This morning the Rolling Stones finally released dates for their "50 and Counting" North American tour.
The U.S. dates, as reported by Billboard.biz, will begin early next month on the West Coast, with announced markets including a stop at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, (date TBD, depending on NHL playoffs); May 5 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.; May 8 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose; May 11 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas; May 15 at the Honda Center in Anaheim; May 25 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto; May 28 at the United Center in Chicago; June 12 at the TD North Garden in Boston; and June 18 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. CitiCard members will have access to presale tickets beginning Friday through Citi’s Private Pass program, with details at citiprivatepass.com. The first markets will go on sale to the general public starting April 8.
As Billboard.biz first reported last month, AEG Live will promote the North American shows. A source confirmed to Billboard that AEG Live has 18 shows to work with; only 9 shows have been announced thus far, so multiples are a given. Essentially, the Stones are treating these shows as “destination” events, which -- given the international appeal of the five 50th anniversary shows last December in London and the New York area -- is an approach they can undertake with confidence.