Rolling Stones & Rascal Flats, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana

After getting to see the Grateful Dead celebrate 50 years the previous night, I would again be treated to another iconic band celebrating over half a century making music. For their abbreviated summer Zip Code Tour, the Rolling Stones picked a handful of stadiums and other massive venues in the US and Canada including Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Held on the enormous speedway infield, 50,000 fans attended the sold out event. The field was separated into three main seating areas based on proximity to the stage - Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Within the massive Silver section, we found a spot that was reasonably close to the front of our section, in actual grass, with decent sound, and with a view of the stage.

The opener for the evening was Rascal Flatts, who took the stage 10-15 minutes earlier than advertised. I had never been much of a fan, but getting to see the country pop band was a nice bonus for the evening, even if they weren't as popular as they were a decade ago. The band is composed of Gary LeVox (lead vocals) and second cousins Jay DeMarcus (bass guitar, keyboards, background vocals) and Joe Don Rooney (electric guitar, background vocals), plus a handful of touring musicians. They played several songs that I recognized and many of the attendees on the lawn seemed pretty into it.

Rascal Flatts Setlist
Stand
Me and My Gang
What Hurts the Most [snippets of "Take Me to Church" and "To Love Somebody"]
Love You Out Loud
Why Wait
Bless the Broken Road [Nitty Gritty Dirt Band cover]
Fast Cars and Freedom
[Unknown Song]
Summer Nights
Rewind
My Wish
Banjo
Life is a Highway [Tom Cochrane cover]

After a reasonable set break and sunset, the Stones got to work. They brought a ton of energy to the stage, especially frontman Mick Jagger and especially considering that he is just a few weeks shy of his 72nd birthday. Most of the main band members were dressed in something tight and black accented by something flowing and colorful. Mick maintained his enthusiasm while prancing and strutting around the stage. Keith Richards (guitar, bass, vocals) and Ronnie Wood (guitar) were more subdued. Both actually smoked cigarettes throughout the show. Between puffs, they frequently had a smoke in their hand while playing their instruments. We were far enough away that it was much better to look at the nearest jumbotron, but we could still make out the figures on stage as the actual band members.

The setlist covered many of their big hits, though they have so many it would have been impossible to cover them all. However, they didn’t seem to leave out any of their biggest including "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Gimme Shelter," and "Brown Sugar." The shows visual elements were engaging even if not particularly innovative. It was mostly lots of lights and a few projected images. The song “Sympathy for the Devil” was introduced with flames.

Following “Honky Tonk Woman,” Mick conducted band introductions, including the previously mentioned Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood (guitar) plus Charlie Watts (drums). Mick and Keith founded the band in 1962 as teenagers with Charlie joining a year. Ronnie joined the band in mid-70s. Original bassist Bill Wyman left the band in the early 90s. Also introduced were the numerous supporting players including a brass section and backup singers. Following introductions, Keith took over lead vocals for a pair of songs, “Before They Make Me Run” and “Happy.”

The band took a brief encore break, then returned to the stage with the Butler University Chorale to perform “You Can't Always Get What You Want.” They then closed the night with “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.” Being the Fourth of July, the end of the show was accompanied by a massive fireworks show which we watched on our way out of the venue. We then camped just outside the gates.

Rolling Stones Setlist
Jumpin' Jack Flash
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)
Let's Spend the Night Together
Tumbling Dice
Out of Control
Let It Bleed
Wild Horses
Bitch
Honky Tonk Women
Before They Make Me Run
Happy
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Start Me Up
Sympathy for the Devil
Brown Sugar
Encore:
You Can't Always Get What You Want
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction