We got what we wanted out of these guys for a long, long time. And now, they need a rest. The Rolling Stones will no longer embark on a planned, though never formally announced, 2026 stadium tour throughout Europe, owing to Keith Richards’s unwillingness to subject himself to the stress of such a rigorous schedule. While reports of the cancellation first circulated in the U.K. at the start of the week, a band representative corroborated the rumors on December 18 to USA Today. “The Stones had promoters presenting loads of ideas and dates to them for next summer in Europe,” he said. “Nothing was confirmed 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 at this time.” The rep stressed that this won’t serve as the conclusion of the band’s touring career. “Though it’s hard for their fans,” he added, “the Stones will get back onstage when they’re good and ready.”
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Keef, who turned 82 today — fun timing! — seems to be in good health, so we can all exhale: He recently jammed out at a benefit concert in New York with Mavis Staples and, in June, walked the red carpet at the Tribeca Film Festival in a fantastic scarf. The Rolling Stones, meanwhile, have recorded an album full of new material, which they reportedly plan to release in 2026 and would be their first record since 2023’s Hackney Diamonds. So, if they’re looking to simplify their touring schedule as octogenarians, we know a certain shape that would roll out each and every red carpet to have them.
