The Rolling Stones – Foreign Tongues Drone Show

As with the HBO Max activation, our flat-top pontoon P2 was chosen as the drone launch platform. She was built up at the Royal Docks, with two containers placed on board to house the drone fleet. The drones themselves were once again supplied and orchestrated by SKYMAGIC, whose proprietary technology allows drone fleets to be launched safely from steel barges.

Once ready, P2 travelled upriver to Temple Pier, where she remained moored for the duration of the project.

The show itself unfolded over two nights. The first was dedicated to testing, allowing the full sequence to be run and refined under real river conditions ahead of the main event. The second night saw the full 500-drone display take flight, culminating in the creation of the band’s iconic tongue logo above the Thames.

Safety cover was provided throughout by Romeo Lima as the safety boat, with Eddie C deployed as guard boat alongside a second guard vessel provided by the Port of London Authority.

With the project arranged at short notice, Livett’s unrivalled experience in marine coordination – and in negotiating the permissions, licences and river closures required for an operation of this kind – was critical to the activation’s success.

The result was another spectacular addition to our growing portfolio of drone-based activations on the Thames, delivering a flawless display for one of the world’s most iconic bands at the launch of their 25th studio album.

Ed Livett, Managing Director of Livett’s, said: “Every drone project brings its own challenge, and this one came together fast. We had to move quickly to get the permissions, the platform and the safety cover all locked in for a show of this scale.

“This project illustrates just how much appetite there now is for this kind of activation on the river. It’s brilliant to have played our part in another iconic Rolling Stones moment in London.”