Rare Song Debuts by Rolling Stones in Atlanta!
The Rolling Stones surprised fans in Atlanta with the debut performances of „Sweet Virginia“ and „Happy.“
During their recent concert on Friday night, Mick Jagger and the band played these two songs live for the first time. Both tracks were originally released in 1972 on the album „Exile On Main St.,“ the band’s tenth studio album. „Sweet Virginia“ was selected by the band from a fan-curated shortlist, which also included „Rocks Off“ (also from 1972) and „Let It Bleed“ (1969). Typically, the band rarely performs „Sweet Virginia,“ playing it only once or twice a year since the turn of the millennium. An exception was in 2019 when they played the song ten times during their tour.
„Happy“ is one of the few Rolling Stones songs where guitarist Keith Richards takes on lead vocals. In the band’s extensive discography of over 450 songs, there are only around thirty tracks where Mick Jagger steps aside from the lead vocals. The live debut of „Happy“ on tour followed other Keith Richards songs like „Tell Me Straight“ (2023), which made its live debut on this tour, and „Little T&A“ (1981). While „Happy“ was more frequently performed in the past, with three performances in 2021 and seven the following year, it has become a more regular feature in their setlists compared to „Sweet Virginia.“
Fans in Europe will have to settle for video recordings of these rare debuts as the Rolling Stones are currently touring the United States with their latest album „Hackney Diamonds“ (2023). There have been no concert dates announced beyond the tour’s end in July. The band’s last performance in Europe was in the summer of 2023.