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Friday, October 07, 2005

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Rolling Stones play Scott Stadium in Charlottesville
Photo Courtesy of Rachel Zahumensky / Daily Progress


It had it's challenges. 50,000 + people attempting to get in to Charlottesville during rush hour, while the residents were just trying to get home. Total gridlock gripped the town for hours. Many of the concert-goers (us included) missed Trey's set. Then, a bomb threat cut 45 minutes out of the middle of the show. It could have been a complete disaster. It turned out to be my favorite concert of all time.

Now I am a person that takes concert performances very seriously, so I pondered on this statement for the 40 minutes it takes me to get to work. I've seen some really good shows over the years, so I really had to put some heavy duty thought into this before formulating this opinion. So what made it the best?

Well - to start - it was partly due to my expectations. You see - over the last few years, I have been attending shows of timeless artists that I believe may be nearing the end of their touring careers. I have seen Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, The Eagles, Peter Gabriel - just to name a few. I have paid extreme prices for these shows and have witnessed some incredible performances. With the Stones, I believed that I would see the band a little past their prime, so I was not expecting a crisp performance, and due to the outdoor setting, an average stage show. I could not have been more wrong.

First - there was the musical performance - The most energetic performance I have ever witnessed. This of course is mainly due to Mick, but the rest of the band kept right up with him. They have assembled an awesome supporting cast, complete with a full horn section featuring Bobby Keyes. They have an outstanding ensemble of back up singers, and an amazing young lady named Lisa Fischer. She pounded out a rendition of "Nighttime is the Right Time" during their Ray Charles tribute, giving Mick a run for his money to steal the song. If I had to make a list of the songs I just had to hear, they were all in their set list. My night was complete after hearing "Sympathy for the Devil" and then getting "You Can't Always Get What You Want" as an encore.

And then - there was the most excellent theatrical experience. As we entered the stadium, I was awed by the huge four story structure (or should I say building) that had been constructed on about the thirty yard line. It was as wide as the Stadium, from one brick wall to the other, and had a massive LCD screen at least three stories tall in the center. From the middle of this extended what appeared to be a huge catwalk - which ended on about the thirty yard line on the opposite end. There appeared to be two alternate raised stages on either side of the end of the catwalk. At about 7:30 p.m. - during Trey's set - a number was given out for anyone present in the stadium to call. If you received a text message back - this entitled you to stage seating - which meant you climbed into the structure on one of the two levels of balconies that rested above the stage. About 400 lucky souls got to do this. Little did they know that they would be part of the stage show.

The entire structure was made of LCD panels, so images could be projected across it's entirety. Shortly after the bomb threat fiasco, the band compressed into the very center of the stage - which then separated and rolled down the catwalk - and settled between the raised structures to create a new stage at the other end of the stadium. An ancillary set of stage lighting came to life as the main stage settled into place. Here they belted out a few more tunes, and then as the stage began it's journey back, the main stage lit up to reveal a three story inflatable Stones symbol (the lips and tongue).

The pyrotechics were out of this world and completely sync'd to the music. They used awsome fireworks, 50-100 ft. flames and flash bombs to enhance the mood and get the crowd absolutely frenzied. It made even the best KISS concerts look like a garage band with a box of sparklers.

The Stones have proven beyond of shadow of a doubt that they can still bring the house down. If you only see one tour this year - this is it. Don't worry about the pricey tickets - you will definitely get your money's worth!




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