Rolling Stones in Havana: Tens of Thousands of Cubans Attend Landmark Gig

Tens of thousands of Cubans have attended The Rolling Stones concert in Havana, where most foreign rock music was banned for several decades.

Many of those at the free concert were lifelong fans who for years had to keep quiet about their love of the Stones and other groups.

Mick Jagger welcomed fans in Spanish before opening the performance with the 1968 hit Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

The Stones’ concert comes days after a historic visit by President Barack Obama.

Tens of thousands of Cubans queued for hours to get into the grounds of Havana’s huge 450,000-capacity Ciudad Deportiva venue.

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The band swept through 18 songs in a two-hour gig, including Sympathy for the Devil and Satisfaction.

The gig is being seen as another sign of real change on the island. Until about 15 years ago Cuba’s communist government banned most Western rock and pop music, which was deemed decadent and subversive.

Fans traveled from many parts of Cuba and other countries to witness what some described as a historic moment.

The Rolling Stones released a short video saying their concert was a sign of change in Cuba.

“Time changes everything. So we’re very pleased to be here,” said Mick Jagger.

“It would have been surprising for this to happen 10 years ago.”

Cuban authorities said they expected at least half a million people to watch the Stones’ first concert in Cuba.

Set List

Jumpin’ Jack Flash

It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)

Tumbling Dice

Out of Control

All Down the Line

Angie

Paint It Black

Honky Tonk Women

You Got the Silver

Before They Make Me Run

Midnight Rambler

Miss You

Gimme Shelter

Start Me Up

Sympathy for the Devil

Brown Sugar

Encores: You Can’t Always Get What You Want. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction