Fans of the legendary rock band The Rolling Stones believe the band could announce a “farewell tour” next year.
While the Mick Jagger-fronted group has not shared plans for touring next year, it has been rumoured that the band scrapped plans to tour in 2025. Guitarist Ronnie Wood has since confirmed a new album is on the way, three years after Hackney Diamonds. It will be the second album from the band without drummer Charlie Watts, who died in 2021. Fans now believe the band could be ready to bow out on a farewell tour, while some believe the band will keep on going until the wheels fall off. Dedicated listeners took to the r/RollingStones subreddit and asked what they think is in store for the last few years of the band. A fan asked: “Do you think that The Rolling Stones will one day announce a farewell tour or final performance, or will they just go until they can’t go anymore?
“My guess is that they’ll never actually announce a retirement or a final show. They’ll keep going until going on is problematic. Of course, health issues will happen, maybe the ability to do what they do will be impacted by age or infirmity. But it’s just not them to announce a farewell tour. Or could I be wrong?”
Fans seem split on whether the band will announce an official farewell tour, citing Jagger’s desire to never look back. Others believe the band will simply carry on until they “go out like Charlie.”
Most are adamant however that The Rolling Stones continue touring and never mention whether it will be the last or not. One fan wrote: “They gonna go out like Charlie. It’ll just happen someday without any preceding pomp.” Another added: “No. Mick is always looking forward and rarely looks back. It’s just not in him to call anything final.”
A third added: “I think Mick is obsessed with his image – being seen as current and relevant. Part of that image is what he can do on stage. My guess is he’ll do it until he drops dead as long as he can do it as the Mick we all know, not as a guy that can’t run and sing.”
Others believe Keith Richards is a vital part of why the band will carry on, with the veteran guitarist suggesting he would tour until he drops as his heroes did before him. A fan recalled: “There is zero chance that Keith will ever do a farewell tour, so therefore no. He said that to Howard Stern in that amazing interview he gave a year ago. He will play until he’s dead, just like all his idols did before him.
“I believe Mick probably shares that sentiment. But it is harder for him than Keith to still do the Mick persona because at some point in the near future, one would think he will mostly stand on stage at not run around the whole time. Although that said, so far time seems to be literally on his side. I saw him last US tour and it’s hard to believe he’s in his 80s.
“Just an incredible band. I never thought I’d be so lucky to see them all the times I have. And their last show was the best I had seen from them since Charlie was still alive. They were so great. And I think they’ll play til they’re dead.”
Wood confirmed a new album is “done” and would be out next year. He told The Sun: “Yes you will be getting a new album next year. It is done.”
