In a move that conjures up memories of Altamont, “Gimme Shelter” and 1969 for longtime Stones fans, the Rolling Stones have added a free concert to their current tour. The AP reports that the veteran rockers extended their Latin American tour with a stop March 25 in Cuba.
“The Stones will play in Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva three days after President Barack Obama visits Havana,” the AP reports. “The concert is expected to draw a massive audience in a country where the government once persecuted young people for listening to rock music.”
In a statement, the band said: “We have performed in many special places during our long career, but this show in Havana is going to be a landmark event for us, and, we hope, for all our friends in Cuba, too.” The event has been dubbed the Concert for Amity.
Rolling Stone magazine reports: “The group has been planning the visit for several months. It is promising a set list filled with ‘classic Stones hits’ and ‘special gems’ for the Cuban audience.”
The organization Fundashon Bon Intenshon, which supports education, athletics, health care and other causes, is putting the event together on behalf of the Caribbean island of Curacao. The Institute of Cuban Music is also backing the event.
“The concert will be filmed and produced by JA Digital, and Paul Dugdale will serve as director,” Rolling Stone reports. “The filmmaker previously helmed ‘The Rolling Stones: Sweet Summer Sun — Hyde Park Live in 2013,’ as well as concert films for Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Adele and One Direction, among others.”
The AP notes that the concert will make the Rolling Stones the biggest act to perform in Cuba since the revolution in 1959.
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