Simply Abu Dhabi XIII

7 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I L adies and gentlemen, they are back! The iconic British rock band the Rolling Stones launched their '14 On Fire Tour' with a very special one- off show at the du Arena (Yas Island) in Abu Dhabi. Never having performed in the Middle East since their formation in 1962, the Stones wondrously appeared on stage ahead of schedule for their debut. Evergreen frontman Mick Jagger was agelessly lithe and energetic and the band kicked off proceedings with the perfect opener “Start Me Up” from their 1981 album “Tattoo You” and went on to deliver a faultless, technicolour performance that belied their age. Wearing a vivid crimson jacket, Mick Jagger, alongside Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, stormed the stage to the delight of an ecstatic, energetic crowd of over 30,000. The set list was triumphantly filled to bursting with a high-octane mixture of much adored classics, and the entire spectacle was backed by a full band and, for the second encore, a choir. Jagger was supreme in his delivery from the outset, declaring "Marahaba!" after the opening song as he warmly greeted the fans and shared details of what he and his bandmates had been doing since touching down in Abu Dhabi. Comfortably working the crowd, the consummate and iconic lead singer went on to ask if there was anyone from Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and consequently all the Emirates, further sealing a familiar connection with receptive and buoyant fans. Keith Richards also took centre stage at one point, the legendary guitarist singing two songs after swapping roles with Jagger, even announcing part way through to the enlivened crowd, "I'm happy to be here" followed, with typical light-heartedness, by "I'm happy to be anywhere!"

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