A Bigger Bang Tour

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A Bigger Bang Tour
Image:Tour_2005-1-.gif
Tour by Rolling Stones
Start date August 21, 2005
End date not yet known
Legs 3
Shows 55 in North America
19 in Europe
5 in Japan
1 in China
2 in Australia
2 in New Zealand
Total ??
Cancelled ??
Rolling Stones tour chronology
Licks Tour
(2002-2003)		 A Bigger Bang Tour
(2005-?)

The Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang Tour is a worldwide concert tour taking place during 2005 and 2006 and to be 2007, in support of their album A Bigger Bang. It has proven to be one of the longest such tours ever, especially in terms of large gaps between its portions, and moreover has become the highest-grossing tour ever [1].

Contents

[edit] History

In May 2005, The Stones announced plans for another world tour starting August 21 at a press conference at baseball Fenway Park in Boston. The A Bigger Bang Tour was expected to include dates throughout the United States and Canada before going to South America, Asia and Europe.

Launching the tour at the Juilliard School in New York, Mick Jagger told reporters that it would not necessarily be their last. All rehearsals for the tour took place in Toronto, Canada in a school hall. Over 130 tracks where practised in the same city where the new album was recorded.

The tour began on August 21, 2005 with two shows at historic Fenway Park in Boston. The Stones' huge stage caused extensive damage to the outfield, so that approximately 40,000 square feet (4,000 m²) of sod had to be brought in to repair it, and a subsequent baseball game held at the park three days later had to be pushed back an hour to give the grounds crew more time to complete the repairs.

The tour has since played across 55 shows in North America, 4 shows in South America, 5 shows in Japan and one in China. The Rolling Stones have completed their South Pacific leg by playing at two destinations in both Australia and New Zealand.

At the end of 2005, it was announced by tour producer Michael Cohl that The Stones' A Bigger Bang Tour had made a record-shattering $162 million since the tour opening at Fenway Park in Boston on August 21. This breaks the previous North American record, held by The Stones themselves for their 1994 Voodoo Lounge Tour, which grossed approximately $120 million. In terms of revenue, the A Bigger Bang Tour is the largest tour in North America. The second largest was the Rolling Stones' 1997 world tour, Bridges to Babylon Tour.

On February 1, 2006, The Stones played their first concert at the Baltimore Arena since 1969, possibly the second smallest venue they have played or will play for the entire tour. Their most intimate performance was in Radio City Music Hall on March 14, 2006, in a private concert for supporters of the Robin Hood Foundation. This benefit concert was their only performance at the venue to date.

While on the American leg of the tour, on February 5, 2006 the Stones played "Start Me Up", "Rough Justice" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" at the halftime show of Super Bowl XL in Detroit. Before performing "Satisfaction," Jagger made an uncharacteristic comment on their longevity: "This one we could've done for Super Bowl I." Jagger was asked to leave out two sexually suggestive lyrics. The audio on his microphone was lowered twice for the two requested omissions, but Jagger did sing those lyrics. [2]. Contrary to many media reports, he was not censored. The Stones had earlier taken part in promotions throughout the entire NFL season using music from A Bigger Bang and footage from their supporting world tour.

The Rolling Stones bring 1.5 million people to the sands of Copacabana.
Enlarge
The Rolling Stones bring 1.5 million people to the sands of Copacabana.

The outstanding scale of the tour was realised on February 19, 2006 when the Rolling Stones played a one night concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The free concert was broadcast on television and broke several records as the largest rock concert of all time. There were a reported 2 million people present on the beach and crowding subsequent streets. A special tunnel was constructed for the band to cross from the stage to the hotel safely. Three days after the monstrous event, U2 played in Sao Paulo, and clearly affected by the huge night, ended their concert with the words, "I can't get no, satisfaction!" While the Guinness Book of World Records states the largest free concert ever was given in the same spot in 1994 by Rod Stewart, to 3.5 million people, that figure includes everyone who was on Copacabana Beach for fireworks and New Year's Eve celebrations, not just for that concert, so The Rolling Stones could hold the title of largest rock concert of all time. This show was recorded for exhibition on digital movie screens across the United States via Regal Cinemas and heard live on XM Radio. Additionally, the show was shown live on AOL Music in partnership with Network Live.

April 8 saw The Stones arrive in the People's Republic of China for their first-ever performance in the world's most populous country (performances planned in 2003 for the Licks Tour were canceled due to the SARS epidemic). The Chinese authorities required that the group not perform "Brown Sugar", "Honky Tonk Women", "Beast of Burden", and "Let's Spend the Night Together", as they were considered to be "too suggestive."

After their April 18, 2006 performance in Wellington, New Zealand, The Rolling Stones took a one-month break before embarking on the European leg of their A Bigger Bang Tour. Mick Jagger remained in New Zealand to film a cameo in the sitcom Let's Rob Mick Jagger while Keith Richards and Ron Wood went to Fiji for two weeks with their wives. During the vacation it is understood Richards fell from a coconut tree while climbing it to obtain coconuts. After suffering a concussion he was rushed back to Ascot Private Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand for further observation. Although reports claimed he had been released two days later, it was soon confirmed by the hospital he underwent brain surgery on May 5, 2006 to relieve a blood clot that had gathered behind his skull. Richards and his wife Patti were joined by his daughters on May 9 when The Rolling Stones announced the European Tour would be postponed for one month. The BBC reported on May 11 that Richards had now left the hospital, profusely thanking staff for his care, and had now left for an unknown location. Many issues regarding his illness and treatment remain unclear - with one report saying he had in fact fallen off a jet ski.

On May 15, 2006, Britain's The Independent newspaper said that the injury meant up to six shows could be pulled from the start of the band's European tour at an estimated cost of £1 million a show. The New Zealand Herald, citing an unnamed source, reported that Richards had undergone surgery 11 days earlier, on April 28, to stop bleeding in his skull, and that medical staff feared for his life at that time. In a statement quoted by Britain's domestic Press Association, the spokesman denied reports in Britain and New Zealand that Richards had undergone a second operation. The statement said: "The first and only operation was done on Monday, May 8, and was 100% successful. There was no brain damage. He continues to improve as expected." It was announced by The Rolling Stones that the European tour would be postponed by one month to allow Richards a full recovery before returning to the road.

The A Bigger Bang Tour restarted in Milan, Italy on July 11th, 2006 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with Richards now having made a full recovery; four of the first fifteen dates were rescheduled for later in the summer, with the rest of the dates taking place in the summer of 2007. As well as the first fifteen dates, two more dates were postponed due to Mick Jagger contracting laryngitis.

The only previous show cancelled was one in Dublin, due to complications with the promoter. Due to delays with construction, the two shows set to be at Wembley Stadium were moved to Twickenham Stadium, London. To promote this European leg of the A Bigger Bang Tour, there were plans to release the new track "Biggest Mistake" from the A Bigger Bang album.

In October of the 2006, television commercials for the A Bigger Bang Tour began appearing in the United States, in conjunction with electronics supplier Radio Shack.

It was announced on Friday 24th November that the A Bigger Bang Tour had become the highest grossing tour of all time. An estimated staggering $437 million was earned by the band who toured from November 2005 until November 2006. This overtakes U2 now in second place who have earned a reported $377 million for their successful Vertigo Tour. [3] The Stones also hold the record for third and fourth highest grossing tours with the Voodoo Lounge Tour and Bridges to Babylon Tour. It has been widely reported that the Stones will play approximately 20 shows in Europe in 2007 to make up for previously canceled dates. That would take A Bigger Bang over the $500 million dollar mark.

[edit] The show

There were five different ticket options at each concert: Gold Seating $100, Diamond Seating $350, Premium Seating $175, General Admission $100 and Side Seating $50. Exclusive pre-sales of tickets are given to American Express Card Members or members of www.rollingstones.com.

In the United Kingdom, the price levels were £40, £60, £90 and £150. Hundreds of tickets remained unsold at some of the band's British shows,such as the show at Hampden Park, Glasgow; though the show at The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was a sell out.

As well as the general public seating, there was special VIP seating in the side of the stage looking downwards onto the band from the sides.

The concerts featured older hits such as "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll", "Honky Tonk Women" and "Brown Sugar" as well as new tracks including "Rough Justice", "Infamy", "Rain Fall Down" and "Oh No, Not You Again".

The A Bigger Bang Tour stage is a phenomenal construction designed with the best architecture and state-of-the-art electronics which present visual screen shows of the Stones Tongue and live footage. There is an enormous 'runway' which extends out perpendicular to the centre of the stage along which Mick Jagger frequently walks, skips and struts. The stage has been measured to have a height of seven stories. It is part of the concept designed by U2 who incorporated ideas to be closer to the audience. In most concerts, a section of the stage detaches itself and rolls the entire band along the catwalk, creating an "island" B stage in the middle of the stadium. It is the B stage that is the U2 contribution. Unusual stage designs in and of themselves have been a feature since Rolling Stones Tour of the Americas '75.

The track list played at the concerts changes at every destination and include new and old songs, but mostly centers around the same numbers. At almost every destination the opening song has been either "Jumpin' Jack Flash" or "Start Me Up", and the closing "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". A selection of new material seems to be frequent as well as two songs sung by guitarist Keith Richards.

Despite the album Rarities 1971-2003 being released in 2005 also, none of the studio recordings featured on the CD have featured in the set at all.

The official logo for the tour is the "Chippy Tongue" - an exploding re-design of the traditional Tongue logo.

The introduction features fireworks and computer-generated graphics representing the literal Big Bang. The four band members' faces hazily appear, and further graphics depicting fast travel through a city's streets before Keith Richards appears on the screen to the sound of Jumpin' Jack Flash.

During the concerts, one large central screen shows live footage of the various band members, predominantly Jagger. Either side of the main screen, there are two sets of lighting effect panels that combine with the main screen to produce visual effects at various points in the show. Bassist Darryl Jones and musical director Chuck Leavell are almost completely ignored in the video effects.

During "Sympathy for the Devil", huge flames are sent into the air above the stage, the heat can be immediately felt hundreds of metres away. Ironically, in the 1970s the Stones could not even play the song, the association with the Altamont Free Concert's killing and violence was strong; now, occasion for special effects, the cultural memory gap of 30 years telling in this instance.

[edit] Memorable Moments

  • On Aug 25, 2005 in Detroit, Mick Jagger said "You blokes don't make cars here anymore, do ya? They're all made in Korea now." Keith Richards made a boo-ing sound to Jagger, who then said he was just joking and that he loved American SUVs.
  • When it came time to perform "Brown Sugar" during the 15 Oct 2005 show in Atlanta, Mick said, "this song is for you southern chicks of a certain color ... you really, really, know how to [Keith guitar chord oversounding next word]."
  • On January 15, When the Stones made their encore trip into Boston on a very cold (negative degrees plus wind) January 15th night, Mick yelled "it's great to be here on this fucking cold night."
  • Oct. 21, 2005, the Stones were the first-ever event held in the new Charlotte Bobcats Arena, to which Mick said, "We're proud to be bustin' the cherry on this new arena."
  • November 24, 2005 in Denver, in the mid section of the show while Mick was introducing the next number, a fan in the front rows yelled out "Let Charlie talk!" Mick ignored it but then a bunch of fans yelled in the same time, "Let Charlie talk!" Mick grinned and motioned back for Charlie Watts to come up. Charlie left his drum kit, walked up to front stage, took the wireless mic from Mick, made a pantomime like he was going to deliver a big formal speech, cracked a wry grin, handed the mic back to Mick and without ever having said a word, returned to his drum kit to much audience laughter.
  • August 20th, 2006, Twickenham Stadium Mick said "We were supposed to playing at Wembley Stadium tonight, I think Wembley will be ready for the Arctic Monkeys farewell tour"
  • August 25th, 2006, the band had embarrassing ticket sales at Glasglow's Hampden Park, which only sold 22,000 out of 90,000 tickets. In the same month, American rock band Bon Jovi sold out the stadium.
  • September 29th, 2006, the Stones played at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, the first musical act to ever play there.
  • October 1, 2006, the Stones play their first ever concert in Wichita, Kansas at Cessna Stadium. This was also the 100th show of the Bigger Bang Tour. They also and played a snippet of 'Wichita Lineman'.
  • October 4, 2006, the Stones played for the first time ever in Montana. Keith Richards said, "This is new territory for me, and I've been around a lot. You've got beautiful country here. I'm thinking about moving in."
  • October 6th, 2006, while playing at Regina, Saskatchewan, Mick Jagger referred to the city as "the city that rhymes with fun." (as local radio stations had been billing the city leading up to the concerts). Two days later, on the October 8, 2006 concert, Mick Jagger promised the mayor of Regina that he wouldnt make any jokes about the fact that the name of the town rhymes with a certain part of the female anatomy. He then said that he hoped he didn't sound like a pussy (to which the crowd laughed).
  • October 11th, 2006, while playing on a very cold night in Chicago at Soldier Field, the Stones played "She Was Hot" live for the first time ever. When Mick sang the words "on a cold Chicago night," the crowd cheered loudly.
  • October 17th, 2006, while playing in Seattle at Qwest Field, Jagger said, "We have some people come from out of town like Tacoma and Bellevue." He made reference to Starbucks too. Also Keith, during one of his famous rants, ended with "What do I know? I'm brain damaged!"
  • October 20th, 2006, while playing in El Paso at the Sun Bowl, Mick Jagger said "We're glad to be back here in El Paso. We've been wanting to do this for some time now." He then started playing Marty Robbins' El Paso.
  • October 27th, 2006, the Rolling Stones cancel their first show in Atlantic City, NJ since 1989 when they played with other acts such as Eric Clapton due to Mick Jagger having a sore throat. The show was rescheduled for November 17th, 2006.
  • November 6th, 2006, while playing in Oakland at the McAfee Coliseum, Mick Jagger graciously apologized to the audience for a 24-hour delay in the show (necessitated by Jagger's recovery from a sore throat) by mentioning "You could have been home watching Monday Night Football". That contest saw the hapless Oakland Raiders, who play their home games at the Coliseum, get shutout by the Seattle Seahawks.
  • November 11th, 2006, Mick Jagger's father, Joe Jagger, dies of pneumonia at age 93 in Kingston, Surrey near London.
  • November 17th, 2006 (rescheduled show from October 27th, 2006),Mick made an opening comment saying "Atlantic City! The only place in the world where you fly in on a private jet and go home on a bus." during Richard's few songs the guitarist said, "It's great to be here tonight, or as I always say it's great to be anywhere. We are a little late (turns to make sure Mick is off stage), but it's not my fault." This was making reference to his several close brushes with death and his drug addictions in the past.

[edit] Opening acts

Artists playing as an introduction to the Stones at various destinations have included Black Eyed Peas, Alice Cooper, Maroon 5, Beck, Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Bonnie Raitt, Trey Anastasio, Living Colour, The Living End, Joss Stone, Nickelback, Buddy Guy, The Charlatans, Feeder and the John Mayer Trio. For the Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada show acts included Sloan, a local band, well-known rap artist Kanye West and Alice Cooper. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club opened the show in Missoula. Three Days Grace opened both concerts in Regina. Blue October opened for them in Boise, Idaho.

The show in San Francisco has possibly the record for "biggest" opening act in history. Metallica, who can sell out large stadiums by themselves, opened for the Stones and the band said they were "honoured".

Guns N' Roses were supposed to open for the Stones for two dates in Germany, whilst on one of their Chinese Democracy Tour pre-legs. However, due to Keith Richards' fall from a tree, the shows were cancelled.

[edit] Personnel

[edit] Tour dates

[edit] Leg 1: North America

[edit] Leg 2: North America, South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand

[edit] Leg 3: Europe

[edit] Leg 4: North America

[edit] Set lists and song list

[edit] External links

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