The Rolling Stones Unearth ‘Monkey Man’ In Chicago

The Rolling Stones switched it up for their second of two tour-opening concerts at Soldier Field in Chicago on Tuesday night. The band performed seven songs they didn’t play at Friday’s tour opener, including the first “Monkey Man” in 12 years.

Last night, the band went with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” to kick off the show unlike the “Street Fighting Man” they used to open on Friday. Next up was the tour debuts of “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)” and “Bitch” split by “Tumbling Dice.” Two more tour debuts followed in the Stones’ cover of Jimmy Reed’s “Ride ‘Em On Down” and the aforementioned “Monkey Man.” Originally recorded for 1969’s Let It Bleed, “Monkey Man” had been on the shelf since August 8, 2007. The song won out in fan voting over “Heartbreaker,” “Just My Imagination” and “Harlem Shuffle.”

The first portion of the concert ended with “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The core members of the band then headed to the smaller “B-Stage” for acoustic renditions of “Play With Fire” and “Sweet Virginia,” both of which didn’t make the setlist on Friday. After “Sympathy For The Devil” and “Honky Tonk Woman,” guitarist Keith Richards had his turn in the spotlight for the run’s first “Slipping Away” and his beloved “Before They Make Me Run.” Last night’s concert ended with one hit and live staple after another including “Miss You,” “Paint It Black,” “Start Me Up” and the “Gimme Shelter”/”(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” encore. The band started “Midnight Rambler” in the wrong key and aborted the first take for “Paint It Black” before performing it again without any issue.

Watch fan-shot video of “Monkey Man” captured by Benoit BP below:

Setlist