The Rolling Stones @ SoFi Standium July 10th & 13th, 2024

 Today is Mick Jagger's birthday. That's right, one half of the Glimmer Twins is 82 years old this Sparkle Saturday. A little over a year ago, I had the work experience dreams are made of. Well, if you work in the live music industury and grew up knowing that if you were born a boy your Dad would have named you Keith Richard (or Jerry Jeff, but that's neither here or there). 

I was working Electric Forest in Michigian when the opportunity presented itself. At that time I had already allowed myself to acknowledge that I was burntout and had started contemplating what navigating how to overcome the insurmountable repercussions of burnout amidst a busy work schedule would look like. How long had I been burntout but kept pushing through? Kept hustling. Kept proving I was't "weak" by not stopping? How long would it take to come out of a burntout state? These were just some of the thoughts racing through my brains while loading in a major music festival. A co-worker, one I considered a friend, scoffed at me when I shared I was burntout therefore looking forward to my upcoming break from working gig after gig after gig, unless of course I got scheduled to work The Rolling Stones shows at Sofi Stadium in LA mid July. Instead of showing support and enthusiam, she mocked me. That didn't stop me from confirming the shifts when they were offered. I had survived burn out for who knows how long, two more shows wouldn't hurt, plus, it was THE ROLLING STONES. 

Ravenously anticipted to be their final ado, The Hackney Diamonds tour celebrated the ledgenadary band's 24th studio album, their first collection of original music in over 20 years.  

Aptly sponsored by AARP, the non-profit that represents interests of people over the age of fifty, with shows stretching across the country fans of all ages flocked to get tickets to see the Stones live. Was it a publicity stint to sell more tickets? Only time will tell if The Stones will roll out on tour again. 

Mick Jagger with The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

On July 10th there I was,  at The Rolling Stones show at Sofi Stadium and again, three days later I was back for more. I wasn't only at the show, I was there to work The Rolling Stones shows.  I could hardly believe it and one year later I still can't. 

I was lucky enough to catch a them back in 2012 on their 50 & Counting Tour with who I consider to be their biggest fan, my Dad. That show was special in it's own regard. I finally got to see all the songs I grew up watching my Dad play air guitar and drums to be played by the actual band, alongside my Dad?! Priceless.

There was something inexplicable about being there for what could be one of the last live Rolling Stones tours. Even though my Dad wasn't there, he knew that I was working them and I knew he'd be at their show in Santa Clara a few days later so we both experienced The Hackney Stones Tour, together but separate. 

Those two show days were busy, stressful and long, nothing out of the norm when it comes to work. With the bump of an adereline rush to get us through it, as it usually does, my contained excitement kept my spirits soaring. I was thrilled to be there, taking in every moment of it as my team and I worked hard to cross every t and dot every i. 

Mick Jagger with The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I felt that working these shows in particular owed a nod to a boss of mine who's one of the best in the field, though they'd never admit it outloud. If it wasn't for this boss and the team I'd worked with and learned from for years, I might not have found myself working The Rolling Stones shows in the capacity that I was. Not to mention my good friend who connected me with the company I was working for. When I ackowledged this and expressed gratitude to my boss, I was met with an expected response: it wasn't their doing but my own. I believe it's both because it's not who you know but who knows you, coinsided with personal abition to go after what you want, or think you want. Don't let your inate fear of failure hold you back from discovering your full potential. Fuck around and find out or fuck up and learn from it as my boss once put it. It is only rock n' roll after all. 

There I was, my heart bursting with gratitude, pride and awe before The Rolling Stones shows even started. And they started their set pretty much on time both nights. 

Backed by a full band complete with back up singers, this marked their second tour without the beloved, irreplaceable drummer, Charlie Watts. Seeing the remaining three Stones together on stage was goosbumb inducing. There they were, living legends. Knowing that I played a minute roll at these shows made it that much more magical.

The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Both shows appropriatly started with their 1981 single, "Start Me Up". The song doesn't get edited on the radio and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself and give props to the then 80 year old front man for kicking off shows with a song featuring the lyric, "you make a dead man cum".
The glimmer twins, Mick and Keith, seemingly kept their distance from each other through out the show. Mick taking the mic from center stage to stage left, then stage right and down the cat walk over and over again. For a then 80 year old guy who's been rocking and rolling for more than half of his life he's still got it. That vigour. That Jagger swagger. His comanding stage presence was solid. With back up singers picking things up when he couldn't because his vocal capability just isn't what it use to be, he still sounded great and had plenty of sass to go around. 

Keith Richards with The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

For the most part, Keith stayed to himself deep stage left with some other band mates. All of them looking like they were having a good time, not only playing but playing together. He'd come to the front of the stage from time to time, effortlessly playing his key parts in the spotlight before retreating again and in an essence giving the stage back to Mick. 

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood with The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Ronnie, oh Ronnie. Stationed stage right but always on the move across stage to play alongside Mick as he sang, playfully play in synce next to Keith or jam with the rest of the band, he always had an ear to ear smile on his face. 

My favorite Rolling Stones album has changed over the years. From Sticky Fingers to Some Girls, Beggars Banquet, Goat Head Soup, Let It Bleed and Exile On Main Street, today I'd say all of those are my favorite Stones albums. Chills of graditude for being able to hear all the songs they played live coerced through my body making my arm arms stand on end. 

Mick Jagger with The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

If I had to choose my favorite moment from these two shows it'd be on night one when "Wild Horses" was qued. Keith doesn't take lead vocals on too many Stones songs but on this one he does and man what a treat it was to hear him. I had recently just listened to a "behind the lyrics" type of podcast that covered their 1971 single which many think is a love song which it is but not a love song about lovers. Keith Richards wrote "Wild Horses" when the Stones were about to hit the road to go on tour shortly after the birth of his first child, his son Marlon. Richards sang a few other songs that night including "You Got The Silver" and "Little T&A" but it was "Wild Horses" that really got me. 

Getting to to see and hear Keith Richards play his solo on one of my all time faves of theirs, "Honky Tonk Woman" on both nights was a huge, much enjoyable, treat. That song and that solo will never get old. I'm also really glad not to have missed another one of my all time Rolling Stones faves "Miss You" on show night two. 

Keith Richards and Steve Jordan on drums with The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Aside from newer stuff that is less familiar, every song they played was cause for jubilation. Not to say that their new stuff wasn't cause for celebratory excitement because it was but the classics just hit different. 

It was quite moving to walk through the crowd and witness first hand the magic transcended by this rock n roll band over the decades. There were old and young and older fans, starter families, parents with their grown kids and grandparents with their grandkids, most of them decked out in their finest Stones' attire. Looking up and around as cell phone lights illuminated  the 70,000 capacity Sofi Staudium in Inglewood, CA was another rush of gratitude. In the same way that the shows started with an appropriate song, so too did they end. With 24 albums under their collective belts The Rolling Stones could have kept on playing but alas each show at Sofi came to a close with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" which of course was very satisfying indeed. 

The whole experience was a reminder of how lucky we all were to be there to see these guys rocking. Younger generations say that The Rolling Stones are over-rated but there's no denying the greatness that is The Rolling Stones.

Mick Jagger with The Rollings Stones @ Sofi Stadium July 2024 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Rolling Stones set-list
July 10th, 2024

                            1. Start Me Up 
                    2. You Got Me Rocking 
        3. It's Only Rock N Roll (but I Like It)
                                 4. Angry
                        5. Beast of Burden 
                           6. Wild Horses
                             7. Mess It Up 
                           8.Tumbling Dice
     9. You Can't Always Get What You Want 
                        10.Tell Me Straight
                           11. Little T & A
              12. Before They Make Me Run
                13. Sympathy For The Devil
                   14. Honky Tonk Woman
                      15. Midnight Rambler 
                         16. Gimme Shelter
                           17. Paint It Black
                      18. Jumping Jack Flash
                                    EnCore
                    19. Sweet Sounds of Heaven
                  20. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                           

Rolling Stones set-list

July 13th, 2024

1. Start Me Up 

2. Get Off of My Cloud

3. Tumbling Dice 

4. Angry 

5. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) 

6. Fool To Cry

7. Whole Wide World 

8. Monkey Man 

9. You Can't Always Get What You Want

10. You Got the Silver 

11. Little T&A

12. Before They Make Me Run

13. Sympathy For the Devil 

14. Honky Tonk Woman

15. Miss You 

16. Gimme Shelter

17. Paint It Black 

18. Jumping Jack Flash

Encore

19. Sweet Sounds of Heaven 

20. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Bratmobile is on the road again!

Two years ago they reunited for the first time in  twenty years at the Mosswood Meltdown Festival in Oakland and Bratmobile is at it again this Summer! 

This time around, before  playing John Waters' essentric punk extraveganza on Sunday June 20th, the Los Angeles feminist punk rock legends have a show at The Belasco Theater with Death Valley Girls and Trap Girl on Friday July 18th!

But that's not all! 

The girls are also playing the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver BC on Thursday August 21st followed by a show at Revolution Hall in Portland Oregon on Friday August 22nd before heading back home to play South Sound Block Party on Saturday August 23rd in their Olympia Washington stomping grounds. 

These original brat girls are making this Summer riot grrrl Summer in a time when we all need to stand up to the man and fight for our rights. Get tickets to one of their shows and have a good time in these wild times. 

Face It: A Memoir by Debbie Harry

One week ago on July 1st, Blondie front woman Debbie Harry turned 80 years old. Growing up with a music loving Dad like mine it feels like I've always known that Debbie Harry is cool. All one really has to do is look at literally any photo of her to know that. And as far back as I can remember I've always loved the song "Rapture" and as I got older,  "Heart of Glass" but that was about the extent of what I knew about her and Blondie.

Face It, A Memoir outside of  Fabulousa Books in SF
photo by Nikki DeMartini 

Late last summer I discovered that the female punk pioneer turned music icon had written and released an autobiography. The news capitivated my attention while the title itself spiked my interest further, Face It, A Memoir. In order to grow as a person one must work through things in life, you must face them. You must face yourself. This is a hard and uncomfortable lesson I myself have been and am learning and putting into practice. I immediately searched the internet for where to buy this book. Not wanting to feed the Amazon monster, I opted spend a little more time and money to find it else where. Work would bring me to San Francisco soon so why not support one of my favorite bookstores in the city that's close to and has always felt like home? I called up Fabulosa Books on Castro Street, delighted to find out that though they didn't have the book in stock, they could and would order it for me and hold it until I was ready to pick it up.   

I'm not here to do a full-on book report and spoil any of her story, rather, I simply want to celebrate this trailblazing woman, sparking through her some inspiration in others. 

I was taken aback to learn that I had, to an extent, some things in common with her. She starts her story from the beginning, sharing that from birth there was a deeply strained familial relatonship bestowed upon her and a motherly wound that cuts deep. She had a modest upbringing. A beautiful and curious little Debbie wasn't quite sure what she "wanted to be" but she knew she wanted to be something. As a young woman trying to find her place while forging her own path, she endured unfortunate situations, one of which every 1 out of 4 women in America face. It's extremly brave of her to bare all on this front. She remained modest even in her most vulnerable moments, as not to victimize herself which is profoundly admirable. 

the back of Face It, A Memoir by Debbie Harry
photo by Nikki DeMartini 

She speaks of her humble beginigs in music, a time when there was no real place for women in rock n roll. It was also a time before the age of internet, where societal misfits had to venture out to find each other and sensitive creatives alike had to find their outlet. In those days many found both on the streets of New York City. Along with drugs of course. What a time to be alive! These passages made me yearn to go back in time. Would I Have surivived it? Who knows! I would have had fun trying. 

Along the way of the rise and fall and phoenixing of the band, Debbie Harry stayed true to herself and what Blondie stood for. The band Blondie actually didn't stay within the lines of any one genre throughout their career. A true testimate of  legitimate punks. She dips into her acting career, different romantic realtionships and different artisitic ventures. One of the more enduring things she shares with readers is some of the fan art she's recived over the course of her decade spanning career and what they mean to her. 

Inner sleeve of Face It, A Memoir by Debbie Harry
photo by Nikki DeMartini 

She didn't set out to be a star and while both names end in the same two letters, Debbie is not Blondie. Not Blondie the band anyway. She was not naive to the fact of how attractive she was. Being one of the first front women, espeically to an all male band, she used this to her adavantage. That blondie on stage that sang and performed with Blondie was a character. A personified vision of the band and herself mixed with with a outward presentation of Marilyn Monroe. Her stage alter ego in a sense. As striking and feminine as she looked, she was driven by androgyny. Listen again to a song by Blondie and you will find that anyone, any gender (or non-gender) can sing it. That was no accident. Resisting to conform to cultural and societal constraits is again very punk rock, even if Blondie was and still is considered new wave. 

Reading the 500 or so pages of her book, which I got as a hardback, was easy, though traveling with it was not as easy. The style of her writing is is very conversational. It reminded me of reading Keith Richards' autobiogrpahy, Life. It's almost as if you can hear them talking and they're talking to you like an old friend would. No filter, witty and full of charm. Not trying to convince you of anything, just telling you how it is, was or could have been without needing or wanting anything in return. She speaks of the past in comaprison to the present. She talks about her role as an activist on certain issues, which  is another testimate of a legitimate punk. She doesn't take herself too seriously, even in the most serious of moments. 

In the end, Debbie Harry did it, she faced it. The good. The bad. The ugly. No facade, just Debbie, her story in her words. Sure she might have left some stuff out but don't we all? I found a new appreciation for Debbie Harry and Blondie after reading Face It. This woman is a force to behold. An imense source of inspiration to be your authentic self. Even if you don't necessarily know who you are yet, what you want, what you want to do with your life or where you fit in. Face the music authentically and wholeheartly, no matter how hard, messy and scary it is. It will be all of that and probably more but you'll come out on the other side to find that you became, you are, exactly who you were meant to be. 

A page of Face It, A Memoir by Debbie Harry
photo by Nikki DeMartini 

Face It is available as a hardback, paperback, Kindle eBook and an audiobook. Debbie Harry herself narrates the audiobook which is so cool! My Dad told me today that he started listening to Face It on audio after I gushed about the book. Now that I know she narrates it, I might have to give it a listen. Audiobooks read by the author are the best in my opinion and this author is Debbie Harry! It doesn't get much better, or cooler, than that. 

I was lucky enough to be able to catch some of Blondie's set at Coachella Music Festival a couple of years ago. After the passing of their drummer Clem Burke this year on April 6th, Debbie has stated that she can't see herself on-stage as Blondie without him (or Chris). That doesn't mean no more pieces of work from this artist. Until then, we will always have Blondie to listen to and Face It to read when we want to get up close and personal with Debbie Harry.