COLUMBUS -- It was 3 ¹/₂ hours before the gates opened at Nationwide Arena in Columbus and Darcy Sawmiller was spinning around, dancing and laughing as "Let's Spend the Night Together" blasted out of speakers from the bar next door.

Pete Kiehart, Columbus Dispatch Mick Jagger, at age 62, still radiates energy at live shows. Jagger and Keith Richards, right, play "Brown Sugar" during Saturday's concert at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Click photo for larger image. Rolling Stones With: Pearl Jam. Where: PNC Park, North Side. When: Doors open 5:30 p.m.; show starts at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets: $104; 1-877-848-4099; www.tickets.com More on the Rolling Stones Time is on their side: It was a smaller bang when Rolling Stones played here in '64 Rolling Stones show this week another in a rock constellation The Rolling Stones' Top 10 Best Albums So, you think you're a Stones expert? Take our quiz

Sounds like a typical start to any Rolling Stones concert except Sawmiller's 6-year-old daughter, Janey, was on her shoulders preparing to see her first rock concert. In fact, the entire family from Columbus was there to see the show -- Cody, 14, Aubrey and Zachary, both 16, and husband, Kirk. "We're in the cheap seats, if you can call $165 plus service charge cheap seats," he said with a laugh.

They were all decked out in Stones clothes, Darcy and Janey wearing artistic hand-painted tongues in an effort to win a local radio station's front-row seats. For the 16-year-olds, this will be their fourth time to see the band.

And I thought I was a Stones fanatic. I was 29 before I saw my fourth show, but now I've seen them 12 times, with shows that became treasured memories and others that left me empty.

On Saturday, four days before tomorrow's show at PNC Park, I saw one that did both.

The difference between watching a Stones concert as a reporter as opposed to a fan is colossal. One has an objective eye and spots mistakes; the other is an unabashed zealot who forgives even the tiniest slip-up.

The eighth-row seat on Ronnie Wood's side of the stage was the closest I've ever been, but I felt out of place. Everyone around me was drinking. The guy next to me was annoyingly wasted and a close-talker to boot.

When the lights went down at 9:45 the Stones were hidden behind a bizarre translucent mural depicting an audience of what could best be described as circus freaks. The video screen erupted in a cataclysmic depiction of the creation of the universe, following the theme of the tour and album, "A Bigger Bang." The screen lifted to reveal Keith Richards, his trademark blonde Telecaster in hand, launching into "Brown Sugar," missing badly on his second phrase.

No matter, Mick Jagger strutted to the foreground belting out the first lyrics of the evening only the way he can. He was dressed in a shiny jacket, black pants and green shirt. The crowd was thrilled.

It was apparent immediately that Mick Jagger still has it -- the body, the moves and a voice that's never sounded better.

During the first three songs, the band was essentially a six-piece act, with Jagger, Richards, Wood, drummer Charlie Watts, bassist Darryl Jones and Chuck Leavell on keyboards. The intro to "Tumbling Dice" brought the addition of the background singers and horns.

While most casual Stones fans tolerate the new songs, I couldn't wait to hear them. It's fresh for the band, and they work hard to sell the song. "Rough Justice," the first single from the album, kicked off with Richards' dirty guitar, and it felt like the band was warming up.

MJ Kim, Associated Press Paul Weller, left, and The Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood during a performance last year. Click photo for larger image.

"Back of My Hand" was next. Jagger took center stage, Danelectro guitar in hand playing slide all alone. Behind him, Wood and Richards sat on the drum riser. Soothing blue light enveloped the stage, revealing the deep creases in Richard's bare arms. The Stones were transformed into the old blues men they have emulated for more 40 years.

It's something of an irony that at 62 Jagger can run, prance and jump around the stage for two hours, yet his aging audience sits during most of the show, something unheard of during the glory years. Stones diehards received a special gift this evening. For the first time ever, Jagger and the guys played "Sway." The nugget from 1971's "Sticky Fingers" was played to perfection. Wood even did the Mick Taylor solo justice, finishing it with tasty slide licks.

"All Down the Line" exploded from the stage and we got to see the magic happen. The band has returned to its former glory, ripping through the songs.

Toward the end of the show, the Stones began their hit-laden but predictable crescendo. "Sympathy for the Devil," "It's Only Rock and Roll," "Start Me Up" and "Jumping Jack Flash" all had their moments but suffered with either bad starts, worse lead breaks or sloppy endings.

During the encore, "You Can't Always Get What You Want," the audience sang along, filling the arena with the chorus. But at one point, something went wrong -- Ronnie, Keith and Charlie stopped, looked at each other and picked up the tune again.

The audience seemed blissfully unaware of the glitch, and who could blame them? They were there to pay homage to rock gods.

On this night in Columbus, the guitar players were like a bloated Elvis. But Jagger was a magician, and the audience was better for the distraction. When the band takes the PNC Park stage tomorrow, I'll be a fan again, and I can't wait. I might notice the mistakes, but I won't be looking for them.