10 Must-See Moments from The Rolling Stones’ ‘Hackney Diamonds’ Tour

On July 21, the Rolling Stones will perform the final show of their North American Hackney Diamonds Tour, which has spanned three months across the continent.

These high-energy, fast-paced shows kept fans on their feet all night long. As we look back, here are ten standout moments from this memorable tour.

1. New Music From ‘Hackney Diamonds’

The new music from the Stones’ 2023 album, Hackney Diamonds, was a key highlight of this tour. It was their first LP since 2016’s Blue & Lonesome and their first collection of new original material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang. Not all tracks made the setlist, but “Angry,” “Bite My Head Off,” “Whole Wide World,” “Mess It Up,” “Tell Me Straight,” and “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” were performed live.

2. Surprise Songs and Tour Debuts

Although the setlist was largely consistent, there were surprises along the way. Songs like “Time Is on My Side” and “Emotional Rescue” made rare appearances, while other lesser-played tracks such as “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)” and Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” were occasionally performed.

3. Fan-Voted Songs

Fans had the unique opportunity to vote on one song at each concert from four options. Winning songs on this tour included “Monkey Man,” “She’s a Rainbow,” “Wild Horses,” and “You Got Me Rocking.” This interactive element added a special touch to the shows.

4. Mick Jagger’s Plea to American Fans: Vote

Mick Jagger reminded fans of the importance of voting, particularly with an election on the horizon in the United States. He often coupled this message with the announcement of the fan-voted song of the evening, emphasizing civic engagement.

5. Guest Appearances

Several shows featured special guest appearances. In New Orleans, Irma Thomas joined the Stones for “Time Is on My Side,” marking its first live performance since 1988. Tyler Childers and Lainey Wilson also joined the band in Orlando and Chicago, respectively, for “Dead Flowers” duets.

6. Opening Acts

The Rolling Stones selected various artists to open for them throughout the tour. Veteran performers like Widespread Panic, Joe Bonamassa, Bettye LaVette, and Gary Clark Jr. shared the stage with rising stars such as Lainey Wilson, the Linda Lindas, and Lawrence.

7. Lucky Dip Tickets

To make tickets more accessible, the Stones introduced the Lucky Dip program, a lottery system offering tickets for approximately $40 each. The catch? Fans didn’t know where their seats were until picking up their tickets at will-call that evening.

8. Steve Jordan on the Drums

Steve Jordan stepped in for the late Charlie Watts on this tour, a role Watts endorsed himself. Jordan’s talent and class have been evident, living up to the high standards set by his predecessor.

9. Chanel Haynes in ‘Gimme Shelter’

Chanel Haynes took on Merry Clayton’s iconic vocal part in “Gimme Shelter,” bringing her own style while honoring the original. Clayton once advised her to “sing it like Chanel would sing it,” a message that resonated deeply with Haynes.

10. Keith Richards on Extra Lead Vocals

Keith Richards got more spotlight on this tour, performing two or three songs per show. Tracks like “Little T&A,” “Before They Make Me Run,” “Happy,” “You Got the Silver,” and “Tell Me Straight” highlighted his vocal contributions.

Source: Rolling Stone Magazine, Insider