Mick Jagger Emphasizes Entertainment Over Lectures, Aims for Audience's "Best Time" at Shows

Mick Jagger has offered insights into his perspective on his duties as an entertainer. In a conversation for the New York Times podcast, "The Interview," the 82-year-old frontman for The Rolling Stones shared his conviction that his purpose as a musician is to ensure concertgoers "have the best time they possibly can" during his performances.

Jagger's Approach to Live Performance

Jagger elaborated on his philosophy, stating, "I mean, the bottom line of my thing is really that my job in the live music world is just those people that come to have the best time they possibly can, and for two hours or whatever it is to forget all their problems and the problems of the world and their mortgages and their whatever."

He continued, emphasizing the escapist nature of a live show: "They can have just the best time. It's similar to going to a sports event, really, because everything else is shouted out. You're just watching who's going to win. You're not worrying about everything else."

The musician underscored that his primary concern is for fans to leave his concerts feeling uplifted, stressing that he has no desire to "lecture them" on any topic.

Balancing Entertainment with Commentary

While Jagger avoids delivering sermons at his shows, he does not shy away from expressing his views and offering social commentary within his song lyrics.

"I've also got into this habit of doing songs that are about personal relationships, and then I throw a verse about politics in there," he explained. "I think that's a trick that I've learned from other songwriters, or I've listened to others, because nobody wants to hear a whole song about politics or...social comment, of any kind."

Confrontation with Louisiana Governor

Despite his stated primary goal of entertaining, Jagger became involved in a minor public exchange with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry during a performance in New Orleans in May 2024.

While on stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Jagger directly addressed Governor Landry by name.

"We're a welcoming crowd, aren't we?" Jagger asked the audience. "I hope Mr. Landry is enjoying the show. He's real inclusive you know. He's trying to take us back to the Stone Age."

Soon after Jagger's remarks, the Republican governor responded on social media platform X, seemingly jesting back at the singer.

"You can’t always get what you want," Landry posted. "The only person who might remember the Stone Age is Mick Jagger. Love you buddy, you’re always welcome in Louisiana! #LoveMyCountryMusic."