Tounge Rolling Stones in Stockholm July 2003 Tounge

Finally the day has arrived. The Rolling Stones are here in Stockholm again on their '40 Licks Tour'. They are playing three concerts. The first at the Olympic Stadium on Friday the 18:th , the second at the Globe Arena on Sunday the 20:th and the third at the 'Cirkus' on Tuesday the 22:nd.

Stockholm Olympic Stadium July 18:th

Stones So on Sunday July 18:th I joined the crowd outside the Olympic Stadium. It was a perfect summer day, like it had been the whole week. After some shopping inside the gates I sat down only five meters from the small stage in the centre of the arena. I thought that here I would be able to see them really close for at least a few songs. Then there was waiting, listening to the Swedish band the Hives, and then more waiting. Finally at about a quarter to ten things started moving and smoke appeared on the stage, and then ....

1. Brown sugar: A perfect starter, but HELP! Where is the screen? I can't see anything but a small glimpse of Chuck at the piano. The sound is terrific however, and that's promising.

2. Start me up: Another starter, but still no screen. I'm starting to worry if I'm never going to see anything at all.

3. You got me rocking: At last the screen appears, and what a screen. Everything is forgiven seeing four copies of Keith at the same time. Now it's really rocking.

4. Don't stop: Their latest song, but it sounds like a classic already. So keep on playing and never stop!

5. Wild horses: Couldn't drag me away. No, I'll definitely stay here. Keith's acoustic guitar is superb.

6. You can't always get what you want: But at least today we do, singing along with Mick and the others. Lisa's first attempt to break the windows in the surrounding houses.

7. Midnight Rambler: YES! The song I've been waiting for since 1982. I have it on a bootleg from 1973 and of course on 'Get Yer Ya-Ya´s out', but I've never actually seen them performing it live. It was a bit shorter than I expected, only 10 minutes, but every minute was fantastic.

8. Tumbling dice: Say no more! This one could never be wrong. Now it's time to introduce the band. When Ron and Charlie are introduced everyone is screaming. Finally we get Keith, who starts playing...

Keith 9. Slipping away: Time for Mick to take a break. Keith does a good job replacing him. His voice is strong and the guitars sound really good.

10. Happy: We are very happy Keith, and so are you it seems. Ron on some kind of steel guitar.

11. Sympathy for the Devil: The heat is on. We can feel the flames burning all the way down to the middle of the arena. Lisa and the choir have a hard competition from the audience singing 'Hoo, hoo...' like maniacs. Pleased to meat you Mick.

12. Respectable: Now the band has moved to the centre stage. I've never been so close to them before. Mick and Ron are mostly on our side, and later Keith comes over too. Happiness is complete.

13. Mannish boy: The surprise of the evening. I've only heard it on the Love You Live album before, and it was even better here.

14. Street fighting man: Their last song on the centre stage, but a real classic one. Keith and Ron are hammering on their guitars and we are just swept away.

15. Gimmie shelter: Back on the main stage again it's time for Lisa to join in. This song has always given me thrills, and she takes it to new heights, first her solo in the middle and then a duet with Mick.

16. It's only rock'n'roll: But we like it. Another classic that sounds just like in the good old days.

17. Honkey tonk women: As always Keith does a perfect job on the guitar. On the screen a cartoon appears. Better close your eyes now children!

Mick 18. Satisfaction: If you thought you heard this song to boredom, forget it! Not this version! It was one of the best I ever heard. Mick says thank you and they leave the stage. But of course they'll be back, cause they haven't played...

19. Jumping Jack Flash: This is the perfect song to finish a perfect evening. Ron and Keith give everything they have and Mick is running back and forth on stage. If I weren't so tired I'd have wanted more and more.

Finally Mick and the rest bow to the audience and then disappear. The time is now quarter to twelve in the evening when suddenly the fireworks break lose. They are just great. If Stockholm wasn't awake before it certainly is now, and probably the suburbs too. So all that is left is to go home after the probably best concert I ever heard with the Stones, and I've heard six before. But then there still remains to see them at the Globe Arena on Sunday. I probably won't get in to see them at the 'Cirkus', but I hope I can at least give you the set list. After that we can just wait for a DVD from the tour. There has to be one don't you think?

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