Like what you see? Help keep it going! This ad-free site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh content coming your way every day. Thank you!
The Rolling Stones live in London 2007
THE STONES STILL OWN LONDON In 2007, The Rolling Stones stormed back home to the O2 Arena after two years on the road, proving age was no match for pure rock ‘n’ roll energy. Jagger, at 64, bounded across the stage like a man half his age, while Keith and Ronnie kept the riffs rolling. Packed with classics like Paint It Black and Brown Sugar, the show felt less like a farewell and more like proof the Stones weren’t slowing down anytime soon.
August 21, 2007: O2 Arena, London, England Start Me Up/You Got Me Rocking/Rough Justice/Rocks Off/Let It Bleed/Beast Of Burden/Can’t You Hear Me Knocking/I’ll Go Crazy/Tumbling Dice/Band introduction/You Got The Silver/Wanna Hold You/It’s Only Rock’n Roll/Respectable/ Satisfaction/ Honky Tonk Women/Sympathy For The Devil/Paint It Black/ Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Brown Sugar All photos from the IORR site
Two years, countless cities, and half a billion dollars later, The Stones rolled back into London for three nights at the O2 Arena, carrying with them the weight of rumor, myth, and a combined age of 253 years at the time. Some whispered these shows might be their swan song—but fans had heard that story before. From the moment a maroon-caped Mick tore into Start Me Up, fists punching the air like a man possessed, the idea of retirement felt laughable. At 64, he looked like he might burn out in minutes, but two hours later he was still charging across the stage as Brown Sugar closed the night in a storm of streamers. Yes, the venues have shrunk from the million-strong crowd of Rio to a comparatively intimate 20,000, but what they’ve lost in size, they more than make up for in spirit.
Setlists, Smoke, and Satisfaction
The show was packed with vintage gems—All Down the Line,Midnight Rambler, and Shine a Light, cheekily sharing a name with Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Stones documentary. Keith Richards took over briefly with a couple of less-than-stellar numbers, while Ronnie Wood earned Jagger’s ribbing as “the Marlboro Man of Middlesex” despite staying smoke-free while Richards defiantly lit up.
What followed was a masterclass in stamina. The rolling stage carried the band deep into the crowd for a string of greatest hits, including Jumpin’ Jack Flash and a ferocious Paint It Black that stood as the night’s peak. Even the notoriously tough London crowd couldn’t hold back their roar. Jagger, clearly moved, teased the audience about their future: “We’ll definitely continue till Sunday.” For all the talk of farewells, it was hard to believe these rock survivors were anywhere near done. Bigger Bang or not, the Stones refuse to fade quietly.
Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
Stones Data on Substack
