Rolling Stones touch down in Cuba for historic concert
The band are set to play their first gig in the country, where their music had previously been banned from TV and radio stations
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Your support makes all the difference.The Rolling Stones have made their landing in Havana, Cuba; ahead of their historic free concert in the country on the night of 25 March.
Their music will now fill the air where once it was silenced; once banned from Cuba's strictly-censored radio and television stations, as the revolution of the '60s and '80s labelled the genre as the enemy's music. Still, their work filtered through the nation, as rock fans risked police harassment and marginalisation as "counter-revolutionaries".
The band's arrival coincides with President Barack Obama's touch down in Cuba earlier this week, making him the first US president to visit the country in 88 years. Thus, the Stones' arrival isn't significant merely as the first concert the band's played in the country; but as a larger political move which sees Cuba's final burying of the international strife of the Cold War.
In fact, the Stones moved to delay their show by five days after the President scheduled his historic visit, teasing that Obama had now essentially become the 'opening act' for their concert.
"It's a pleasure to be here," Sir Mick Jagger greeted awaiting journalists in Spanish (via The Telegraph); joking that what he most look forward to during his stay were the, "cigars and salsa".
The Stones arrived by private plane, flying into José Martí airport with the band aboard; alongside about 60 technicians for the concert and accompanying family members. It's certainly a grand affair, with preparations starting in October and seeing 62 shipping containers arriving in the country from Mexico.
"We have performed in many special places during our long career, but this show in Havana will be a milestone for us, and, we hope, for all our friends in Cuba, too," the band previously said in a statement.
Their Cuba show follows stops in Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, and Mexico.
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