The Rolling Stones to return “when they’re good and ready”, representative confirms
After the band cancelled plans for an upcoming European tour, a representative for The Rolling Stones has provided an update on their future.
After it was reported that the band had nixed plans for a 2026 tour, the band’s representative, Bernard Doherty, set to put the record straight. He shared to USA Today, “The Stones had promoters presenting loads of ideas and dates to them for next summer in Europe.”
However, he insisted, “Nothing was confirmed, but when they properly sat down to discuss the tour, Keith [Richards] said he didn’t think he could commit and wasn’t keen on a big stadium tour for over four months at this time.”
Though Doherty admitted that the decision is “hard for their fans,” he added assuredly, “The Stones will get back onstage when they’re good and ready.”
Their last tour took place in 2024, which included an ambitious 16-stop stadium run to promote their 2023 album, Hackney Diamonds.
Despite this, the band’s longstanding pianist, Chuck Leavell, recently hinted that The Stones were planning a European tour. Confidently, he shared, “They don’t want to hang up the rock ’n’ roll shoes yet. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Additionally, Richards’ son, Marlon Richards, told Record Collector earlier this year, “I think they’re planning a tour of Europe”.
Richards’ arthritis is a possible factor in why the band may not be up to touring as extensively in 2026. In 2023, he opened up about the impact of arthritis on his guitar playing, explaining: “Funnily enough, I’ve no doubt it has, but I don’t have any pain: it’s a sort of benign version. I think if I’ve slowed down a little bit, it’s probably due more to age.”
The band stayed off the road this year to work on a new album, a follow-up to Hackney Diamonds. Andrew Watt, who produced their last full-length, hinted at this when he told Rolling Stone, “When the tongue is up in the air, you just go… I can say we did some recording together, but that’s all I can say.”
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