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The Rolling Stones Fan Club of Europe
It's Only Rock'n Roll

Don Valley Stadium
Sheffield, England, UK
Sunday June 6, 1999

Please email all your memories and reviews! Thanks!

Review by Andy Knightm London, UK

Well, I had been waiting for this gig since December 97 when the tickets went on sale. And now, finally, the day had arrived!! I saw them in Paris last July because I couldn't wait until now, but I was looking forward to this one even more, because I knew that the set list had changed a lot from the standard BtB set list.

I have to say the stadium itself is very unimpressive on looks, and a bit smaller than I expected, but, hey, this means it is easier to get near the front !! The weather was pretty crap all day - quite chilly, and it rained for almost the entire time between doors opening and Sheryl Crow. She played really well, looking very sexy in black.

Then, after months of waiting, the music tape faded out, the crowd started cheering, and those HUGE curtains opened again to reveal the ''juiced' video sequence, which I had never seen before. I don't know which I prefer, I think the BtB opening is more dramatic with the explosion, but seeing the stones 'approaching the stage' is very effective, although (and this is getting VERY picky!!) the 2 or 3 seconds in between the last 'thud' amd the opening chords of Jumping Jack Flash seemed too long...

Oh well, all was forgotten when I saw Charlie leap onto his drum stool, and then Keith strolled out to open the show!!!! And they're on!!!!!! The crowd were going crazy, especially the first 6 or 7 rows - I was about 10 rows back on the pitch, with one person between me and the centre walkway to the b-stage.

The general standard of playing was excellent, and the variety of songs, and the 'new' order that I had not seen yet, made it extra special. Highlights were Out of Control, both of Keiths songs, Midnight Rambler was amazing(I have never heard this live !!). In fact I had never seen about 7 of tonights songs played live before, which was what made it so great !!!!

The b-stage was amazing, and then it started to rain again!!! Oh well, spirits were still high, and we got an amazing 'sympathy', with unbelievable lighting effects. The last rock'n'roll hits section was great, each song sounding fresh. I didn't know whether to expect 'Satisfaction' or not, but when they finished with Brown Sugar, I thought we would probably get it for the encore. And sure enough we did!!

I'm sure they used more fireworks this time than when I saw them in Paris- they let off a load after B Sugar, including the bit where the explosions go off on by one around the edge of the video screen, and then after Satisfaction we got a load more, including the explosion around the video screen from the beginning of the old BtB show starter.

Well, so there you have it, an amazing show, despite the rain, and the set list is just great, including a beautiful 'Ruby Tuesday'. Hope I make the club gig, and I also have both the Wembley shows to look forward to. 

Start time:  20:50
End time  :  22:55

The set list:

  1. Jumping Jack Flash
  2. You Got Me Rocking
  3. Live With Me
  4. Respectable
  5. Gimme Shelter
  6. Ruby Tuesday
  7. Honky Tonk Women (with Sheryl Crow)
  8. Saint of Me
  9. Out Of Control
  10. Paint It Black
    -- Introductions --
  11. Before They Make Me Run (Keith)
  12. You Don't Have To Mean It (Keith)
  13. Route 66 (B-stage)
  14. Like A Rolling Stone (B-stage)
  15. Midnight Rambler (B-stage)
  16. Sympathy For The Devil
  17. Tumbling Dice
  18. It's Only Rock'n Roll
  19. Start Me Up
  20. Brown Sugar
  21. Satisfaction (encore)

Review by Leona & Chris Morris

The Stones were incredible in Sheffield. So defiant in all that rain. They performed so brilliantly that virtually no-one left the field and open seats. Magnificent! We took our young nieces to their first ever Stones' concert and they loved it all - but especially "Ruby Tuesday" and "You don't have to mean it" My favourite is still "Out of Control" with "Midnight Rambler" close behind.

Review by Bill Heaney

It just does not get any better than this. Midnight Rambler in the pouring rain was awesome as I was only 10 feet away from the round. This was the jewel in the crown. The rain seemed to make it even more dark musically and the standard of conviction to what they do best was at its peak. I can honestly say after the tenth time of seeing them that Keith has reached that peak he has been talking about for 25 years. If I ever see them again it will be to see if they can do it again.

The press reports:

Thanks to each and every one of you for supplying links to online newspapers, and reviews, of course!

Read all about the "No Security" and "Bridges To Babylon" tours of 1999 in the It's Only Rock'n Roll magazines. New issue IORR 36 out May 18, 1999.

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