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The Rolling Stones
MCI Center, Washington, DC
Monday, October 3, 2005

The set list

Start Me Up
You Got Me Rocking
She�s So Cold
Tumbling Dice
Rough Justice
Back Of My Hand
Beast Of Burden
Bitch
Mr. Pitiful
--- Introductions
The Worst (Keith)
Infamy (Keith)
Miss You (to B-stage)
Oh No Not You Again (B-stage)
Shattered (B-stage)
Honky Tonk Women (to main stage)
Sympathy for the Devil
It�s Only Rock'n Roll
Brown Sugar
Satisfaction
You Can�t Always Get What You Want (encore)
Jumping Jack Flash (encore)

Review by Jeanne Kelly

The October 3 show at MCI Center was the best Stones' concert I have ever seen, and I have been following them since I was 16 (42 years ago)! The energy of the boys, and of the crowd, was so strong. My personal highlights were "Mr. Pitiful" and "Bitch". Mick's voice has never sounded better and Keith's playing was spot on. The only negative thing I can say is that the concert seemed to go by too fast!

Review by by Gabe Caggiano

The Stones show at the MCI center was outstanding. I first saw them in 1975 at the Boston Garden, then on the "Steel Wheels" and "Voodoo Lounge" tours, but the Oct. 3 show was second only to the 1975 show in intensity from the band and energy from the crowd. It was obvious Mick knew he was playing to an audience filled with politicians and seemed determined to blow them out of their seats. It was terrific to hear "Bitch" and "Beast of Burden", even though I was hoping for "Can you hear me knockin'" and "Gimme Shelter".

In a rare playful moment, Mick imitated Michael Jackson with several "Hooooos" when he donned his tophat for "Sympathy." At the end of the show, Mick kicked his energy into a 5th gear not always seen at shows now, proving this 62 year old man simply is not human. Every killer show is a victory over father time and Mick took a final bow alone in front of Charlie Watts' drums as the crowd of 20,000 strong roared with satisfaction. How the Rolling Stones can perform at this level with all they've been through is a mystery for the ages. When they come back on their next tour, no one will exclaim "Oh no, not you again!"

Review by George Koumantzelis

We saw The Rolling Stones last night at the MCI Center in Washington DC. ... We were 25 yards from the stage, stage-right, 2 o'clock, head-level with the band. I could see the wrinkles on Keith Richard's brow as he played his big fat Gibson ES335 with a Bixby tremolo most of the night - even on Sympathy For The Devil. What a tone! ... Jagger danced and pranced and sang and played slide guitar on 'backofmyhand' as Ronnie Wood played slide on strat along with him. Keith often switched to either of two of his teles, depending on the song, even playing strat on a couple of tunes. Charlie Watts was INCREDIBLE.

The stage MOVED out into the far end of the arena - slowly gliding across the room through the center of it all - so that The Stones were engulfed by the crowd all around, playing a mini set out on a little pod or island in the middle of a sea of adoring fans. The whole show had a very BLUESY tone to it. A lot of slide playing. Heavy on guitars! Darryl Jones rocked hard on the bass. Chuck Leavall smiled all night behind the keyboards. The singers were great. The horn section, with Bobby Keyes, was NOT overdone; tasty, like Van Morrison uses it. The risers and wings to either side of the stage allowed the band members - all WIRELESS - to move freely to within INCHES of the audience.

Jagger was athletically amazing - thin, ripped, and powerful like Bruce Lee. A JAGUAR in motion. But Keith stole the show. He locked-in with Charlie on a groove on every song, often sitting right in front of Charlie's bass drum, or standing up in front of Charlie and looking right at him as they played - all smiles. That's the AXIS - BOLD AS LOVE! of The Rolling Stones - not bass & drums, but Rhythm Guitar and Drums (just as it was with me and Johnny in Landing In Libra) - with Charlie following Keith, the leader of the band. At the end, they all came out for a grand bow to the audience, having given themselves to the service of the Muse - 100 % - as the professionals that they are. These men rock HARD! ... Man, my ears are still bleeding! ... Let It Bleed. ... YOWZA!

Review by Bob Collins

I probably say "that was the best Stones concert I have ever seen" every tour (1st was Buffalo 75), and from what I saw Monday night in DC, I would have to say it again. It was clear that this show was about the music, first and foremost. It is sad that just about every professional review talks endlessly about age and "relevance." I think that show would stand up against any show, of any band, at any time period.

I think they messed up on Start Me Up, but what may have been missing in precision was made up for with enthusiasm. By the second song they were in full sprint. Back of My Hand was pure blues; Jagger could have been covered in New Orleans mud. The B-stage set was superb and driving. I would have liked a few more "non-standards" rather than the mega-concert songs, but the DC crowd was clearly there for the standards. Although I have never heard JJF like that before, everything set to 11.

Review by Andrew Baxley

Monday in Washington was my 20th Stones show (first being the Philadelphia debacle in 1978). While the band played great and Mick remains the consumate showman, I couldn't get past the blandness of the song selection.

Sure, there were four new songs and the third ever Mr. Pitiful, but I generally don't go to Stones shows to see them cover their icons. Where was our big breakout from the old catalog? There was no Sway or Rambler or similar song in the 7-8 spots. I know it's too much to expect Let It Loose ever, but really! Beast of Burden and Bitch in the 7-8 spots and Infamy in Keef's set were momentum killers. Shattered was an uninspired choice on the little stage. The warhorse section needed something beyond the usual (e.g., "Paint It Black you devil!"). And the show was a bit on the short side (only 1:50). I expect better in Charlottesville.

Review by Nick Welch

A great show with great energy but an uninspiring setlist lacking variety of pace and style. It�s not the absence of specific songs for me, but the shortage of songs ( other than the new ones) which aren�t on some hits package or another. Perhaps the marketing people have figured out the majority of people paying the big money just want the rockin� hits�.

And no slows really for the full band ? Laugh I Nearly Cried, Memory Motel, Worried about You, even Angie or Wild Horses if we must�. Great versions of Beast of Burden and YCAGWYW but hardly slow songs as such�

I got the impression high speed and volume ( not helped by a poor mix) either suggested they feel a need to prove they can �rock� still, but it hardly needs proving, or that they are racing to the exit.

The set list problem can be easily fixed : a war horse less here, and a more inspired choice there, and ditch the cover or at least replace it with something that is truly �theirs�. A funk, reggae or countryish number would break things up too.and what about something from Aftermath ?

I shall see how it feels after Philly�.

Look, all in all it was a very fun night with a great band and some of the greatest songs in the rock'n' roll songbook, but there are plenty of others in their repertoire which deserve an airing ....

Please send your show reviews and comments to: [email protected].
The reviews will show up here soon! Thanks!

The IORR magazine

For exclusive reports and pictures from the Rolling Stones tour opening see the IORR magazines.

The Rolling Stones MCI Center, Washington, DC Monday, October 3, 2005