Rolling Stones debut at Glastonbury a “success”

The Rolling Stones made their eagerly anticipated debut at Glastonbury festival over the weekend. Their successful two hour and fifteen minute set received a promising introduction to the stage from festival organiser Michael Eavis, who announced to the crowd: “We’ve waited a long time for the Stones to play. For them to be here is brilliant.”

Fireworks from either side of the stage greeted the band as they emerged onto the stage before launching into a set list that comprised of popular hits including Brown sugar, It’s Only Rock and Roll but I Like It and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, to which the crowd responded enthusiastically.

Mick Jagger, dressed in a vibrant sparkling green jacket, addressed the crowd asking them: “How are you feeling? You feeling alright? It’s great to be at Glastonbury!”

Before he began the song Paint It Black, he expressed his happiness to be playing at the famous festival, saying: “This is great. I want to tell you something – it’s great to be doing this show, doing this festival. You all look amazing,” before joking that “After all these years, they finally got around to inviting us. Thank you Michael.”  

Festival ticket holders were able to enjoy the full set, while viewers at home were only given access to an hour of the performance being broadcast on TV. The ticket holders were also lucky enough to hear brand new material from the Rolling Stones such as a new song entitled Glastonbury Girl.

Speaking ahead of the festival, the band’s guitarist Keith Richards explained in an interview with Newsbeat that although the band had been together for a monumental fifty years, they had never got around to playing at the huge UK festival.

He explained: “It just never occurred. Many times it has been on the list of tours and stuff and for one reason or another it never coincided.” He added: “I’m looking forward to it because it’s an iconic gig and it’s an iconic band and finally the two meet at last. In a way it’s kind of weird that at last we’ve made it to Glastonbury. It’s like building Stonehenge, right?”

With the glowing reviews and positive response received from the crowd, it seems the Rolling Stones certainly did not disappoint in their long awaited debut.    

Molly Kersey