Rolling Stones AXE plan for UK & Europe tour next year because star ‘couldn’t commit’ to gruelling leg
THE Rolling Stones have called off plans for a UK and European tour next summer.
It would have been their first string of live dates since their huge Hackney Diamonds tour in the US in 2024 – which sold almost one million tickets.
It’s understood the band – who’ve sold over 250 million records worldwide – were looking at plans to play huge stadiums across Europe and the UK after pulling the plug on dates in 2025.
An American music critic said Keith Richards, who turns 82 on Thursday, told his bandmates Mick Jagger, 82, and Ronnie Wood, 78, he couldn’t commit to the trek at this time.
They added: “The Rolling Stones had all the big promoters throwing loads of ideas and dates at them for next summer.
“But when they properly sat down to discuss the tour, Keith said he didn’t think he could commit and wasn’t keen on a big stadium tour for over four months.”
A spokesperson said at the time: “The band were looking to tour earlier this year but couldn’t make it work either.
“It’s hard for their fans but The Stones will get back onstage when they’re good and ready.”
In September, Ronnie confirmed to The Sun that he was waiting on the nod on the 2026 tour dates.
He also confirmed they had been working on their next album, which was recorded at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, west London.
Ronnie said: “You will be getting new music from the Rolling Stones with an album next year. It is almost done. ”
Their last album, Hackney Diamonds, came out in 2023 and was their first record of original material in 18 years.
The album went straight to No1 in the album charts and spawned hits including Angry, which had Sydney Sweeney in the official music video.