In front of a small number of invited guests, The Rolling Stones celebrated the release of their first collection of new original songs in 18 years on Thursday night in a club in Manhattan.
The Rolling Stones, those marvels of contemporary technology, held a party in Manhattan on Thursday to commemorate the release of their first original album in eighteen years.
At Racket NYC, in front of an esteemed group of invited guests that included Christie Brinkley, Elvis Costello, and Trevor Noah, the Stones made a noteworthy impression with seven songs, four of which were taken from the just released “Hackney Diamonds” album.
Mick Jagger made references to other antics the Stones had pulled off in New York over the years to promote new songs, such as playing on a flatbed truck on Fifth Avenue.
His opening song, “Shattered,” a punk song from the 1970s with the line “my brain’s been splattered all over Manhattan,” was an homage to the city.
There’s a first time for everything, Jagger said to his bandmates after performing the new tune “Angry.”
Following the passing of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, and guitarist Ron Wood make up the core lineup of the Stones. Four additional musicians join them on stage.
Critics have praised “Hackney Diamonds,” a Rolling Stones song that was released at a time when many fans were wondering if the band would ever release new music again. Many have also praised the band for its crisp vitality. It launches on Friday.
That energy was evident during the Meatpacking district performance in Manhattan.
That energy was evident during the Meatpacking district performance in Manhattan. After Questlove’s opening DJ set, Jagger danced and nosed around on a platform that was far smaller than what he’s used to, which a roadie had prepped by sprinkling powder on the floor. He moved like a man half his age, even at eighty. His tongue twitched a little as he gathered his breath following “Bite My Head Off,” another song with punk influences.
Before Richards hit the first note of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” Jagger remarked, “You might be familiar with this one.” The song’s popularity quickly outpaced the thousands of bar band renditions that had been tried in the fifty-five years since its publication.
The Rolling Stones were the bar band this time.
Wearing a maroon pantsuit adorned with sequins, Lady Gaga seemed to be recreating her duet—a actual duet—with Jagger on the recently released song “Sweet Sounds of Heaven.”
She gave Richards and Jagger a kiss before saying, “New York, the Rolling Stones!” before heading out.
