Kid`s pit: 60.000 LICKS (STILL NO SATISFACTION)

KID`S PIT: THE LICK WEEK

You wanna know how it feels being next to Mick Jagger? First-person confession from Rolling Stones` show in Vienna.

(For Slovene version, check below)

 60.000 Licks (and still no satisfaction) 

No, you're not aware, where are you headin' when you enter one of twenty buses that are starting their way only from Slovenia. And when you'd probably need a map, when these twenty buses get lost in dozens of buses from countries all over Europe. I suppose you ain't aware that you're going on a concert of a band that maybe your mama was a huge fan of (or your grandma, if she didn't promise to be eternal fan of The Beatles). Maybe you get a clue, when there are posters with great red licks all around Vienna and almost everyone that passes you by is wearing a t-shirt with the same big, light red lick. And man, you really get a feeling it's pointing at you. Seriously. You get a clue of all what's happening just few miles before Vienna, when they tell you you're going on a concert of the greatest rock'n roll band of all times.

Battle time

Yeah, it's about The Rolling Stones' concert in Vienna on the 16th of June during their 14 on fire tour. And it has to be pointed out this gig was a thing to be fighting for. For many times. First, it started with war for tickets. Tickets for Stones were always right on the edge between pricey and they cost as much fans are still ready to pay for. So for Vienna (and all 14 of shows) the sign »sold out« flashed on your computer only few minutes after they were ready to buy. When you got the ticket and made it to Vienna, it was necessary to get as good place in front of the stadium as you can get. Fans started camping in front of Ernst Happel since early in the morning and maybe it seems strange, but next to you it might turn out to be sitting the Stones' fan from Norway and his mother, who had a bag, t-shirt and even an arm tattoo decorated with logo of the band. Forget about the souvenirs. Mission impossible. All of the visitors were practicaly roasting untill five p.m. when even a TV crew came and probably shoot it for News at 7. So when a girl holding newspapers with cover of Mick Jagger passed by, the crowd literally lost it and got into a fight for their own piece. When the gates opened, the battle wasn't even close to an end. The combat continued, while everyone started running on the big stadium.

On fire!

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Rolling Stones! And that's the moment, you're getting aware of damn thing. In the air so many hands, you can't see a thing, despite your position in let's say fifth row under the stage. You can't hear a single riff except screaming of elderly lady, who gets crazy at first glance of the band. On the stage appear grey-haired guys and in front of them is the skinniest of them all with strange dance style and likes moving his face muscles and wagging his finger at the public. Start me up got the visitors really »on fire« and Jagger proved he still got it and showed himself all over the stage. While Charlie was managing the drums with his well-known elegance, Keith and Ronnie, both in colorful sneakers, kept strumming their strings. Keith wore green pair and he stayed typically swoon, while Ronnie couldn't stop smiling and flirting with public in his red high sneakers. Later on Jagger said hello in german and explained guys are delighted to visit Vienna again. He referred to fans from Austria, Croatia and Serbia and forgot about those from Slovenia, but they sure didn't mind, because he didn't stop sending them kisses during the show. 

Despite their age members of legendary group proved their status, and 71-year old great grandpa Mick Jagger showed his good vocal and physical condition. Sure, the ballet lessons did their way. »Und jetzt etwas romantisch zu kuschen! Angie,« Jagger introduced all-time love ballad (actually written for Bowie's wife Angela) that embodies desire but is also a proof of Jagger's unstoppable favour for women. The crowd also got excited at rebellious Get off my cloud and other big hits.

It's only rock n' roll. But we like it.

But, that was far from all you've seen that night. Sir Mick all of sudden pulled his harmonica out of the pocket, but he also showed he knows how to handle the six strings. The whole show was visually well prepaired and so it was Jagger's image. During Sympathy for the Devil he steped into the Lucifer's shoes so he wore long red feather boa to feel more alike. Fans helped with accompainment and they also did blow their whistles in Miss you. Surprise of the evening was ex-Stone bass player Mick Taylor, who enriched the Midnight Rambler. Keith Richards showed his vocal skills in You got the silver and Can't be seen. After two hours stones left the stage, but the party wasn't over. It's only rock n' roll. But we like it!

Arrival on the stage started with well-known C and F chords of You can't always get what you want. Fans enjoyed the sound of Austrian academic choir. After some calmer melodies there was a time for big hit you sure know at least the chorus (even though stones are not your favourite kind of band). Satisfaction, of course. Satisfaction that took almost ten minutes. And Satisfaction that lifted the whole stadium up and all hands in the air.

So, if couple of old skinny lads didn't seem much, after such gig, one should admit they are the way they are presented. And so you are now aware you've witnessed living legends, that despite battles over women, drugs and changes in music industry stayed together for decades. You have witnessed something that started with love for only rhytm and blues and during all those years influenced fashion, haircut and (after all) lifestyle of people. You've witnessed euphoria that will maybe never happen. And somewhere in the heart of it is still the music actually. You're now aware of it, standing right under the stage, so close you could with little effort reach Jagger's leg and around you 60.000 people singing I can't get no Satisfaction!