The Rolling Stones have canceled plans to tour UK and European stadiums in 2026, a source close to the band confirms to Variety, following reports that guitarist Keith Richards was unable to “commit to it”.
Although it was never officially announced, the band’s touring pianist Chuck Leavell and a spokesperson recently told the British press that the band was almost finished with a new album – their second with producer Andrew Watt, 35 – and planned to tour the UK and Europe. However, Richards, who turns 82 on Thursday, would not be able to commit to the rigors of another tour. Concerts in recent years have shown him having difficulty playing guitar due to a long battle with arthritis, which he described as “mild” and which he said forced him to change his playing style.
Richards was in fine form during a brief three-song performance at the Soho Sessions in New York last month, however, that’s a much different proposition than a multi-week, multi-country tour.
“When they sat down to discuss the tour, Keith said he didn’t think he could commit and wasn’t interested in a major stadium tour for more than four months,” an anonymous “American music critic” reportedly told British tabloid The Sun on Monday. An unnamed spokesperson added: “The band was planning to tour earlier this year but couldn’t do that either. It’s difficult for their fans but the Stones will return to the stage when they are good and ready.”
The Stones have toured almost every year since the early 2000s, in ever-smaller itineraries as the main three – Mick Jagger, 82, and Ron Wood, 78 – get older; original drummer Charlie Watts died in 2021 and was replaced by Richards’ longtime collaborator Steve Jordan. The band’s most recent tour was the “Hackney Diamonds” jaunt, named after their most recent album, which spanned 20 North American dates over three months.
However, a new album appears to be on the verge of release next year, as Watt – who has worked closely with Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran and Miley Cyrus as well as Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne and Pearl Jam – appeared to breathe new life into the group, helping them complete “Hackney Diamonds”, their first full album of new material in 15 years in 2023.
Jagger said Variety Last year, “I knew Andy and I could work together from the moment we met. He has such infectious enthusiasm and a great work ethic, plus he’s also a great musician. We clicked immediately and turned what I thought would be a difficult job into a fun, easy job.”
Richards added: “Andrew has an infectious vitality coupled with relentless enthusiasm, which is one of the great qualities of a producer. Plus, he was great fun to work with, another great quality!”
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