It’s official – The Rolling Stones are to play the UAE for the first time.
The self-dubbed ‘greatest rock ’n’ roll band in the world’ – now in their 50th year as a band – are coming to Abu Dhabi’s Du Arena on Friday February 21. And rock it they will.
The news shouldn’t come as a complete surprise to astute fans, after the band’s official Twitter began teasing followers with the cryptic hashtag #GetWhatYouNeedUAE some days ago, later releasing the above video.
After ringing in their 50th birthday with a Glastonbury festival debut and a duo of concerts at London’s Hyde Park this summer – 44 years after the band’s legendary free gig on the same grass – there was speculation the Stones would call it a day: Mick Jagger turned 70 in July, while Keith Richard will celebrate the same landmark on December 18.
However the just-announced ’14 On Fire’ tour will see the rock legends roll on well into 2014, with dates in Japan, Macau, Australia and New Zealand after the tour opens in Abu Dhabi.
And fans will be happy to hear Mick Taylor, who was a member of the Stones from 1969-1974 and played on many of their most-acclaimed records, will be a special guest for this tour.
We’re also told to expect a stage themed on the band’s classic tongue logo, with a ramp extending into the crowd, and have been promised some eclectic cover versions on the setlist alongside all the hits.
Speaking of hits, we’re pretty sure you’ll get a raft – the band have closed their last three gigs with ‘Brown Sugar’ before an encore of ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ and ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’. ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and ‘Honky Tonk Women’ are also a dead cert, having both been performed more than 1,000 times by the band, and counting.
Mick Jagger said: ‘Can’t wait to be back on stage especially in Abu Dhabi, I am really looking forward to playing all your favourite songs and seeing you all very soon.’
Keith Richards added: ‘The best place in the world for me is out on that stage. Standby everyone… it’s back to where we belong, Me, Mick, Charlie and Ronnie and some friends all rocking out together. The wheels are in motion and we’re on our way… see you very soon!”
Tickets for the gig go onsale on Thursday December 12 from www.ticketmaster.ae and selected Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Exclusive pre-sale starts from midday Monday December 9 and closes at midday Wednesday, 11 December 2013. A limited number of General Admission Early Bird tickets start from Dhs395.
