On Sunday night (November 25), the Rolling Stones played their first arena show in six years, kicking off their five-show “50 and Counting” Tour at London’s O2 Arena. Needless to say, the fan reaction was joyous – but the authorities apparently aren’t so amused about the Stones playing over curfew.
While the show was not cut off like Bruce Springsteen’s epic jam session with Paul McCartney in July at London’s Hyde Park, the Stones face fines for playing past a 10:30 curfew, according to UK’s The Daily Telegraph(via The Hollywood Reporter). For playing until reportedly 11:05 p.m., the band faces a fine of hefty fine. The Telegraph estimated it at “at least five figures” (in pounds), while UK paper The Sun estimated it at $320,000 (200,000 pounds). It is unclear whether the Stones or the show’s promoter is responsible for the fine.
London’s noise curfew on Sunday night requires performances to end at 10:20 p.m. in order to leave time for a quick encore. Then all musicians must leave the stage by 10:30 p.m. (The Stones’ show did indeed feature a brief encore of just “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (featuring a full choir) and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”)
Mick Jagger reportedly referenced the curfew during Sunday’s performance, noting that the guys needed to “get a move on” with their set, which started more towards 8:30 than the scheduled 8 p.m.
However, the band’s agent is quoted by The Sun as brushing off the fine. “It means a big fine – but the guys just do their thing,” Bernard Doherty said. “There wasn’t a janitor standing there, jangling his keys, saying. ‘I want to go home’.”
The Rolling Stones’ second O2 show is Thursday (November 29), where they could very well break curfew once more. They don’t call ‘em the original bad boys of rock for nothing.
- Jillian Mapes, CBS Local
