Stones deliver firsts at London show

The Rolling Stones delivered a 23-song set in London last night, featuring a number of surprises for the sold-out crowd.

The first of their five 50 And Counting shows featured former bassist Bill Wyman making his first appearance with the band since 1990, and ex guitarist Mick Taylor joining them for the first time since 1981.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts played on a stage shaped like their lips and tongue logo, with the lower lip made into a catwalk loop. Fans seated on the “tongue” had paid £1140 for the experience, while standard tickets were £406 and nosebleed seats were £106.

The gig at the O2 Arena started with a series of testimonials from big name artists including Pete Townshend, Elton John, Iggy Pop and Nick Cave.

Jagger told fans: “It’s taken us 50 years to get from Dartford to Geenwich.”

Richards later added: “It’s good to see you – though I can’t see anybody.”

Mary J Blige made a guest appearance to sing the female vocal on Gimme Shelter, then Jeff Beck hit the stage for another live debut: a cover of St Louis Jimmy Oden’s track I’m Going Down.

The band delivered both new tracks One More Shot and Doom And Gloom, with Jagger playing guitar on the second.

Wyman joined in for It’s Only Rock’n'Roll (But I Like It) and Honky Tonk Women before Richards took over lead vocals in Before They Make Me Run and Happy. Taylor guested on Midnight Rambler.

After winding up the main performance with Start Me Up, Tumbling Dice and Brown Sugar, the Stones returned for an encore consisting of Sympathy For The Devil, You Can’t Always Get What You Want and Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Their rendition of the middle track featured the London Youth Choir – the first time the band had played it with a live choir.

The Stones play the O2 Arena again on Thursday, then Brooklyn Barclays Center on December 8 and Newark Prudential Center on December 13 and 15.

Rolling Stones setlist

I Wanna Be Your Man
Get Off of My Cloud
It’s All Over Now
Paint It Black
Gimme Shelter
Wild Horses
All Down the Line
I’m Going Down
Out of Control
One More Shot
Doom and Gloom
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
Honky Tonk Women
Before They Make Me Run
Happy
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Start Me Up
Tumbling Dice
Brown Sugar