Uncle G’s FUN Concert Reviews: The Rolling Stones – Live In Las Vegas (2024)

Date Published: 14 May 2024

Uncle G’s FUN Concert Reviews
Spotlight: The Rolling Stones – Las Vegas 2024

Story and Photos by Gary “Uncle G” Brown
GaryBrown@garyunclegbrownarchives.com

I happily sat down in my nosebleed seat, about 15 minutes before the show started. Gave me enough time to settle in and check out what was happening around me. Already had a nice buzz, and was ready to rock out. I purchased my digital ticket, months ago, and patiently waited all this time. Now, here I am! This is what a couple hundred dollars, got me. Cool with me. Of course, I wish I had the additional money needed for a better seat. Still, I was grateful just to be in the building, and at this point, very excited about the show I was about to see.

This would be my first time seeing the Rolling Stones in concert. I had a ticket to see them back in the 1970s and was involved in a car accident, a couple/few days before the event. Ended up on crutches and never made it. Warming up the crowd for the Stones back then was Foreigner, who would go on to have a very successful run, with multi-hit songs, and will finally be inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, sometime later this year. Honestly, the band deserved the recognition, a long time ago. The same could be said about many other groups and musicians.

This evening, a hard rock/goth-like band called; The Pretty Reckless would be opening for the Stones. One would imagine it a huge honor for anyone to warm up the audience for the Rolling Stones. The hardest thing to get around is the fact that damn near no one is particularly there to see you. Take me, I was pretty much unaware of The Pretty Reckless before seeing their set. I knew of them, but not what they were about. After seeing them now, I feel they left an impression. A hard rock band out of New York City, whose been around since 2009. Worth looking into. This evening, the band seized the opportunity to play in front of over 40,000 Stones fans and made the time they were on that stage, their own.

The Pretty Reckless – Members

Taylor Momsen – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2009–present)
Ben Phillips – lead guitar, backing vocals (2010–present)
Mark Damon – bass (2010–present)
Jamie Perkins – drums (2010–present)

The Main Event

The Rolling Stones hit the stage, rockin’! Is there a better Rolling Stones song in their catalog to begin a concert than the 1981 top-10 hit song, Start Me Up, from their album Tattoo You? Nope! That one is a perfect show opener. It wasn’t a dream. For me, I was fulfilling something that should have happened, decades before, that being seeing the Rolling Stones live. Sure did take me long enough! And what a show I was going to see. Even with the three main members, each being in their senior years, this was not a watered-down classic rock show. Performance-wise, believe it or not, these guys appear still in their prime. This was a real Rolling Stones show! Minus one man that I would have liked to see play on stage, with them. No Charlie Watts! Too sad! The Stones and jazz drummer passed away in 2021. It would have been an honor to witness firsthand, Mr. Watts behind the drum kit. He made it look so easy, no matter what song they were playing and always sounded so good. That said, the core players, Jagger, Woods, and Richards, and all the others who helped round out the band, gave the audience their money’s worth.

After the intro number, Start Me Up, was Get Off My Cloud. I do love the older tunes! Lucky me, because they certainly played them. For example, next was the classic, Let’s Spend The Night Together.

Visually, the Stones had a cool stage. With each number came lights and visuals that accompanied whatever was being played. Besides the hot women in the audience, lots of eye candy. Celebrities as well. From Black Sabbath, bass player extraordinaire Geezer Butler was there. I just got done pre-ordering his autobiography. Comes out soon! I already anticipate some wild stories about his long career. Mr. Butler is a fantastic bass player whom I was fortunately able to see play live, on three different occasions, over the years. Oh, and then pop music’s Celine Dion was there seen dancing in the aisles. The woman is a world-renowned entertainer. I believe she is retired now. In the press, they are saying she is having health problems. Still able to attend rock concerts! Good for her! That’s the fighting spirit!

The Rolling Stones are currently out promoting a kick-ass new studio album called; Hackney Diamonds. Of course, I have the CD. In a nutshell, I can say it’s my favorite new Rolling Stones album, since Dirty Works (1986). It’s one of those records/CDs that you can play from start to finish, and not hear one lame song. Even the slower-paced songs hold your attention. Three numbers were played from Hackney Diamonds, this evening. Must have made the concert extra exciting for those who had seen the band before, by getting to witness the group play brand-new material.

It was hard to believe sitting there while the Stones were on stage, the selections from their vast catalog that I was hearing. If I got to pick out songs for the set list, many of these would have been requests. I tried staying away from anything (social media) that would spill the beans on what tunes were going to be played. Warming up for the event, I mostly played Hackney Diamonds leading up to the show. I broke that up a little by playing an album I fell into, back in the 70s; The Rolling Stones – Some Girls (1978).

I didn’t take any pictures once the concert started. I have done this before at live shows, and later on regretted spending so much time, behind the lens of a camera. Most pictures came out shitty, due to the lighting, anyway. I did snap a few photos before going inside the stadium, of whatever caught my eye.

Set List (Rolling Stones – Las Vegas, NV USA 11 May 2024)

Start Me Up
Get Off of My Cloud
Let’s Spend the Night Together (tour debut)
Angry
Like a Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan cover) (tour debut)
You Got Me Rocking (tour debut; online fan-voted song)
Mess It Up
Tumbling Dice
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (followed by band introductions)
You Got the Silver (tour debut; Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Little T&A (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Sympathy for the Devil
Honky Tonk Women
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Paint It Black
Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Encore
Sweet Sounds of Heaven
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Uncle G’s Closing Thoughts

Mick Jagger was just too cool! At his age, he can’t be any more inspiring, The man doesn’t call anything in. He’s there, front and center. He’s all over the stage. Not resting on his laurels (which he certainly deserves to, at this point). Appears like he’s having FUN with life in general, and that reflects on what we see when he’s out in public, or out working hard, like he did this evening. I heard the vocals that I would expect. The man still has his signature chops. His between-song banter is entertaining, especially for us locals. To hear the famous lead singer and a member of rock royalty chat about current events/things here at home in Sin City. Played a mean harmonica. Mick’s entire performance/demeanor was exactly what I was hoping for. This is the guy I read about, heard, and seen in photos or moving pictures since I was a child.

Now, the Stones did have a backup singer. Not so much to help Mick with his performance, but to add to the show, which she certainly did. Her singing voice reminded me a little of the late Tina Turner, and not that she was doing an impersonation. Sounded wonderful! Easy on the eyes, I enjoyed seeing her on stage and watching her perform. The lady’s name is; Channel Haynes. I’m a new fan! She especially did an outstanding job doing Lady Gaga’s part in the new song, Sweet Sounds Of Heaven.

I‘ve been able to in my life, see in concert, some of the best musicians one would ever want to catch a live performance from. Didn’t see them all. I missed some giants but caught some as well. Accounts on the circumstances. You know, I was thinking of catching some comedy shows, next. Different vibe! I digress…I wanna acknowledge guitarists. I’ve seen Jimmy Page, Steve Howe, and Pete Townshend play live, in which they all blew me away. I saw Slash with Guns N’ Roses play a few years ago; wow! All of these players, and I’m naming just a handful that I saw since I started going to concerts, in the mid-1970s. All guitar players mentioned are phenomenal at what they do. Within the band, The Rolling Stones, are two legendary guitarists that I now have the pleasure of being able to say that I saw perform, Ronnie Wood, and Keith Richards. Holy shit! I could listen to just these two guys, all night. My favorite part of the show with them was Keith’s two songs, You Got The Silver, and A Little T & A.

I first saw drummer Steve Jordan play live when he was with the house band on the TV program; Late Night with David Letterman. Back in the 1980s. I was a fan of the show, back then. I had a Sony Betamax player and would record the show at night while I slept, and watch it while eating dinner after work, the next day. One time, my first wife and I ventured into New York City and caught a taping. It was a rather unique experience. The band came out first to warm up the audience. You got to see/hear them perform songs in their entirety, instead of just the intros and outros you get on the television. Was great! Since his days doing that, Steve has moved on and has had a record of successful gigs ever since, including this one. Age-wise, Steve is slightly older than me. Like the others, gave an amazing performance here in Vegas!

In Closing

The Rolling Stones came to Las Vegas to put on a show, and grateful for being able to attend, watched them kick-ass! No complaints from this blue-collar writer about the concert, whatsoever. Many professional musicians half the age of the core players, would have a hard time keeping up with them.

Extra-Extra…read all about it. The Rolling Stones has a new studio album out, that doesn’t suck. Thank you, Rolling Stones! And in concert out promoting it, y’all didn’t disappoint. Thank you, again!

The good news for you readers is that The Rolling Stones are on the road till the middle of this July. I seriously recommend catching the Rolling Stones if you can. Check their website or social media pages for details.

Note: Rolling Stones official images/logo from their official social media pages.

“Uncle G” – Shout Outs

To all the Stones and Allegiant Stadium employees who worked the concert, thank you! From the moment that I arrived at Allegiant Stadium, till the time I walked my way to the Excalibur Hotel & Casino to catch an Uber and head home for the evening. Y’all were helpful, and without, events like this could never happen. Hopefully, y’all got compensated well for your efforts. The concert itself was presented perfectly, from start to finish. A tad of feedback, but after all this was a real live gig and not some shitheads pretending to play while the audience hears nothing but backing tracks while watching has-been players, pretend to play. How sad! Motley who? There have been rumors. Enough of that, I say.

NuLeaf Cannabis Dispensary (Las Vegas): I purchased a disposable, and vaped discreetly, without wanting to annoy/bother anyone, throughout the evening. My thanks to all the cool folks associated with NuLeaf. The truth is that when driving there, I pass several other dispensaries to get to this one. Why? One of a kind! Reasonable prices, and they treat the Las Vegas locals nicely. I strongly recommend them when it comes to your cannabis needs, anytime when in the Las Vegas area!

Official Rolling Stones Website – www.rollingstones.com

End of Article

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