Our show in Marseille started quite early although the doors would normally open at 6PM. We went there at 4 already, straightly to the backstage.
First enjoying some drinks in the hospitality and then we went to have a look at the empty stadium, really impressive. There we met with the backline crew and we were allowed to watch the soundcheck. Wow, this was really special, as close as you can get to a private concert! They even played ‘Fool to cry’ which was amazing. Ronnie ran out on the catwalk to watch the match between France and Denmark on a big screen. When he saw us, he started waving immediately and afterwards he came to our area for a few minutes. He also met with Vicente Carrillo (www.vicentecarrillo.com) , a guitar builder from Cuenca.
After the soundcheck we went to the catering for a nice quick dinner and then back to the stadium for our backstage tour. We were allowed on stage, what an experience… standing on the big stage of the Rolling Stones, unforgettable. Then we were shown the whole organization, which is quite impressive, as well as Ronnie and Keith’s guitars. Our concert was perfect already, even before it started. Now on to the pit and getting ready to take some rocking shots.
The Glorious Sons opened for our favourite band in Marseille, great opener, best I’ve seen on the whole No Filter tour. The audience really loved it. At 8.45 pm the Stones kicked off the show with an energetic ‘Street Fighting Man’ which I think works very well as opener. They followed up with good versions of ‘It’s only Rock and Roll’ and ‘Tumbling Dice’. Ronnie, playful as ever and Keith really focused on his playing. Only one blues song, the ever present ‘Just your fool.’ The crowd loved it. ‘Get off of my cloud’ won the songvote and rocked the stadium. It was followed by a beautiful and emotional ‘Fool to cry.’ A surprise for many, but we had expected it because of the soundcheck. ‘You can’t always get what you want’ was great as always, and we already got what we need during this tour, so it had a special meaning to me personally. Followed by my favourite ‘Paint it black’ and on with a rocking ‘Honky Tonk Woman.’ Mick was having a great night, laughing and joking around.
Band introductions are always interesting with the biggest applause for Ronnie this time. Keith was cheered on for quite some time before he could start his set with ‘You got the silver’. He seemed a bit shy under all this attention, but his first song was amazing. It’s the first time I heard it live, really lovely interaction between Keith and Ronnie. Then on with the always energetic ‘Before they make me run’. Now we await the section with the warhorses. They started with ‘Sympathy for the devil.’ I can’t tell you much about the show from here on as we were sent away in the middle of this song. Why indeed? Well local security checked my camera before I entered the stadium and said it was okay, I got a yellow band to show it was allowed in. During the first half of the concert all was fine, then all of a sudden a guard from the band showed up and took my camera. I was allowed to have it back, but escorted out of the building mid show. I had a great night, but this really quickly dampened my enthusiasm.