In the world of music, bands come and bands go. It’s a precious few that survive to be heralded as icons. It’s unlikely that anyone would have wagered on the chances of a group of young lads in 1962 London, England joining that most rare of clubs. And yet here we are over 45 year’s later—still celebrating not only their music but the band themselves: The Rolling Stones.

Shine A Light is the new concert film from Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese. Shot in New York’s Beacon Theater during the 2006 A Bigger Bang tour—the highest-grossing tour by any band in history—the film mixes footage from two performances with a splash of archival material to produce a story that contrasts the band’s early days with their modern status as rock superstars.

The film is releasing in both IMAX and normal theaters. Although I’m sure the film will be impressive on standard screens, fans will want to seek out the closest IMAX theater to enjoy the experience to its fullest. The soundtrack alone will be spectacular in a theater setting. I was fortunate enough to see the screening of Shine A Light in IMAX and let me just say unequivocally: I am sold on the technology for concert films.

It’s clearly not the same as attending a live concert, and I wouldn’t expect the experience to replace concerts for fans of live music. On the other hand, IMAX does provide nuances that create a different experience that I found just as enjoyable.

With such a large, clear screen I noticed lots of little things that I never would have picked up on at a concert. Gestures and expressions between the band members, details on instruments and costumes… and the cameras really put you right on stage. The result is a much more visually engaging medium.

As good as the visuals were, the sound was if anything even better. With IMAX’s six channels of digital audio, at times you really feel like you’re really in the audience. Several times I caught myself looking around to see if other theater goers were applauding because I really couldn’t tell.

One thing the film does in the audio track is to emphasize the musicians that you are watching in close-ups. So when the camera moves in on guitarist Keith Richards, the audio from his guitar is slightly louder than in the “normal” mix. I liked it but concede that others might find it distracting.

Besides The Rolling Stones, several guest artists appear as well. At separate times during the performance the band is joined on stage by Jack White from The White Stripes, blues guitarist Buddy Guy and pop singer Christina Aguilera. Former President Bill Clinton also makes a brief appearance prior to the concert.

I confess I went into Shine A Light feeling pretty neutral toward The Rolling Stones. It’s not that I don’t like their music; it’s just not the music I grew up with or tend to listen to. Having experienced the film, though, I can appreciate the attraction for their fans.

Even at their current ages—guitarist Ronnie Wood is the “baby” at age 60—the performances seemed solid and high-energy. Mick Jagger’s on stage antics seem not to have slowed a bit. Quiet-spoken drummer Charlie Watts still seems honestly surprised at all the fuss. And all of them still seem to genuinely enjoy what they are doing.

As a film, Shine A Light may have a few rough spots, but as a concert experience for fans of The Rolling Stones, it would seem to me to be an event not to be missed. I sincerely hope that other bands choose to leverage the IMAX technology for future concert films.

Shine A Light is rated PG-13 for “brief strong language, drug references and smoking.” The rating really shouldn’t shock anyone; these are, after all, The Rolling Stones we’re talking about.

Courtesy of a local publicist, Michael attended a promotional screening of Shine A Light.