Moonlight milestone

A NEW FILM CAPTURES THE ROLLING STONES IN CUBA THIS YEAR — ASTONISHINGLY, FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME

It’s only rock’n’roll: The Rolling Stones’ massive Cuban show, in March 2016, is documented in Havana Moon

Good Friday 2016 marked the end of a momentous week in Cuba’s recent history. First, President Barack Obama brought a message of friendship from once arch-enemy the USA; then The Rolling Stones invaded. The historic — and enormous — gig they played is captured in Paul Dugdale’s new film, Havana Moon, released on DVD this week.

Even though all rock music was banned under the Communist lock-down, the band determinedly pursued the challenge of a concert somewhere they’d never toured before; for The Stones, after 50 years on the road, a rarity in itself. As the film reveals, the island had no decent PA, staging, lighting, video or power equipment, so the band shipped it all in using 85 containers and hired local workers to assemble it. Then on 25 March, they played for free to an exuberant, almost disbelieving, audience. Extreme estimates claim 700,000 were inside the showgrounds with 500,000 listening outside, an overwhelming social and cultural event for the tiny, isolated nation.

The Stones played for free to 700,000 inside the stadium, 500,000 outside

In Havana Moon, the band perform their trusty hits — you know the ones — but what sets this film apart from other Stones concert mementos is the more intimate, revealing camera work which sweeps the viewer from behind the scenes to the stage itself and out across, and down into, the endless, rippling crowd. The sun may inevitably be setting on the Stones’ unrivalled career, but given the right stimulus they can still howl at the moon when the vibe strikes. Which also likely helps explain Blue & Lonesome, their new album of blues favourites taped in a three-day jam in order “to loosen up and get the juices going”. Just like the old days.

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Havana Moon is out on DVD on 11 November;

Blue & Lonesome (Polydor) is out on 2 December