The Rolling Stones delivered a masterclass in rock ‘n’ roll at SoFi Stadium on night one of a two-night visit to Southern California supporting their 2024 Hackney Diamonds release. From the moment Mick Jagger strutted onto the stage, clad in an eye-catching sequined jacket, to the first strains of “Satisfaction,” the band captivated a multi-generational audience with their timeless energy and magnetic stage presence. This show wasn’t just a concert; it was a testament to the enduring power of rock music and a vivid reminder that the Stones (at 60+ years as a band) in are still very much the Kings of Rock and Roll.
Opening Wednesday’s show at Sofi was Grammy nominated artist The War and Treaty. This husband and wife duo that has been blazing trails and making music since 2014, and they were a perfect fit to kick things off in SoFi. My favorites from the set were “Called You By Name,” “All I Wanna Do,” and of course my favorite “Blank Page.” While many classify the band as country, I walked away feeling they were a hybrid of that along with rock and blues. Their sound was amazing and left me wanting more when their eight song set ended. It was a perfect primer for what was next to come, The Rolling Stones.
The Stones 20-song setlist on Wednesday was a carefully curated journey through the band’s extensive catalog, kicking off with the unmistakable riff of “Start Me Up.” The crowd erupted, and from that point on, the energy in the stadium never waned. As Jagger emerged center stage (flanked by Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood), you could tell the Stones would be on point with an incredible energy and sonic presence that is truly second to none. At 80 years young, Mick Jagger has more stamina and energy than most bands in their early 30s and it isn’t even close. That’s not a brag, but fact.
Key moments from the evening included rousing renditions of “Tumbling Dice,” and “Paint It Black” (one of my all-time favorites). Another highlight was “Gimme Shelter,” which featured a killer duet with background vocalist Chanel Hayes. These two walking out hand in hand were simply amazing. And who can argue with one of the most recognizable Stones tracks of all time, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”? This one seemed to feature the entire group and highlighted to everyone in attendance what incredible stage presence this band actually has as a whole.
At the song’s conclusion, Jagger shared the following with the Stones 65,000+ fans in attendance: “We first came 60 years ago to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood, what we got was our first gig in San Bernardino, but it was great. And then we did this famous television show called The T.A.M.I. Show. It was so long ago that some of you might think we’ve been hiding in the La Brea Tar Pits. We have not been.”
After a well-deserved break in the action, Jagger came forward with a warm introduction of the band and highlighted the importance of this incredible group of musicians. Keith Richards then took over on vocals for “Tell Me Straight,” “Little T&A,” and “Before They Make Me Run.” This allowed the crowd a moment to catch their breath from Jagger’s wild and unbridled energy to this point. Yet, it was the newer tracks from their latest album, Hackney Diamonds, that proved the Stones are not just resting on their laurels. Songs like “Mess It Up” and “Angry” showed the band’s ability to evolve and stay relevant, even after six decades in the industry.
The overall sound mix of the concert was exceptionally well-balanced, a testament to the professionalism of the crew and the high standards the Stones maintain. Every instrument was clear and distinct, with both Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood’s guitar work taking center stage in brilliant ways that defy logic and time. And what about the silky-smooth backing vocals of Chanel Haynes and Bernard Fowler? These two were the ying to Jagger’s yang and captivated me from note one. Fowler sharing vocals with Jagger on “Beast of Burden” (which won Wednesday’s fan vote) was alone worth the price of admission. Wow, that guy has some serious vocal chops.
At the end of a 20-song set for the ages, The Rolling Stones’ performance at SoFi Stadium was nothing short of magical. Mick, Keith, and Ronnie proved once again that they are not merely surviving but thriving, defying time and space with every note. For fans old and new, the Hackney Diamonds tour is a must-see. As the final chords of “Satisfaction” echoed through the stadium and fireworks erupted around the stage, the two+ hour show sadly came to an end for all of us at SoFi. It was clear though their amazing performance that the Stones still have plenty of fire left in them and look to have no signs of slowing down any time soon. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness rock history in the making—check out The Rolling Stones on their current tour and experience the magic for yourself. It’s a show you will never forget.
THE WAR AND TREATY
For more information on upcoming tour dates and tickets, visit The Rolling Stones’ official website HERE.
