The recent, once in a lifetime Rolling Stones 14 On Fire concert left me on a natural high for days, and pondering about life, nature versus nurture and how to get the most out of a Stones concert.
 |
|
© The Ponder Room
|
First four secrets to enjoying a fantastic concert …Support act
When the lights went down and the stage turned red, we were shocked to hear the voiceover guy announce ‘Please welcome, The Rolling Stones’. So my first tip to anyone going is, don’t wait in the bar thinking you’ll miss the support act. If you do you’ll be kicking yourself when you hear the unmistakable initial bars of the open song, like ‘Start me up’.
 |
| © The Ponder Room |
Go to the toilet first
Make sure you have all the drinks you want with you, and that you’ve gone to the loo. No seriously, you’ll thank me for this advice as there’s no intermission. That’s right Jagger, Richards, Woods and Watts remained on stage the whole time (except for a brief departure from Jagger, which allowed Richards to exercise his vocal chords).
 |
| © The Ponder Room |
Comfy shoes
The nearly 14,000 strong crowd at Perth Arena was dancing as soon as the first note of ‘Start Me Up’ was struck at 8.30pm on Wednesday night, and stayed that way until nearly 11pm when the concert finished. The same thing happened during the second concert on Saturday night.
The crowd stayed standing when the choir sang ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’, and the whole Arena fell completely and eerily silent. I reminder of the recent loss suffered by the band perhaps.
 |
| © The Ponder Room |
Money
If you’re stressing about the cost of the ticket. Don’t. Once inside and the concert starts you’ll realise what a bargain it is. What would you really be willing to pay to see a legendary band performing at a level that’s far superior than several diva -laden performances from younger artists on tour today?
Life lessons
And now the life lessons that I pondered while watching the show.
While you’re being dazzled by the quality of Jagger’s voice and his signature moves, or Woods and Richards guitar work, and Watts drums, I hope you can take a moment to realise what you’re witnessing.
The Stones first came to Perth in 1965. How many bands are still together after all these years? How many people who’ve lived such full lives are still with us? And if they are, how many would have the vat of energy required to put on a show like this? cont…
 |
| © The Ponder Room |
As Woods lit up his fifth cigarette I pondered about my lettuce, tuna and copious exercise existence. Perhaps I should give it all away? Perhaps I should take up smoking and vast amounts of drugs so that I too could have this much energy at 70. Somehow I think there’s more to it than that, after all we did see a photo of Woods working out at the hotel.
Yet somehow Jagger, Woods, Richards and Watts all seem to be cut from the same cloth. They look the same, which had me pondering about the old nature versus nurture debate. Which came first The Stones look or the lifestyle? Do they look the same because they’ve lived similar lives?
Or perhaps …
 |
| © The Ponder Room |
Perhaps, as I’d like to think, all of this longevity and vitality is simply a function of these four icons clearly living their lives doing what they love. Fantastic music and showmanship aside, it was clear for all to see that they were utterly enjoying themselves and each others company. What better life lesson is there. To live your life doing what you love and just go out there and enjoy it. I did learn one other thing …
Most 70 year old men can’t possibility look cool when skipping, but then there’s Mick Jagger.
I really hope you get to the concert and if you do cherish what you are witnessing I know I always will.
For information about the remaining concerts go to http://premier.ticketek.com.au
