The Rolling Stones got their world tour back on track Sunday in the English capital where they formed four decades ago, with Mick Jagger showing no obvious signs of the laryngitis that forced the band to cancel two gigs last week in Spain.
Opening the concert at Twickenham stadium with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” the 63-year-old singer led his bandmates through a two-hour set that focused on their hits and included a few new tunes.
He also made a jibe at construction delays that have dogged Wembley Stadium, where the concert was originally to have been held, telling an estimated crowd of 50,000 that it may be ready in time for young rockers the Arctic Monkeys’ farewell tour.
The return to the stage will be a relief for the quartet.
The European leg of the tour was delayed for more than a month after guitarist Keith Richards underwent surgery in New Zealand for head injuries sustained falling out of a tree while on vacation in Fiji.
The marathon “A Bigger Bang” tour kicked off in Boston last August, since when the Stones have played to about 4.5 million fans. The band is scheduled to play another gig at Twickenham on Tuesday before moving on to Glasgow in Scotland. They return to North America next month for another round of shows.