October 25th 2012, the Rolling Stones pitched up at a club in the north of Paris for an impromptu secret gig and rocked the house to its foundations.

600 lucky fans packed into the tiny La Trabendo rock club to witness Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood launch through a quick-fire barrage of hits, as well as one or two surprises.

After rehearsing in Paris and recording two new belters, 'Doom and Gloom' and 'One More Shot', as soon as the band hit the stage it was obvious they were out to have a good time and to celebrate five decades of treading the boards.

Right from the start, The Stones went back to their Marquee Club roots and launched into 'Route 66'. Mick bantered with the crowd in French whilst Keith Richards cranked out his bluesy licks on 'It's Only Rock and Roll'. Then the twin guitars of Ronnie Wood and Keith trading on the Muddy Waters classic 'Champagne and Reefer'. Charlie Watts, as always, occupied the drum riser with quietly amused dignity whilst emphasising his rock 'n' roll credentials throughout the set. Charlie WAS good tonight.

With long term keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bass player Darryl Jones also in tow, the Rolling Stones tore through a set which included 'Miss You', 'Tumbling Dice', Start Me Up', 'Midnight Rambler' and 'Jumping Jack Flash' and the live debut of new single 'Doom and Gloom'.

Mick Jagger was all frenetic energy, strutting around the stage and working the crowd, whilst his Glimmer Twin Keith Richards proved he is a master guitar player, effortlessly throwing shapes, laughing and joking with the band, foot stomping as always, as he turned out classic riffs. Hissidekick Ronnie shone throughout but especially through the funk of 'Miss You'.

This was the Rolling Stones stripped bare, a fast rattle through the Stones' catalogue, drawing upon five decades worth of material, all sounding as fresh as ever.

The crowd -- who only paid 15 Euros for their tickets- went wild as the Stones came back on stage for an encore of 'Jumping Jack Flash' and 'Brown Sugar'...a hot and sweaty night, the Stones back where they belong.

They came to Paris, they played, they conquered...and after an hour' set, they were gone.

Whilst thousands will witness the band on their four arena shows in London and New York later this year, few will get to experience the Stones deliver in such an intimate, sweaty environment -- it was a night to remember. less