Rolling Stones: No Filter
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

AFTER several months of criticism over ticket prices — perhaps why this show wasn't a complete sell-out — somehow it’s all forgotten as soon as "Keef" hits that first chord of Start Me Up.

That the man with nine lives is still breathing let alone playing a two-hour stadium rock gig is surely cause for celebration itself, but, with a Scottish crowd, that was never going to be a problem anyway.

Indeed, the triumph of the Stones as a band mirrors the triumph of Keith Richards himself — they simply keep rolling on and on. Many thought that the 50th anniversary shows of 2012-13 would be the final curtain call for a group who were all at that time round about the 70 mark. That view seemed to make even more sense when long-time sax player and great personal friend of Richards, Bobby Keys, died in 2014.

Yet here they are in 2018 doing it all over again and visiting Scotland for the first time in 11 years in the process. Production wise, it's definitely a lot more understated than some of the big budget endeavours they've attempted in the past — just four giant screens for the benefit of those at the other end of the stadium.

So all these OAP rockers have to rely on is their own musicianship and vocal ability to pull this off. And, undeniably, they do. Miss You from the 1978 Some Girls album is the real musical highlight, jamming on for a full seven or eight minutes.

And, by the time they leave the stage for a second time after Gimme Shelter and Satisfaction, one can't help but feel that this was nothing other than a triumph for the Stones.

It’s been said that this may be their last tour, but of course we’ve heard that before. On this form, while there may br the occasional musical clanger, it would be a brave man or woman who put any money on that.

The Rolling Stones play the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Friday June 15 and Twickenham Stadium, London, on Tuesday June 19, details: rollingstones.com