By Greg
The time had to come in the life of this website when I had to write about THE Rolling Stones concert. For one reason I have HUNDREDS of photos Trenna and I took at the concert, and for another, Trenna and I had such a good time.
The Very Earlier Story
Trenna told me that she was keen to go to the Rolling Stones concert, at the WACA grounds in 1973. She would have been 16 years old at the time, but tickets were the same amount as a week’s rent, and Trenna just couldn’t afford it.
Then in October 1988 Mick Jagger toured Australia WITHOUT the Rolling Stones. Trenna and I did attend the concert.
It was held at the miserable Burswood Dome venue. The sound was shocking and we were quite a way from the stage.
It was literally a forgettable concert. I say that because in the first draft of this post I actually forgot we saw that concert!
The next time The Stones came to Perth was in 1995 and Trenna and I were living in Darwin. A kind friend sent Tren a letter, and all it said was “I’M GOING TO THE ROLLING STONES!!!!”
Trenna was not impressed.
The False Start
Then came news that The Rolling Stones were coming for two concerts, in the Perth Arena in March of 2014.
I quickly got on the internet and booked the best available tickets, part way up the stadium and a bit to the side (but closer than if they were in the centre). We were excited.
The Stones arrived in Perth and shortly after, news came through that Mick Jagger’s partner, L’Wren Scott in the UK had died.
There was a pause whilst half of Perth awaited news of what would happen. Regular reports of the Stones plane still being at Perth Airport suggested that they may carry on.
And then. They packed up and left. No one could blame them, least of all Trenna who felt strongly Mick’s pain.
New Hope
Everyone had been told to hold onto their tickets and wait. And wait we did……….
Eventually new dates were set and we had tickets for the first Perth Concert, 29 October 2014. A Wednesday. The same seats as before.
In the mean time Trenna had visited the ophthalmologist who wanted to do an operation on Trenna’s eyes. She said “no way until after the Stones concert”, and she was booked in for surgery for a week or two after the concert.
When the concert day came we drove into the city without any problem, were able to park in an ACROD (disability) parking bay and were there in plenty of time for the concert. Our seats were quite good and the large TV screens helped Trenna’s poor eyesight.
The Stones played great, the crowd loved them. We both agreed that was a pretty damn good concert.
Set List
Here is a link to the setlist for this first concert.
The Next Day
The next morning over breakfast I was scouring the internet and regaling Trenna with reviews, all very positive, of the concert. We relived it together and had happy thoughts.
Then….
I just thought I would check, just for interest, whether the second concert, scheduled for two days time, Saturday, was sold out.
I was amazed to find there were tickets available in the “Tounge Pit” – the Stones equivalent of the mosh pit.
“Eh Love. There seem to be tickets available for Saturday’s concert – and they are in the tongue pit, do you wan….” “BOOK THEM! BOOK THEM!” Was the yelled reply to the question I hadn’t asked.
“They’ll, cost us another $1,000?” Was my reply.
“SO!?”
“Right – booking them!”
Saturday Night
On Saturday morning Trenna had insisted that we drive into the city to the “Merch Tent” outside the arena where she bought a singlet top for the event.
Trenna had also heard from her very good friend Sue Brad (Bradshaw) who was flying in from Karratha 1,500 km away specifically to go to the concert with her sister, Judy. We planned to meet them beforehand for a drink – and no doubt a laugh (as always happened with Sue).
That evening we took off in the car but as soon as we got to the city the traffic was bumper to bumper – terrible and very slow. I think there was a cricket match on as well. We thought it possible we would miss the start, despite leaving home in what seemed to be plenty of time.
Sue started texting “we’re here, where are you?” …. “Where are you guys?”.
Meanwhile – With Sue at the Arena
Sue has arrived in plenty of time, even had time to go to the Merch Tent and buy a singlet top for the night – slipping into the loos with her sister Judy to don their Stones approved and licenced attire.
They go outside and find a bollard to sit on. A guy, no younger than Sue comes along. He is wearing an official looking ID Tag.
“Are you girls going to go inside?”
“Oh hi. We’re waiting for our friends, we are going to meet them before the concert. We have to see them now because the lucky buggers are are in the tongue pit and we’re RIGHT UP THE BACK.”
“No problem. Enjoy the concert.”
“Thanks, see-ya.”
Sue sends a text to Tren “we’re here, where are you?”
“On our way”
Time passes.
Text: “Where are you guys.”
“Caught in traffic!!!!”
The official returns. “Are you sure your friends are coming?”
“Yeah. But they’re caught in traffic.”
“They better hurry, it’s starting soon – hey girls, come with me.”
Sue and Judy are wary, but he seems like a nice person, and there are tons of people around. And he has got an official looking ID…….
Back with Tren and Greg
We eventually arrive, get through security – not much of a crowd outside by now – and get into the foyer of the arena.
It is nearly time for the concert to start, and we know from Thursday there is no support act – just the Stones.
“I’ll ring Sue, perhaps we can see her after the concert.”
Back with Sue and Judy
Sue reaches for her phone “Judy, it’s Tren calling”
Sue answers and yells “WE’RE IN THE TONGUE PIT, WE’RE IN THE TONGUE PIT – COME IN!”
“What?!”
“WE’RE IN THE TONGUE PIT!!!”
It turned out the nice man with the official looking badge was in charge of security for the whole Australian tour.
End of Part 1. Click here to go straight to Part 2.