Start ’em up! Rolling Stones kick off their US tour with vibrant two-hour show in Houston

The Rolling Stones showed no signs of slowing down as they kicked off their latest tour.

The band have been touring for more than 60 years, with frontman Sir Mick Jagger and lead guitarist Keith Richards now both 80, and guitarist Ronnie Wood 76.

But during a vibrant two-hour show in Houston, Texas, on Sunday night, the Stones played with the energy of band on tour for the first time. “It’s great to be back in the Lone Star State,” Jagger told the stadium.

“The energy level is up and it’s always up with them. The age doesn’t show,” Dale Skjerseth, the Stones’ production director, said before the concert.

They have hit the road again to support Hackney Diamonds, the band’s first record of original music since 2005.

Houston was the first stop on the 16-city tour across the US and Canada. In an interview before Christmas, Jagger said he hoped that they would bring their tour to Europe once the North American leg finished.

Mick Jagger, 80, was on fine form in Houston on Sunday night (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

During last night’s 18-song setlist, the Stones played several tracks off the new record as well as classics including Sympathy for the Devil, Gimmer Shelter, Honky Tonk Women and Start Me Up. They also played some unexpected choices, including 1966’s Out of Time, which Jagger said during the concert had never been played in the US.

Asked before the tour if he would ever consider retirement, Richards replied: “My answer is I’m not Nostradamus. Of course, it’s going to end some time, but there’s no particular rush. We’re having great fun doing this.”

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