The No Filter tour will start in Dublin this year so we traveled there well ahead of the first concert to feel the atmosphere and enjoy this nice city. We went to the venue in time and our friendly cab driver brought us very close to the pit entrance. The neighbours were really kind, even presenting some cakes to the waiting fans. The process to get into the venue was easy and all staff was helpful, well organized and friendly.
New tour or second leg of No Filter 2017?
The pit was almost empty at the start and filled up slowly so we got a nice spot on the rail in the front of Keith pit. The support act 'The Academic' was good entertainment. I didn't know them and they were a bunch of young guys playing some nice rock. The Stones opened this leg of their No Filter tour again with 'Sympathy for the devil' which didn't work as well in daylight. On with 'Tumbling Dice' and 'Paint it black' which came early in the set this night. Then we got our usual two blues songs. I love these two, but I would like them to mix it up a bit, play some other songs of 'Blue and Lonesome' like 'Commit a crime'.
“As you all know the neighbours protested against the concert, so our rocking rebels played 'Neighbours' here. They had rehearsed it a lot and with the license issues, no real surprise.”
'Wild Horses,' my all time favourite song, won the vote. The first time I heard it live and it was just perfect, such a lovely ballad. On we went with 'You can't always get what you want' and 'Honky tonk women'.
Totally new Keith set
After the band introductions and the massive applause for the 'kid from Kildare' Ronnie Wood, Keith could start his set. To our surprise a totally new one. He started with 'before they make me run' great song and the audience loved it. Second one we were expecting a ballad and he didn't disappoint us. Keith brought a lovely version of 'The worst.' It was a bit short, but so nice to see Bernard singing along with Keith.
The warhorses
“They didn't play 'Street fighting man' which was a bit disappointing as they always brought it so well in 2017.”
Of course the second part of the show consisted of the usual warhorses. They were well performed and the band seemed to be in better form than last year in Hamburg for the tour start. They rehearsed for two weeks in London and it paid off with a great opening night.
Mick was active as always, running up and down the stage, you would give him 75-years of age. Keith was in great form, playing well and enjoying himself on stage. Ronnie was all over the place. Even in Keith pit I saw Ronnie many times and got some great photos of him. Charlie was his quiet self as always, but he seemed a bit bothered by the chilly weather. There was a nasty crosswind blowing over Croke Park, but the Rolling Stones performances brought warmth and joy in the heart of the fans!