85,000 gather in N.B. for huge Stones show

CTV.ca News Staff
 
Updated: Sun. Sep. 4 2005 2:02 AM ET

About 85,000 people rocked out Saturday to the legendary Rolling Stones -- the biggest musical event Atlantic Canada has ever seen.

The gathering on the 40-hectare (99-acre) field was billed as the biggest on the Stones' just-started world tour.

Magnetic Hill is the concert's site, where the layout of the surrounding land produces the optical illusion that a very slight downhill slope is in fact an uphill slope.

The gates opened at noon, and some had been waiting for that to happen since 6:30 a.m.

"This is going to rock!" hooted one fan as he went in.

The day-long event also features performances by several other bands, including Canada's Tragically Hip and Our Lady Peace, Maroon 5 and Les Trois Accord.

Concert promoter Donald K. Donald said tickets for the concert were sold in all four Atlantic provinces, in Quebec and in three American states.

"(Moncton) is a centralized place where we can reach the widest audience," he told The Canadian Press.

Security was tight, with people allowed to bring only blankets, cushions and a single litre of water.

Also, Transport Canada enforced a no-fly zone above and around the concert area.

The Stones' Big Bang Tour supports the band's forthcoming CD, A Bigger Bang, which hits record stores on Tuesday.

Late last month, the Stones played a concert in Ottawa for the first time in 40 years. They drew a crowd of 43,000 to Frank Clair Stadium.

The band will also stop in Calgary and Toronto on its 18-month world tour.