The Rolling Stones Rock Big in Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Field

The Rolling Stones came to Jacksonville for the first of 2 Florida shows on their 2019 “No Filter” tour. Over 50,000 packed into TIAA Bank field, formerly the old site of the Gator Bowl which the Stones played in 1989 and haven’t played since.

Jacksonville were ready and waiting on their friends! Wearing their team shirt, Stones fans wore every design and color of the band’s infamous trademark tongue. The most recognized logo in the world! Everyone was there, even Santa came to the show!

Opening the show with “Street Fighting Man”, whose lyrics include the line, “what can a poor boy do except to sing for a rock & roll band”. Jagger and Richards wrote this song in 1968 and never imagined they would still be playing it in 2019! Mick turns 76 this coming Friday! He was in top form, running from stage to stage getting the audience in a frenzy wherever he pointed. Wearing a black sequined jacket with black jeans, Jagger was on the move from the first note. Keith and Ronnie were busy workin’ guitars and Charlie Watts on his drum kit was keeping the beat. Right into “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (but I like it) and Tumbling Dice! This crowd paid good money for seats but never really used them, as long as Mick was moving, everyone stood to be sure not to miss a thing!

It can’t be said that the Stones don’t take requests, if you go to their website, they give you a choice of songs to vote for which will be the request song of that show. For Jax, it was “Monkey Man”, which is from the classic 1969 “Let It Bleed” album. The 70’s anthem, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” had the entire stadium singing to be heard down the street no doubt. The four Stones take to the catwalk to play an acoustic set in the end stage. This set changes with different shows. Just like the show setlists, they shake up the order and tunes. “Play with Fire” and “Sweet Virginia” gave Mick a chance on the harmonica. This is a special part of the show that puts the band closer to the audience in an intimate way, as you can be in a stadium setting. Many in the crowd sat down to enjoy this performance.

Back to the main stage, the production of red lighting is perfect for “Sympathy for the Devil”, with Mick in hat and tails, he brings that devil’s edge to the song. Keith steps up to the mic for two tunes including “Slipping Away”, with Keef, Charlie and Ronnie working as a trio. Of course, it’s not really just a trio. The Stones have a great backup band with Darryl Jones on bass, Darryl has played with Miles Davis and Sting. Chuck Leavell on keys, Karl Denson on sax, Tim Reis on sax and keys. Matt Clifford on percussion, Bernard Fowler, backing vocals and Sasha Allen on backing vocals. Sasha sings the famous Merry Clayton vocal part of “Gimme Shelter” with Mick. The hits just keep on coming – you know them all; “Brown Sugar”, “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Miss You”. Jagger is still movin’ like Jagger after 2 hours. There’s no flashy pyrotechnics, no gimmicks, just a great light show and BIG screens! Pure music from the World’s Greatest Band, who ends the show with “Satisfaction” and fireworks! A great night of rock & roll!

Florida fans are so lucky, they have one more chance to see this tour! On August 31st in Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium! It is the closing show of the tour! There are still tickets available, just buy the concert tickets and don’t miss out! It’s the Rolling Stones!

The Revivalists from New Orleans opened the Jax show! An incredible 8-piece band with charismatic lead singer David Shaw! Their single “All My Friends” charted No.1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative chart last year. The Stones know talent and a great break for the Revivalists to open for them! Check them out on their website  and YouTube.

Photos by Vicky Sullivan / The Sarasota Post