ABSTRACT
Broadcast on television, the gig was allegedly the largest rock concert of all time with a reported live audience of two million. The tour also included the band’s first dates in China and two benefit performances at the Beacon Theatre on Broadway for the Clinton Foundation, added so the Stones’ stage performance could be filmed by Martin Scorsese—Shine a Light was released in 2008. The lavish stage set was designed by Mark Fisher, who had previously designed the sets for the Stones’ Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle (1989), Voodoo Lounge (1994) and Bridges to Babylon (1997) tours and would go on to design the set for the 50 and Counting tour. The Stones would obviously seek to play those places that maximised their returns, but this was not always straightforward. The Twickenham gigs were originally scheduled for Wembley Stadium, for example, but had to be moved following the delay to the tour caused by Richards’ accident.
