2017 tour

Rolling Stones at Friends Arena

I had the fortune last week to work with the back stage crew and artist catering at

the rolling Stones Stockholm.

Friends Arena is not a new venue for me,

I was with the the opening team in the capacity of executive chef a few years ago,

so i have seen my share of fantastic events and shows,

even though its nice to be back again and walk around and reminisce.

Catering for a multi day stage build and concert is a battle against time,

the sheer size of Friends Arena is imposing,

new kitchen and logistical challenges are part of the work place.

Back stage building under progress three days before the show.

stage view from gate 2, one day before the show, lighting test

The GIG

Rolling Stones on stage.

The stage area workplace, lighting and arena is like a well oiled ants nest.

An endless procession of semi trailers "25" unloading and moving off to parking bays.

There they await the end of the show and the next transport destination.

Huge venues create challenges for lighting technicians,

not everyone can get close to the band to actually see whats happening.

We up in the stalls need to rely on the visuals as well as the sound to rock along to.

Bill Wyman wasn't there this year who knows who will be still there next tour.

Their music seems to have always been there and what a fantastic repertoire of classics they have.

The stage show is full of emotion from Mick Jagger and band a visual and explosive stage show is all part of their presentation, Mick Jagger, jumps and jives, moves and dances continuously through out the show, what a world class showman he is at 70 +,

as a front man for a band he's still better than 95% of his peers 50 years his younger.

Images, lights and music

Mick Jagger on stage

Moving on

The roll out.

The day after the concert, felt almost like a hang over, the carney had moved on.

Not much about the catering or food in this post,

it was the concert that was the focus

the music made the heavy lifts, sore knees, joints & aching feet worth the effort.

And then it was over

stage dismantle