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Mick Jagger on leaving politics out of gigs: “Your job is to make them go more apeshit – you don’t want to lecture them”
Mick Jagger has said he deliberately keeps politics out of The Rolling Stones' live shows, viewing his role as entertaining fans rather than lecturing them. Speaking on the New York Times podcast The Interview, he explained that after six decades of touring he tailors each performance to its setting and audience, but the constant across all shows is giving people a two-hour escape from real-life worries such as mortgages and world events, likening the experience to watching a sporting event.
Jagger noted that festival crowds differ from dedicated fans on headline tours and need to be approached differently, but insisted his job is always to help the audience "go more apeshit" rather than push a message. He acknowledged that political and social commentary does creep into the band's songwriting, including on new album 'Foreign Tongues', where he says he often slips a political verse into otherwise personal songs as a "trick" to share his views. He also addressed speculation that the track 'Mr Charm' targets Elon Musk, saying listeners fixate on the name rather than the lyric's actual meaning.
In short
- Jagger avoids politics at Rolling Stones gigs, prioritising fan enjoyment
- Says his job is entertainment, not lecturing audiences
- Political themes still appear subtly in new album 'Foreign Tongues'
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Artists with large audiences occupy a uniquely powerful platform for advocating social change at live shows. Treating audiences as consumers seeking mere distraction may patronise their capacity for engagement, and those most affected by injustice cannot afford to opt out of politics for an evening. Entertainment itself carries political weight, and silence on important issues is also a choice.
The case against
Live performances are paid entertainment experiences where audiences seek respite from daily stresses. Artists can express political views through songwriting, interviews, and other forums without commandeering the escape fans have purchased. Respecting audience expectations and providing two hours of genuine connection through music is no less worthy than political advocacy.
Explained simply
Mick Jagger is the lead singer of The Rolling Stones, a rock band that has been touring the world for more than sixty years. The band continues to perform to large audiences globally, so Jagger's approach to staging their concerts matters to millions of fans.
Jagger has said that he deliberately keeps political messaging out of The Rolling Stones' live performances. He views his job as entertaining audiences and giving them a break from everyday worries such as mortgages and world events, rather than using the stage to lecture them.
Although he avoids politics in live shows, Jagger acknowledged that political themes do appear in The Rolling Stones' recorded songs. He describes this as a deliberate "trick" he uses when writing to slip political views into songs that are otherwise personal in nature.