Concert Review: The Rolling Stones No Filter Tour in Boston
Introduction
On August 30, 2019, I attended The Rolling Stones’ No Filter Tour concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. The No Filter Tour is the legendary rock band’s first North American tour in over ten years. At ages 75 to 83, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts are now considered rock and roll veterans, yet they proved with this high-energy, two and a half hour performance that they have lost none of the grit, charisma and musical prowess that has made them iconic over the past five decades. This concert review will provide an overview of the setlist, performances, stage production and my overall experience at this historic Rolling Stones show.
The Opening Acts
The stadium was slowly filling up throughout the late afternoon as fans streamed into Gillette Stadium, many decked out in classic Rolling Stones t-shirts, hoping to snag a good spot near the stage. The first opening act was Gary Clark Jr., an acclaimed Austin-based blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. At only 35 years old, Clark Jr. has already established himself as a formidable guitarist with a signature gritty, soulful vocal style. For his 45 minute set, Clark Jr. ripped through soulful blues rockers like “Bright Lights” mixed with guitar-driven rock songs such as “This Land.” He commanded the stage with his skilled fretwork and effortlessly connected with the massive crowd, warming them up for the main event.
Next up was the legendary band The Wailing Souls, pioneers of reggae music from Jamaica. The group has been actively recording and touring for over 50 years and brought a welcomed laidback, roots-focused vibe to the stadium alongside their timeless roots rockers and dub-influenced songs. Their soothing melodies and rhythms, along with their seasoned stage presence, were a perfect precursor to The Rolling Stones’ more high-octane rock stylings. By the time The Wailing Souls wrapped up around 7:15pm, the sun was setting and the stadium was packed with thousands of eager fans ready for the headliners to take the stage.
The Rolling Stones Take the Stage
Right at 8pm, the opening chords of “Street Fighting Man” erupted from the massive stage as the iconic silhouette of Mick Jagger came into view, immediately commanding the attention of the 65,000-strong crowd. The Stones burst into their 1968 classic with an infectious energy, Jagger strutting and prancing around the stage like a man half his age. Next came the soulful rocker “Let’s Spend the Night Together” and the foot-stomping “Tumbling Dice,” with Jagger offering some colorful between-song banter and getting the crowd going right from the start.
During these early songs, it was clear these four septuagenarians have lost none of the swagger, talent or passion that has driven them for over half a century. Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, both appearing spry and energized at 75 and 72 respectively, were locked in tight on their guitar parts. And Charlie Watts, the 78-year-old backbone of the band, drove the songs forward flawlessly on drums. As for Jagger, his powerful vocals and unique charisma remained utterly spectacular at the age of 76 – he was just as much an performer as ever, gyrating his hips, prancing like a peacock and strutting proudly up and down a massive L-shaped stage.
Some Classics and Deep Cuts
Over the next two hours, The Stones treat the massive crowd to a career-spanning assortment of hits, B-sides and deeper cuts that highlighted not only their evolution but also their timeless songwriting talents and versatility. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” roused the audience beautifully in its hopeful message despite the unsettled political climate. The sweet soul of “Miss You” and rockabilly-tinged “Honky Tonk Woman” got the whole stadium singing along. A string of lesser played tracks like “Connection,” “Out of Control” and “Sweet Virginia” reminded fans of the deep talent within the Stones catalog.
Highlights for me included a rollicking rendition of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” that had Jagger channeling the song’s hellraising spirit, and a scorching blues-soaked “Midnight Rambler” where Wood and Richards dueled masterfully. During an extended seven-minute “Gimme Shelter” (with Jagger and Wood switching between acoustic and electric guitar parts), Jagger soulfully howled the iconic lyrics like a man fighting for his very life – proof he can still tap into raw emotion better than any other performer. A poignant “Wild Horses” saw Jagger accompanied only by Richards on an acoustic guitar before building to an epic crescendo.
Stage Production and Audience Experience
Visually, the stage production was top-notch, with huge LED screens surrounding a massive open-air stage and multiple satellite stages throughout the venue. Flawless lighting augmented each song perfectly as the screens displayed classic and new video clips seamlessly. Overall, the sights and sounds were larger than life, enhancing the live experience. Acoustically, the band sounded pristine despite being outdoors, allowing one to enjoy every instrument and each legend’s unique contributions up close.
As for the audience, young and old fans alike were deeply engaged from start to finish. Multiple generations sang, danced and enjoyed the communal experience together – a testament to how The Rolling Stones have remained relevant across rock eras unlike any other band. It was inspiring to witness such a diverse, massive crowd so unified and enthusiastic for these living legends after all these years. The energy was electric from beginning to climax during sing-along anthems and guitar/drum solos.
The Encore and Final Thoughts
After their main set wrapped up around 10:15pm, fueled by the roaring demand of “We want The Stones!,” Jagger reemerged to treat everyone to a three song, 30-minute encore. They tore through a bluesy “Paint It Black” before pulling out the epic closers “Sympathy for the Devil” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” By this point, diehard fans as well as casual listeners were all on their feet, singing and cheering louder than ever throughout the stadium. It was a magnificent, unforgettable spectacle of rock royalty owning the biggest of stages after well over a half-century in the game.
Overall, The Rolling Stones proved without a doubt on this night why they remain the greatest rocks band of all time. Their energy, talent, songwriting mastery and stage presence utterly defy Father Time after 60 years. One can only hope these living legends decide to keep touring well into their 80s. I sincerely hope everyone gets an opportunity experience The Rolling Stones live before they finally decide to retire – it’s truly something that cannot be described adequately and must be witnessed for oneself. The night definitely lived up to and exceeded all expectations for their first tour in over a decade. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts truly took us on an awe-inspiring musical journey through the history and legacy of The Rolling Stones.
Andrew Stroud