Rolling Stones: ¡Hola Cuba!

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 09:57:10 PM EST
Tags: Rolling Stones (all tags)

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How much do the Rolling Stones appreciate Cuba? Here's their message in Spanish.

At their historic free concert in Havana tonight, they opened with Jumpin Jack Flash. Cuban officials expected 500k to attend. The stage the Stones shipped to Havana for the concert was the length of a city block. Then there's the gear (which included 10 huge video screens by the stage):

Organizers told Billboard that the high-tech production meant importing gear in 61 sea containers and a packed Boeing 747.

The Cuban contribution to the technical side of the concert was decidedly lower-key. As nearly everywhere else in Cuba, there was no wifi signal at the sports complex, and as the crowds grew even cellphones stopped working.

No wonder there's been few live updates on Twitter -- few Cubans can access it, given their limited internet access.

The Pope, meanwhile, wanted the Stones concert halted because it was Good Friday. I'm glad he didn't prevail. (The article has the video of their plane landing and them disembarking. Pretty cool.) [More...]

Here's a screenshot:

This was on a poster outside the concert venue where people were lined up, along with the message, "Paz Colombia."

On a related note, here's the version of Sympathy for the Devil they did in Bogota two weeks ago. Jagger's voice is strong and even more impressive is his inflection -- you'd never know he's been singing the same song for 50 years -- there's no trace of boredom. He's even wearing his iconic red cape.

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Rolling Stones: ¡Hola Cuba! | 6 comments (6 topical)

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If you and I are working on Good Friday, ... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 25, 2016 at 10:23:03 PM EST

... then so can the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger even recorded radio promos for the concert in Spanish -- or, as the Maricopa County Clerk called it yesterday during and interview with MSNBC's Chris Hayes, "the Hispanic language."

We're caucusing out here tomorrow. (Go, Hillary.) Right now, I'm in the mood to go home and listen to "Exile on Main Street."

Aloha.

Just when people (5.00 / 3) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 26, 2016 at 08:27:47 AM EST

Are starting to like the guy he always manages to do something to remind everyone he's, you know, the Pope.

A Free Rolling Stones Concert (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by CoralGables on Sat Mar 26, 2016 at 10:56:55 AM EST

makes for a very Good Friday.

The Original Concert Date Had to Be Moved... (none / 0) (#4)
by ScottW714 on Mon Mar 28, 2016 at 09:40:31 AM EST

... because of Obama's visit.

They had to bring in everything, unlike most concert venues, this one absolutely no electronic infrastructure. It was a real feat in concert planning.

Tell the Pope Elmore City(Bomont) called, they got his back.

I was surprised that Cuba (none / 0) (#5)
by Mr Natural on Mon Mar 28, 2016 at 01:11:26 PM EST

had a large enough utility grid to power the Stones' amplifiers.


: They Most Likely Didn't Use the Grid (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by ScottW714 on Mon Mar 28, 2016 at 03:26:26 PM EST

The event was also logistical triumph given that the Stones had to bring in literally everything to make the show possible. All the crew and all the gear, right down to the generators and porta-potties had to be imported. It's not like Cuba is equipped to handle concerts like this. Damn, this must have been expensive.
And who actually paid for it ?

This entire event is being made possible by the benefaction of Fundashon Bon Intenshon on behalf of the island of Curaçao. Fundashon Bon Intenshon initiates and supports international charitable projects in the fields of education, athletics, cultural literacy, healthcare and tourism as well as other attempts to mitigate the impact of general poverty.
It is being promoted by AEG's Concerts West and Musica Punto Zero who extend their gratitude for the support provided by the Institute of Cuban Music in bringing this event to the people of Cuba.