Havana at Full Speed Preparing for the Stones
Photo Feature by Luis Enrique Gonzalez Muñoz
HAVANA TIMES — An international crew of workers from England, Germany, Belgium, Mexico, Peru and the host country are going full speed to ready the stage with its huge towers for the first ever Rolling Stones concert in Cuba, a country that previously forbade its citizens to listen to their music.
The event in Cuba is part of a year-long tour across the Americas. The free concert will take place in a large open field at Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva, (Sports City) grounds.
Formed in 1962, the Rolling Stones are considered the longest standing rock bank including its founding members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and drummer Charlie Watts.
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I doubt this will happen though I hope that every last Cuban that wants to get in to see this historic concert is allowed to enter before even one single tourist is allowed in. Though I can see bribery as being rampant at this ‘free’ concert. And unfortunately many Cubans will not be allowed into the venue let alone even close enough to hear the show. With the government VIP’s, various embassy employees and (paying) tourists all at the front of the line. I actually do not even like the Rolling Stones that much but I even though of flying down for this show though I have no doubt that it will be utter chaos. Then I started thinking… This show is for Cuba… And the Cuban people. I hope that I am wrong and that it does actually end up being for the Cuban people.
I’m guessing that the ‘seating’ will be standing room only. Of course the Castros always make sure that the first 10 rows of people are the VIPs, i.e. children and grandchildren of generals and communist party officials.
Aftermarket in Havana could be interesting. It is an historic concert and these are the only survivors of the sixties icons. I love business!
They’ve been building the stage for over a week now. It’s gigantic, about 80 metres long x 56 metres wide x 20 metres high.
No one seems to have any clue how many people will show up, but I think it will obviously beat every Cuban concert attendance record in existence.
Congrats to anyone making it to Havana for that week. With Obama visiting (that’s a disaster in itself, countless tourists being displaced from their Havana hotels to alternative accommodation in Varadero)… plus the Tampa Bay Rays playing the Cuban National Team… plus the Stones concert… wow… Havana will be a total shitshow…
See you there!
Free? I once paid $1500 for a pair of Stones tickets. Finally an advantage to to living under Castro tyranny.