Jagger is an out-of-control wind-up toy debuting in the US

While many of his peers, apprentices and probably fans are dead or dying, Jagger keeps moving like, erm, Jagger. The Generation X/Millennial audience at NRG Stadium, many considered less athletic than him, got a workout just watching the Stones leader exercise on stage.

As for his bandmates, guitarist Keith Richards, also 80, sometimes seemed a little shaky and insecure. He should be encouraged as the tour progresses. His guitar colleague, Ronnie Wood, 76, almost matched Jagger’s charisma while helping to ensure the songs stayed on track.

The Rolling Stones are promoting their new album, “Hackney Diamonds”, and have released three singles, the pop “Angry”, the disco “Mess It Up” and the gospel track “Sweet Sounds of Heaven”. The latter, reserved for a privileged place in the encore, will certainly be highlighted, even with the slightly exaggerated version. It was performed as a duet with new backing vocalist Chanel Haynes. On the album, this part falls to Lady Gaga.

There were few surprises for fans who listened to rehearsals over the past few days in Los Angeles. Perhaps the only shock was that Richards’ lead vocals were cut from two songs to one (“Little T&A”). And heated internet speculation that the homicidal blues number “Midnight Rambler” would be abandoned after decades of raucous service was confirmed. But there were still plenty of crowd favorites, like “Start Me Up,” “Miss You” and “Honky Tonk Women.”

Dressed in a shimmering silver fitted shirt and jacket, Jagger had at his disposal not only a huge stage framed by gigantic video screens, but also a catwalk that extended into the middle of the audience. This allowed him to make close eye contact with fans, including a tattooed Argentinian woman showing off her Stones-themed bra while sitting on a man’s shoulder. (It seemed like there were enough Argentines waving flags and chanting for the retaking of the Falklands.)

Occasional problems occurred, such as missed cues and sloppy guitar work, which Jagger attributed to opening night drama. “You can’t expect everything to run like clockwork,” he said cheerfully.