surprises

The Rolling Stones Surprised LA With a Small, Awesome-Sounding Show

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JUNE 01: (L-R) Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones pose for a photograph during a dress rehearsal prior to the opening concert of the 2007 European leg of their 'A Bigger Bang' World Tour at the Videohouse on June 1, 2007 in Brussels, Belgium. This leg of the Tour begins on June 5 at Werchter Park, Belgium and is due to be completed in August in London, England. (Photo by Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ron Wood;Mick Jagger;Keith Richards;Charlie Watts
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JUNE 01: (L-R) Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones pose for a photograph during a dress rehearsal prior to the opening concert of the 2007 European leg of their ‘A Bigger Bang’ World Tour at the Videohouse on June 1, 2007 in Brussels, Belgium. This leg of the Tour begins on June 5 at Werchter Park, Belgium and is due to be completed in August in London, England. (Photo by Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ron Wood;Mick Jagger;Keith Richards;Charlie Watts Photo: Getty Images/2007 Getty Images

The Rolling Stones kicked off their North American stadium tour with a semi-surprise show at LA’s 700-person Echoplex on Saturday night. The gig was announced early Saturday morning, and $20 tickets were granted by lottery (though we assume that notable attendees Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Skrillex, Brian Grazer, Steve Bing, and Jim Gianopulos didn’t have to rely on luck for admittance.) The relatively short set list was heavy on the older hits (including “Brown Sugar,†“Jumpin’ Jack Flash,†“Midnight Rambler,†“Street Fighting Man,†“Start Me Upâ€), though they also busted out covers of Otis Redding’s “That’s How Strong My Love Is†and Chuck Berry’s “Little Queenie.†Sure, the band is 50 years old at this point, but video of the event suggests that they’ve still got it.

Rolling Stones Surprise LA With Small Show