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!
Most bands celebrate an opening night by nervously checking their monitors and praying the sound guy remembers their name. When The Rolling Stones kicked off their 2015 tour in Milwaukee, they opted to invite a blues legend and a college choir to the party, just to show everyone how it’s done. It was a bizarre, high-stakes collision of amateur enthusiasm and professional grit that somehow transformed a stadium into something resembling a living, breathing music history lesson. They didn’t just play You Can’t Always Get What You Want; they turned the entire Summerfest grounds into a chaotic, soulful revival that proved they were still the only ones who knew how to pull off this level of madness.
June 23, 2015: ‘Summerfest’, Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (Zip Code Tour of North America 2015) Jumpin’ Jack Flash/It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll/Tumbling Dice/Doom And Gloom/Can’t You Hear Me Knocking/ Moonlight Mile/ Champagne and Reefer/Heartbreaker/Honky Tonk Women/Band introduction/Before They Make Me Run/Happy/Midnight Rambler/Miss You/Gimme Shelter/Start Me Up/Sympathy For The Devil/Brown Sugar/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/ Satisfaction *With special guests Buddy Guy on Champagne and Reefer and the UWM Concert Chorale choir on You Can’t Always Get What You Want All photos from IORR
The Stones in Milwaukee: Magic, Mishaps and Musical Fire
The Rolling Stones hit the Marcus Amphitheatre stage right on schedule, igniting the night with a power-packed Jumpin’ Jack Flash that felt slightly extended and even more electrifying than usual. Despite a skipped #3 slot early in the setlist—briefly causing concern—it was more than made up for later, especially when Buddy Guy joined for an unforgettable rendition of Champagne and Reefer. Mick nudged Buddy into the spotlight, and once he warmed up, he and Mick traded vocals with fire and soul.
One of the most memorable parts of the night came from the mini Sticky Fingers set. Karl Denson owned the sax solo, showcasing his rapid growth with the band, while Ronnie delivered some of his best guitar work of the tour. Even without Mick’s usual harmonica break, it was one of the strongest “Sticky” moments in years.
More Rolling Stones in Milwaukee 2015:Moments of Humanity and Highs That Soared
The only real misfire of the night came during Honky Tonk Women. From the opening cowbell, it was clear something was off—like hearing a 45 record play at 33 speed. They pushed through it, though, and the rest of the set’s highlights more than compensated. Keith was especially dialed in, delivering Happywith genuine energy rather than routine, making this his most engaging mini-set since 2006.
Moonlight Mile, which initially disappointed one fan hoping for You Gotta Move, turned out to be the best live version they’d ever witnessed—pure emotion in every note. Miss You was tighter than usual, and Denson again shined. Gimme Shelterrocked as always, though Lisa Fischer leaned more into vocal theatrics than nuance. And of course Midnight Rambler was the night’s summit, introduced by Mick’s signature harmonica tease—proof, once again, that one song alone can define a show.
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
