Stones of the Coast

This week, our “Hero of the Week” is Stones of the Coast — a tribute band born in Torrevieja that doesn’t just play The Rolling Stones’ songs but channels their soul, swagger, and passion. Speaking on behalf of the whole band is their charismatic frontman Vit Jagger, whose energy and stage presence embody the true spirit of rock and roll. Vit tells us how it all began, what it means to keep the Stones’ spirit alive, how he balances everyday life with the stage, and why authenticity remains their guiding principle.

Do you remember the exact moment when someone said: “Let’s start a Rolling Stones tribute band”? Was it at a bar, during a rehearsal, or after an inspired night out?

It all started when I went to see a concert of an old Rolling Stones tribute band at Chester, and during the break, I approached Rubén, the guitarist, to tell him that I could perform as Mick Jagger and that I was convinced we could create a high-quality Stones tribute together. It took me a while to convince him, but we finally did it — and here we are.

Why did you choose The Rolling Stones and not another band? Was it because of the music, the attitude, or simply because Jagger steals the spotlight even from afar?

At first, we even thought about doing an Oasis tribute, but in the end, it was more practical since Rubén already knew all the Stones songs on guitar — he’d spent 15 years in related tribute bands — and my voice fit Mick Jagger’s range better. So we decided to create the tribute that felt most immediate and had the best chance of working.

Where does the name Stones of the Coast come from? Does it have a secret or romantic story behind it, or did it just sound cool?

Rubén, our guitarist, came up with it. It’s catchy and connected to our area — Torrevieja and the surrounding coast. It’s also aimed at an important part of our audience: the foreign visitors who come for the sun and the beach.

What was your first gig together like? Total chaos, nervous laughter, or the moment you knew “this might actually work”?

Our first mini-gig was at El Paso, in Torrevieja, during their Friday jam session. They let us play four songs from our setlist, and it was an absolute success. Nobody expected such a reaction from the crowd. Ando, the owner of El Paso, gave us a date for a full show that very same day.

What do you obsess over most when it comes to nailing the sound: vocals, gritty guitar tone, drum groove, or that uncopyable swing?

When it comes to sound, we trust each band member’s own judgment. Everyone takes care of their own tone, and we give each other total freedom to express our individual sound. Together, the result is very rock and roll and quite close to the Stones, but we never try to copy anything. We are ourselves.

Are you overly faithful to the original sound, or do you like to add your own wrinkles to the songs? Give us an example.

We play the songs the way we feel them; we don’t copy the originals. Still, since we’re all rockers with experience, the band’s overall sound ends up being very old-school blues/rock, keeping the essence of the original Stones. Many hardcore fans of the band come to see us and say we’re very faithful and represent the Stones’ live energy really well. Since they’re the kings of the stage — alongside AC/DC — we think it’s quite an achievement to please their most devoted fans.

Which Stones song makes you smile automatically, and which one makes you sweat at every rehearsal?

We love playing Jumping Jack Flash and It’s Only Rock and Roll — they let us flow and are really fun to perform. On the other hand, Beast of Burden is the song that’s the hardest to make sound right. Even so, we always play it live and give it our all.

If you could rewrite a guitar solo in any Stones song, which one would you put your signature on, and why?

That’s a question for Rubén — he plays amazing, groovy, rock-filled solos. He’s the best guitarist you could have in a Stones tribute band because his style is very similar to Keith Richards’. For example, in Angie, he plays a solo that’s 100% his own and absolutely brilliant — together with Paco Flores, our bassist, who switches to a Spanish guitar, turning the song into a kind of flamenco fusion. Angie is one of the highlights of our live show — really original.

Have you ever tried doing a song with a surprising twist — say, turning it punk, funk, or flamenco? How did the crowd react?

Absolutely — as I mentioned before. Rubén is the king of ideas in the band, and he came up with doing Angie in a flamenco version, with Paco Flores swapping the bass for a Spanish guitar. People go wild when they hear it.

What does each of you do when you’re not on stage? Tell us about your jobs, studies, or secret lives.

That’s an interesting question. For example, Bobby, our drummer, runs a locksmith business in Torrevieja and is a dad. Rubén is a lifeguard coordinator in Torrevieja and also a father. Paco works with Bobby, and I’m a financial advisor at a bank. Doesn’t really fit the rock image, but that’s how it is.

How do you balance work, family, and the band? Any rehearsals ever interrupted by calls or kids?

We made a big effort rehearsing to prepare our show, but now we mostly rehearse on stage. We’re not the kind of band that practices too much unless there’s something specific to work on. We try to schedule rehearsals based mainly on the availability of those with families and jobs, since they obviously have tighter schedules.

Is there anyone in the band who’s always late or who brings too many playlists? Tell us about the band dynamics.

No, we’re all quite punctual and serious. We don’t have any problems in that regard.

Do you have formal musical training, or are you purely self-taught? Do you think that influences how you play?

We’ve all had different stages in our musical training, alternating between taking lessons and learning on our own. But overall, without a doubt, we’re more from the street-school of music. We’ve learned by playing in bands and watching YouTube videos on our own.

If the band disappeared tomorrow, what would you do? Go back to the “real world”, or start another musical adventure?

Without a doubt, we’d start another project. We can’t live without music. It’s our passion and what keeps us excited every day. But we do hope the band lasts for many years.

Tell us about the craziest or most emotional moment during a concert — one that left you speechless or laughing for days.

Our second concert was at El Paso. It coincided with Bobby’s birthday — our drummer. A lot of friends came, and it ended up being one of the most crowded nights at El Paso in years. It was truly amazing to see the pub so full and the audience so into it. Giulia, the owner with Ando, told us it was a legendary concert (and many have been played there). That day, we felt glimpses of what it must be like to be a real rock star. And it was only our second show. Incredible.

What do you feel the moment the first cheers start? A rush, a beautiful fear, or the confirmation that all the work was worth it?

An incredible adrenaline rush. Anyone who hasn’t been on stage will never know what that feels like. That’s why bands last so long — just like The Rolling Stones themselves, who are over 80 and still performing. It’s addictive.

Is there a venue or audience in Spain where you felt a real connection? Why?

Definitely at El Paso. Also at Buswacka we’ve had amazing experiences with very engaged crowds.

Has anyone ever asked you to play a ridiculous or impossible song? Did you play it anyway?

Once, a huge Rolling Stones fan asked us to please play Ruby Tuesday. Unfortunately, we didn’t know it, so we couldn’t give him that joy.

Will you always be a tribute band, or are there plans for original material, collaborations, or even an album that blends your style with the Stones’ spirit?

We’re planning to start writing our own songs soon and gradually add them to our live set so people can also enjoy that side of the band.

What’s the wildest thing you’d like to do as a band — tour Europe in a van, play a sunrise beach gig, shoot a vintage-style video, or open for a major act?

Touring Europe would be awesome, but opening for The Rolling Stones themselves would be a dream — although an impossible one, since you can’t open for the very band you’re paying tribute to. But we’d settle for AC/DC, for example! (laughs)

At FOTKAI we try to capture real moments — both on stage and in the crowd. Do you think we managed to show the real you? And what would you advise or wish for the project in the future?

We love FOTKAI — you take amazing photos that capture the rock and roll essence of live shows. We’re thrilled to collaborate, and in the future, we definitely hope you’ll continue immortalizing the special moments that come our way.