I wrote earlier this year about several legendary rock bands calling time on playing live. They were all marking the end of an era with their final tours and gigs this year. It now looks likely that the Rolling Stones are taking a similar approach. But it’s by no means the end of the band.
The Stones are apparently packing away their gear and backing away from plans to tour the UK and Europe next year. It is slightly odd, as they haven't actually announced a 2026 tour yet, but there were plenty of signs that plans were being actively prepared.
Now, those signs say that the tour is off and won’t be going ahead.
As Variety reports, it seems as though Keith Richards had called time on the rigors of a huge tour. Based on the age alone, it’s a wonder that many bands are still going strong, the Stones being no exception. Richards is 82 this week and also known to suffer from arthritis, which has affected his playing style at times. He has spoken before about adjustments he has made to his guitar playing.
It’s not the end of the Rolling Stones
This doesn't mean it’s the end of the band by any means. There is, of course, a new album expected. We should see this in early 2026, following on from their highly successful Hackney Diamonds album in 2023. It seems the tracks are all in the bag, and no doubt some final preparations and adjustments are being made for another emphatic and significant launch.
But the news of the UK and Europe tour being scrapped suggests the follow-up promotion could be quite different. This doesn't mean we have seen the last of the band live on a stage. It’s only been a few days since they played a short three-song set in New York.
We can perhaps still expect the occasional pop-up appearance from time to time, especially when it comes to promoting that new album.
This feels to me like a very appropriate way to manage what is inevitable, the passing of time. Too many bands carry on way too long and can’t reach their own high standards.
The Stones showed they were still more than capable of rocking on with Hackney Diamonds and the live gigs that followed. Their new album will keep the momentum going, and the band can tailor some short appearances live for a while longer.