Rolling Stones land in Israel for gig

The Rolling Stones touched down in Israel Monday night aboard their private plane, festooned with the band’s name and logo. The visit marks the band’s first in Israel, ahead of a much-anticipated concert for 50,000 fans Wednesday night at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park.

The band arrived with a 70-person entourage, at least 100 more technical and other staff, and some 1,000 tourists who flew in Monday to attend the Wednesday concert. The arrivals were dubbed the Rolling Stones “airlift” by Israeli television news anchors.

Many members of the entourage, including family members, are accompanying the group for the entirety of their European tour.

Preparations for the large-scale performance began Sunday, ahead of what is expected to be one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated shows in Tel Aviv history. The stage will be decked with LED panels brought to Israel by the band, and a 34-meter (111-foot) catwalk will extend from the stage.

The Rolling Stones in Oslo, their first concert since the tragic suicide of Mick Jagger’s girlfriend, L’Wren Scott (Courtesy The Rolling Stones Facebook page)

Tickets are still available for the concert, at NIS 700 apiece. At least 46,000 tickets have been sold so far. Doors are set to open on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. for the 9:15 p.m. show.

Jessica Steinberg contributed to this report.