The Rolling Stones, still as dangerous and vital as ever at SoFi Stadium

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As a dedicated fan who has followed the Rolling Stones since their early days, I can’t help but feel grateful and exhilarated after attending their recent performance at SoFi Stadium. This band continues to defy expectations and deliver electrifying shows that leave audiences in awe.

Octogenarian performers in the United States have had a tough month, but we’re lucky that the Rolling Stones continue to put on energetic concerts just like before.

At SoFi Stadium on a Wednesday, the Stones once again took the stage, continuing their long-standing tradition going back decades. They came to promote their latest rock and roll album, released last year and filled with fresh and catchy riffs named “Hackney Diamonds.” With the loss of their cherished drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, they could have easily turned these shows into a heartfelt trip down memory lane for fans.

Instead of expressing sentimentality during their performance on Wednesday, The Stones kept things high-energy and historic, rather than relying on past nostalgia.

As a devoted cinema-goer, I’ve witnessed the magical allure of darkness and grandeur that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood have brought to the stage for decades. Their entrance remains unchanged, yet consistently mesmerizing: “Ladies and gentlemen, The Rolling Stones.” This promise has stood the test of time since the Johnson era, making it an untouchable and steadfast agreement in the realm of rock ‘n’ roll music.

Mick Jagger performs with the Rolling Stones at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Wednesday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’ve always admired Charlie Watts’ unique and unflappable presence behind the drum kit with the Rolling Stones. Yet, with his passing, I couldn’t help but question the band’s future. Despite their proven resilience throughout the years, it feels natural to ponder when they might finally call it quits.

As a longtime fan of the Rolling Stones, I can’t help but be thrilled by their electrifying performance during their latest concert. From the opening notes of “Start Me Up,” which brought back memories of my youth and carefree days, to the pulsating rhythm of “Satisfaction” that left me yearning for more, the Stones delivered a raw, powerful energy that resonated deeply with me. Their music has been a constant presence in my life since I was a teenager, and hearing them live, sounding as fresh and relevant as ever, was an experience I’ll cherish forever. The Rolling Stones are more than just a band to me – they’re a part of my personal history, a soundtrack to the milestones of my life. And as I looked around at the sea of fans, young and old, singing along passionately, I knew that their dangerous pleasures would continue to captivate generations to come.

If you’re feeling disheartened about the state of the world, here’s something to be thankful for: We’re fortunate enough to witness Mick Jagger’s extraordinary performances on stage. His graceful hip movements and flowing shirt in the evening breeze; his crisp R&B pronunciation on “Beast of Burden.” Don’t let him fool you when he playfully claims, “Our first gig in San Bernardino was so long ago, some of you might believe we’ve been unearthed from the La Brea Tar Pits.” He still manages to evoke that smoldering passion merely by holding a microphone at his waist.

Show appreciation for Richard’s unique charisma as well. On Wednesday, the legendary, seemingly indestructible Stone impressed with his advanced years, turning them into an asset.

At SoFi Stadium, major pop concerts take center stage, making it a must-have location for flashy productions with backing tracks. However, we firmly believe that the raw power of a distorted, thunderous guitar riff from Richards outshines all the glitz and glamour in that venue.

The Stones hits — “Paint It Black,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Tumbling Dice” — glowed with a geothermal power, age-old yet still searing at SoFi Stadium on Wednesday night.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Today, Wood takes charge of the intricate guitar moves in the band, but when Richards belts out “Midnight Rambler” with Jagger’s howling vocals about Robert Johnson’s demon hounds, he brings the heat. The melancholic minor chord that introduces “Wild Horses” verses in 2024 became even more captivating as those hands strummed it. When Richards sang “Everyone’s asking questions, yes / I have one too… Is our future already written in the past?” during “Tell Me Straight,” his voice seemed to snap back at Death itself.

The classics – “Paint It Black,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and “Tumbling Dice” – radiated with the raw energy of geothermal power, ancient yet fiery. The band delighted in eliciting responses from audiences, both young and old, to the rhythm of “Honky Tonk Women.”

The “Hackney Diamonds” album tracks demonstrated the unyielding progression of the Rolling Stones. They sought out young producer Andrew Watt, known as the “boomer-whisperer” in contemporary rock, for their first original LP since 2005 due to this reason. The songs “Angry” and “Mess It Up” were tailor-made for the Stones at this point – packed with fiery guitar riffs and a swaggering attitude reflective of a band that remains highly influential in modern music.

If you’re in despair about the world, be grateful for this at least: We’re alive to see the mastery and vigor that Mick Jagger brings to every stage.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

The Stones’ flexible backup band deserves significant recognition. Drummer Steve Jordan skillfully filled in Watts’ shoes, delivering both respect and intensity. Keyboardist Chuck Leavell produced stunning piano solos, while Chanel Haynes added Tina Turner-esque energy to the harmonies. The same goes for Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of War and Treaty, who kicked off the show with soulful Southern tunes of regal caliber.

Despite our visits to the Stones for their velvet-crushed gems and silver adornments, as well as their stadium rock’s shared traditions and expressions, the band remains displeased. No sentimental homages, not even to themselves. No reminiscing down memory lanes. Only guitars and the devil continue to clash in the late, illuminated years of what is likely the greatest rock band we’ll ever witness.

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2024-07-18 20:36