn Exchange.
Fast forward 40 years and a month ago I saw them at Mods Mayday, around Hackney I think it was - I can't blooming remember
They weren't that great (they were never exactly superstars anyway) but I enjoyed myself spinning around like a demented old peacock.
Live your life and enjoy yourself - it's later than you think!
When I'm on my death bed I doubt I'll be thinking to myself, "I wish I hadn't bothered seeing The Chords, I should have stayed in.
“Hello, I'm your MP. Actually I'm not. I'm your candidate. Gosh.”
Boris Johnson canvassing in Henley, 2005.
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 17:34 - Jul 4 by Churchman
Wow! Lucky you seeing them in the 70s. One of my favourite bands back at that time.
Thinking of bands of that era, I saw at the O2, some years ago now Mott the Hoople. Revival, parody, my over large rear end - they were brilliant.
To prove your point, a regret of mine is that I didn’t take the chance to see one of the Status Quo Frantic Four final gigs. I saw them many times in the late 70s early 80s with the original line up and couldn’t face seeing them as they were when they did their ‘final fling’. A stupid mistake on my part.
Yes, it’s foolish not to cherish while it lasts.
Wow - you thought Mott the Hoople were brilliant at the O2? I was at that & thought they were awful. Ian Hunter tried to carry the gig, but his voice was shot after a few concerts too many in succession. Mick Ralphs wasn't interested. You now virtually never hear a negative review of an oldies' gig. Even McCartney at Glastonbury seemed to get rave reviews, although my daughter said he was awful & they bailed half way through. Part of the difference is that modern technology means that sound quality is generally better but I'm also sure there are a fair number of pre-recorded vocals. I'm also told Keith Richards is struggling so much with arthritis that he doesn't actually play much guitar. Bit like modern celebrity culture whereby most are happy to have ticked off a big name, have a few drinks with their mates & have a good time.
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 19:20 - Jul 4 by Lord_Lucan
No, I missed that happening.
I did though see ABBA at Wembley arena on The Arrival tour. I’m thinking late 78 / early 79??
I’d love to have seen that. ABBA was odd in that it was the height of uncool to like them amongst my friends, but everybody secretly sung along when they came on the radio.
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 08:26 - Jul 5 with 1438 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 21:09 - Jul 4 by Radlett_blue
Wow - you thought Mott the Hoople were brilliant at the O2? I was at that & thought they were awful. Ian Hunter tried to carry the gig, but his voice was shot after a few concerts too many in succession. Mick Ralphs wasn't interested. You now virtually never hear a negative review of an oldies' gig. Even McCartney at Glastonbury seemed to get rave reviews, although my daughter said he was awful & they bailed half way through. Part of the difference is that modern technology means that sound quality is generally better but I'm also sure there are a fair number of pre-recorded vocals. I'm also told Keith Richards is struggling so much with arthritis that he doesn't actually play much guitar. Bit like modern celebrity culture whereby most are happy to have ticked off a big name, have a few drinks with their mates & have a good time.
It’s all opinions, I guess. I saw Supertramp’s Breakfast in America tour back in the day. We thought it was awful and disappeared to the bar for a chunk of it, despite having donated my liver to purchase a ticket. It got good reviews at the time.
I think much depends on the venue. I saw Blondie on tv at Glastonbury a few weeks before seeing them live. Her voice wasn’t good enough for such a big open venue, but it was fine for a small old theatre. Maybe the vocals were prerecorded, but it didn’t look like it - not that I’d have much idea.
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 08:39 - Jul 5 with 1424 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 16:44 - Jul 4 by Churchman
Nobody’s ‘fawning’ over anyone. The OP described his experience of seeing the Rolling Stones. It was a well written and very interesting post. Thank you Unbelievableblue. As for the acts themselves, if they enjoy doing what they do where’s the problem? They are just people doing stuff that people want to see - sometimes well.
As for ‘relatively recent phenomenon’, what do you mean by recent? I saw Police at Wembley Arena in I think 2008 - 14 years ago. Is that recent?
With regard to ‘doing a parody’ I also saw Blondie at Shepherds Bush a few years ago. Ok Debbie Harry’s voice isn’t as strong as it was but I defy anyone who saw it to tell me it was a parody.
Sometimes it’s good to see things as they are in the here and now. I presume from your snide comment you got to see everybody worthwhile in their prime. Not all of us were that lucky.
[Post edited 4 Jul 2022 16:44]
Quite right. And the recent incarnation of King Crimson have been utterly brilliant, so no need to worry about missing them decades ago.
Great review by the OP - you have a real talent!
I saw the Stones at Twickenham maybe a decade ago. Like many above I didn't expect much. Wrong. They were absolutely brilliant.
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 09:12 - Jul 5 with 1392 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 08:26 - Jul 5 by Churchman
It’s all opinions, I guess. I saw Supertramp’s Breakfast in America tour back in the day. We thought it was awful and disappeared to the bar for a chunk of it, despite having donated my liver to purchase a ticket. It got good reviews at the time.
I think much depends on the venue. I saw Blondie on tv at Glastonbury a few weeks before seeing them live. Her voice wasn’t good enough for such a big open venue, but it was fine for a small old theatre. Maybe the vocals were prerecorded, but it didn’t look like it - not that I’d have much idea.
Absolutely, it's all about opinion & personal experience on the night. However, the market has changed. We now have people my age who have money to spend & are happy to spend £50 or £100 seeing a big name from their youth so the seniors' tour is thriving. Nothing wrong with that - it's down to personal choice - & i really enjoyed seeing Deep Purple at the Roundhouse in 2013. The year after, they were doing 3 nights at the O2 (no, I didn't go). However, there's a huge amount of "box ticking" about these events & most of them seems to be immune from criticism.
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 09:12 - Jul 5 by Radlett_blue
Absolutely, it's all about opinion & personal experience on the night. However, the market has changed. We now have people my age who have money to spend & are happy to spend £50 or £100 seeing a big name from their youth so the seniors' tour is thriving. Nothing wrong with that - it's down to personal choice - & i really enjoyed seeing Deep Purple at the Roundhouse in 2013. The year after, they were doing 3 nights at the O2 (no, I didn't go). However, there's a huge amount of "box ticking" about these events & most of them seems to be immune from criticism.
You saw Deep Purple??! Swine. One I missed. Stormbringer - an album cover to compete with Dark Side of the Moon. You lucky *&d. Another band of my yoof I loved.
On the missed out first time round stuff, I saw Alice Cooper at Wembley Arena a few years ago. The lead guitarist (Nita Strauss) was great, his vocals ok, but there was no life in it. He didn’t even play ‘Elected’. It all felt a bit going through the motions, take the £ to me, so I understand totally what you are saying
The bloke with an axe through his head enjoyed it though. Very ‘Rocky Horror Show’!
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 22:34 - Jul 5 with 1262 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 20:23 - Jul 5 by Churchman
You saw Deep Purple??! Swine. One I missed. Stormbringer - an album cover to compete with Dark Side of the Moon. You lucky *&d. Another band of my yoof I loved.
On the missed out first time round stuff, I saw Alice Cooper at Wembley Arena a few years ago. The lead guitarist (Nita Strauss) was great, his vocals ok, but there was no life in it. He didn’t even play ‘Elected’. It all felt a bit going through the motions, take the £ to me, so I understand totally what you are saying
The bloke with an axe through his head enjoyed it though. Very ‘Rocky Horror Show’!
Yes, I did see Alice Cooper at Wembley Arena in 2017 & I felt it was a bit formulaic & no, they didn't play "Elected". My mate had seen them at the Roundhouse in 2010 which would have been way better & they played "Elected".
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 22:34 - Jul 5 by Radlett_blue
Yes, I did see Alice Cooper at Wembley Arena in 2017 & I felt it was a bit formulaic & no, they didn't play "Elected". My mate had seen them at the Roundhouse in 2010 which would have been way better & they played "Elected".
Must have been that one. Yes, Roundhouse would have been better. At least Schools Out was played. Wembley Arena was never that great for gigs - especially if you were not too close to the front.
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FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 08:54 - Jul 6 with 1193 views
FAO old rockers, Lucan et al - Stones at Hyde Park on 23:43 - Jul 5 by Churchman
Must have been that one. Yes, Roundhouse would have been better. At least Schools Out was played. Wembley Arena was never that great for gigs - especially if you were not too close to the front.
Yes, I hate Wembley Arena. Basically, it's still the old Empire Pool with virtually no investment made & acoustics aren't great. Only plus is that it's not too bad a journey from Radlett. O2 is actually a far better (although much bigger) venue. They've invested so sound is better & a reasonable choice of restaurants & bars.
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