• From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2011-04-03
  • Posts: 593

Topic: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

Hubs and I went to see the Stones last night at the Marcus Amphitheater, a 25,000 seat venue and the smallest venue on this tour. It was a great show! Was it jaw dropping and gasp worthy like a Joe show? No. But we were totally and completely entertained for 2:10 by what some call the greatest rock and roll band in history. The energy was high – Mick never stopped running and dancing and Keith and Ron were quite mobile themselves – and the set list was comprised of well-known and well-loved songs. I think my favorite of the night was Midnight Rambler but when Mick brought Lisa Fischer up to do Gimme Shelter I had a few instances of goose bumps on my arms. Keith didn’t sing any backup vocals but he did a couple of numbers – Before They Make Me Run and Happy.

Personally, I don’t think the sound quality in the larger venues is really ever that great. That said, the sound was decent enough. It seemed when Mick was singing in a softer voice he was getting drowned out a little. For “Happy” Ron Wood was playing a lap steel and we could hardly hear it until it was time for his solo. He started in on it and I think Keith realized it wasn’t turned up. I could see him eyeballing somebody off to the side and saying something. Then they got Ronnie sorted and you could hear it for the rest of the song.

They played Heartbreaker as the online fan request and botched the end which was kind of funny. Mick gave the wave to wrap it up so he stopped but Richards kept going for a few more seconds. Mick gave him a look and a little shove with a smile and a few words afterward. But they were laughing and having a good time. Richards also botched the beginning of another song (can’t remember which one) but they glossed right over it so I don’t think too many people noticed. I rather enjoyed witnessing a couple of miscues. They are, after all, only human.

Logistically the night was a clusterf*ck of epic proportions. Traffic jams, idiots directing traffic, idiots driving cars, masses of people crammed into a small space, impossibly long lines for everything. Ugh, it reminded us of why we don’t go to big shows anymore. But at least it was generally a more mature crowd. I didn’t encounter any obnoxious drunks.

As a wrap, I’d say the Stones still got it! I even got a little teary after the full band took their bow and then the Big 4 came forward. So much history and so many great songs coming from those guys. Really glad we went.

LIVE MUSIC IS BEST
  • From: Baden Württemberg / Germany
  • Registered: 2012-04-13
  • Posts: 703

Re: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

Thanks for your impressions, Barbie! M u s t  catch them once in my future lifetime. Too many memories of my time as a Student in Aachen...

  • Registered: 2011-01-30
  • Posts: 472

Re: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

You didn't mention that the legendary Buddy Guy was there as well!!

4 Reply by BarbieD (edited by BarbieD 2015-06-25 19:29:01)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2011-04-03
  • Posts: 593

Re: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

bluesdeluxe25 wrote:

You didn't mention that the legendary Buddy Guy was there as well!!

That is correct. And he was fine. I'm just not a fan.

He did come out in the middle of the set and they played Champagne & Reefer.

LIVE MUSIC IS BEST
  • gary
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 4,767

Re: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

One of my  fav bands of All time.But only saw them once in Soldier field on the Voodo Lounge Tour.
That was a great show for a big stadium.
I also now stay away from the stadium shows.Not to say I will never go to one ,but have been spoiled by seeing Joe and other blues and rock bands in smaller venues

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

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  • From: Central Illinois
  • Registered: 2014-04-24
  • Posts: 293

Re: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

Thanks for the report.  It's good to hear that they still put on a great show. 

My only experience at the Marcus Amphitheater was not a great one.  A few years ago my wife and I saw the Foo Fighters there and while the show itself was fantastic, the venue's logistic (as you pointed out) was not so great.  The lines for the concessions were off the chart horrible.  I don't think that there was nearly enough concession outlets for the amount of people there.  I've been to many music venues before and I think that unfortunately the Marcus Amphitheater was probably one of the worst run venues that I have attended.  Or at least for that show it was pretty bad,  But that's strictly my opinion.   That was probably the last large venue that we have been to for a concert.

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2011-04-03
  • Posts: 593

Re: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

xland wrote:

I don't think that there was nearly enough concession outlets for the amount of people there.

I could only find ONE outlet for food - for 25,000 people!

Agree that it is a poorly managed establishment. And it started with the parking lot attendants. When we finally made it into the lot, the attendant was laughing at us so hard she couldn't even tell us how much the parking was. I guess we had crazed looks on our faces. This after being in an hour-long traffic jam to get into the parking lot. I assured her it was no laughing matter and she managed to laugh out "$20." I thought my husband was going to punch her in the nose!

I forgot to mention that Mick talked to the crowd quite a bit. He was very well prepared mentioning all the important Wisconsin stuff - beer, brats, cheeseheads and sausage races! big_smile

LIVE MUSIC IS BEST
  • From: Denver
  • Registered: 2015-03-13
  • Posts: 69

Re: The Rolling Stones – Zip Code – Milwaukee, WI

Be sure to give a listen to their new CD - Sticky Fingers Live.  I've had it on heavy rotation for the last few weeks.  Same songs as the 1971 release, just in a different order and recorded live last year.  In my opinion it's better than the original, but the Stones have always sounded better live.