With more than 50 years worth of sold-out gigs, world tours, groundbreaking albums and spontaneous appearances under their belt, the Rolling Stones have a fairly expansive archive of printed ephemera to their name – and of this, the band's sprawling collection of gig posters might be the most fascinating of all. Beginning with their formation in 1964, it marks the passing of each decade since with the visual stylings of the day; spanning early 1970s psychedelia through to the jeering gold-plated recklessness of the late 90s, with the occasional satirical nod to the propaganda of a far-off country and, even more occasionally, a straight-up, beautifully crafted ode to another's tradition (Japan's in 1990 being a good example). Even now, each one oozes sexuality and charisma, with a timeless and soulful appeal that, though dozens have tried to do it, can't be replicated.
This spring and summer, the Saatchi Gallery ensures that the band's ever-evolving lexicon remains firmly in the minds of those who visit. Its new show, Exhibitionism: The Rolling Stones runs from April 5 until September 4, sprawling across the two floors and nine galleries in the west London institution with an unfolding array of artefacts, archive material and backstage paraphernalia, promising a gloriously comprehensive submersion in the Stones' history – posters and all. Rest assured that the image of those voluptuous red lips and glossy tongue ever hanging between them, which has been synonymous with band since its first appearance on the sleeve of 1971 album Sticky Fingers, aren't about to slip into insignificance anytime soon.
Exhibitionism: The Rolling Stones runs from April 5 until September 4, 2016, at the Saatchi Gallery, London.
