RANT - Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds Tour Setlist

After only two shows, The Rolling Stones have dropped Out Of Time from their current Hackney Diamonds tour setlist. They also dropped Get Off Of My Cloud, a #1 classic that is only sporadically played live. In this video, I discuss and show you, the stagnant standardized setlist the Stones have used going back to 2005 (and in many ways 1997). The Stones created and cater to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[thomaswery]

What got me upset when they stopped playing Brown Sugar.They don't have to kiss up to anybody they were always the ones to tell people to f&&k off

[pablobarrera]

As a stones fan since early 90's, my pov is that their last true hit was Start me up.
Then after 2 mediocre albums they came back in 89 with a solid Steel wheels, and a fantastic tour, which was a huge step up from their previous ones in terms of sound and performance. But at the same time it was when they became a "nostalgic band", and since then, even with some really good albums like voodoo and bridges, they just focused on their greatest hits until today.

[jasonhochman]

I saw the first night of the tour in Houston. They played for two hours. When I saw them in 2019 they played two hours as well, which is impressive, and also, showed me how many great songs they have over 60 years of being a band. They simply can't play them all. I liked them performing "Out of Time" but it's not one of my favorites, and, I think that they played it near the beginning of the first show, so they hadn't really hit their stride yet. I was glad that they brought back "Little T&A"

It was clear from the beginning that they were really playing and not miming--at the very first note of the show, Keith hit the wrong chord for "Start Me Up." Of course the Stones have always been known for being a little loose and sloppy live, the essence of real rock n' roll. They played 3 songs from the latest album, but really got going when they played the section of anthems. "Gimme Shelter" is one of my favorite songs, not just of the Stones, but, of all time. It was true in 1969 and still true today. The female vocalist was great on this one. "Jumpin' Jack Flash" had a great feel and raw guitar sound.

They totally skipped over "Sticky Fingers" and "Goat's Head Soup, " two of my favorite albums. Also, neglected to play anything from the 80s, other than two from "Tattoo You." I think that there are some songs worth playing on "Steel Wheels" and "Dirty Work." Also nothing from the 90s-again, I think that "Voodoo Lounge" has some songs I wouldn't mind hearing live. I agree that they have locked themselves into a set list, and, with a stadium show, they kind of have to play for the casual classic rock fans, and, in a venue where most seats are bad, they have to play songs that translate well into a large venue. I am guessing that with frequent guitar changes, they are also limited in what they can play by the stage set and the equipment they have available. Overall, there are many deep cuts that I would love to hear, but I'm glad that I went, grateful that they are still out there, they met my expectation for a stadium show played by a band of guys in their 70s and 80s.

[terrylmiller]

I was so happy and nostalgic when I saw and heard them play Out of Time (on a show video); really brought back memories - and the true, old Stones. Miss Brown Sugar immensely too. We can't always get what we want. ;)~

[BCBlue]

In my opinion their best setlists were the 2002-2003 Licks tour. They play some songs every single show. I know they feel the need to appeal to those fans who want to hear Start Me Up and Honky Town Women. I feel fortunate that I have seem them play tunes like Lovin Cup, Moonlight Mile, Heart of Stone, etc. I agree with your sentiments. I too saw them the first time in 1975.

[ChrisPucci-lz]

Totally agree 100%! I understand they need to play the "hits, " but it's time to mix it up. Remove Paint it Black, Tumbling Dice, Miss You, Start Me Up, etc. and replace them with some deeper cuts for the serious Stones fans. How about some Sway, Moonlight Mile, Live With Me, Let it Bleed, Slave, Neighbors, Some Girls, etc.

[LummiTV]

I totally agree with what you say. The connection you make between the casual fan and the Stones being artist is so true.
To me, the Stones stopped thinking like artists when Mick Jagger stopped making solo albums. He was probably disappointed with the sales figures and then focused entirely on this version of the Stones. I really can't hear this talk about the casual fan anymore. I've been a Stones fan my whole life. I saw the band live for the first time in 1982 and have been on every tour since then. Like you, I buy every box set, every version of an album, no matter how many times it has been released, every book, every poster, simply everything. I imagine people like you and me have done a lot more for the status of the band than the people you describe in your rant. And yet we are basically punished by our heroes because the casual fan wants to hear satisfaction. I'm not naive either, the Stones are corporate rock and the company has to be served. It just slowly makes you tired and the band loses sympathy. A quick bit about the setlist: Richards only sings one song. Then why not the one from the new album? After more than 30 years he writes a real gem and then they don't play it? I don't get it. Alan, best rant ever. Keep on doing the good stuff.

[MichaelCrawford-nr]

I agree here, when they took away Brown Sugar, a favorite

[manomusic]

Sadly, I have to agree with your sentiments on the recent setlists the Rolling Stones have chosen to perform live in concert. I seen them play the Rose Bowl in Pasadena a few years ago and it was so predictable, I actually left before the encore. If you can't treat your TRUE FANS with a deep cut or a completely different setlist from city to city, then it's time to call it a day or worse yet, start up a residency in Las Vegas.

[tarrtruck]

I agree with you on this one. The Rolling Stones are no longer a stadium act. They have played way too many "War Horses" the past two decades ( playing it safe is a joke, the Grateful Dead have never played the same show twice in their career and their loyal fans loved them for that.) I was looking forward to hearing Get Off My Cloud and Out Of Time but who knows, one of us might get lucky (or not.)

[fizzlebomber]

i saw that they swapped out Out of Time for She's So Cold so i am definitely worried about them not performing it this weekend in Vegas. I wish they would drop Can;t Get What You Want instead. We shall see what happens on Saturday. Wish they would do Dead Flowers, Thru and Thru and two more songs from Hackney. I agree with everything you said, it doesn't have to be like this but then again it is my first time seeing them perform.

[glendepietro]

You would think Mick and Keith would be sick of playing the same songs.. You would think they would get more creative with there set lists .. But yea "good to be anywhere" c'mon Keith.. we know we know...well at least you got to hear the 75 set list..

[joecozzi]

You are not wrong. Still going to see 4 shows on this tour.

[finchlear]

I’m a hardcore Stones fan since ‘75. Been to 15 shows over the years. I’ve collected numerous bootlegs from every tour. 27 soundboards from 1981 alone. I agree with you about the predicable set list. But the shows today are for people who have never seen them and can now say they did. Best set list I saw in person was at the Tower theatre in 2002. That was unique and fun.

[pkmcburroughs]

Hope you don't mind a random, non-Stones related question, but since you've been such a big concert goer for decades, have you personally noticed a difference in the amount of talking that goes on at show? I'm a few years younger than you, and I don't attend nearly as many concerts as I used to, but when I do, there is an endless chatter that goes on regardless of who or what is on-stage. For just one example--I went to an Elvis Costello with my daughter a few years back, and I was quite excited, because I'm a big fan and I'd never seen him in concert before, but it's AMAZING how much I learned about the cell phone plan of some guy in front of me. And it wasn't some young kid. So many of these people now seem to go out of their way to get as close to the stage as possible, only to spend their time doing just about ANYTHING but watch the show. I suspect some of them just want to document yet another "experience" by clicking a few selfies and posting them on Instagram or whatever. After that, the show becomes irrelevant.

Thanks in advance. New sub, btw. Just found your channel a few days ago.

[davidkunzli]

Stay calm, Alan. This is pretty much what I expected. At least we are getting 3 songs from the new album. The warhorses pay the bills. It will be interesting to see how these shows progress. Sing the song, my man!!! I guess we need to be happy with whatever we get. I am just hoping they can finish the tour without someone dropping.

[fizzlebomber]

It's crazyyyy to only do three songs from Hackney. I would assume Depending on You would be a must every show and maybe Get Close or one of the others.

[MrMojoRisin]

Hi Alan. I love your channel & great video. I was surprised the Stones succumbed when they dropped Brown Sugar from their concerts.

[DavidGutierrez-ibrg]

👍💯agreed. Still really looking forward to seeing them in Denver this tour, in fact, it'll be the highlight of my year, but would be nice to have less played deep cuts. Thank you Alan, a true Stones fan like myself!

[Joseph-ncl]

The setlist is difficult with a 60-year history, but I agree.

My biggest complaint is the lack on songs from the latest album. The last two – B&L and Diamonds are both about 48 minutes… Not sure why B&L became a double album… In a 120- minute set, they could easily play the majority of a new album, deep cuts and some warhorses. Or, at least half of a new album.

Even the Rolling Stone concert-review hoped for more from Diamonds.

I find it hard to believe that people who are paying up to thousands of dollars to see a Stones show aren’t also picking up the latest album. Even if they’re not, passionate performances – y’know, ROCK ‘N’ ROLL! – will draw listeners in. We’re all here DECADES LATER because real rock and roll touched/es us DEEPLY.

Thanks for your rant. It was needed. Now that Charlie is gone and they’re in their ‘80s, it’s clear that this can’t go on for much longer.

Sidenote. They need to consider dropping some songs now that Charlie is gone. Jordan is fine on the Rocks Off, SFM type material, but… I want to be careful not to be cellphone-performance critic, but some (many) of those songs only Charlie can play.

Side. Sidenote. Kenny Jones said this in Uncut. Keith said to him a couple of years ago at Charlies’ memorial at Ronnie Scotts, “Kenney, it’s only you and Charlie. You know that, don’t you?”