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The Rolling Stones could return for a new European tour in 2026 – that’s what their pianist Chuck Leavell suggested.
The band last toured North America in 2024. However, a subsequent planned series of concerts in Europe was scrapped because, according to media reports, the search for suitable venues, suitable travel options and existing commitments proved to be complicated.
There had previously been rumors that the Stones could head to cities such as Paris, Barcelona and Rome and also play four big shows at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
These speculations don’t seem to let the band go. Pianist Chuck Leavell explained in the “Bizarre” column of the newspaper “The Sun” that the Stones could soon come to Europe for several concerts. According to the paper, who was present at the presentation of the reissue of the 1976 album “Black And Blue”, Leavell said: “They don’t want to hang up their rock ‘n’ roll shoes yet. I have no doubt about that.”
Leavell added, according to NME: “We’ve done a lot in the US in the last few years, so I think it’ll probably be somewhere else, and my instinct is: probably Europe.” Keith Richards’ son Marlon had already suggested in September that Europe could be the Stones’ next tour destination.
The Rolling Stones’ new album is coming – but when?
Leavell also reiterated previous statements from guitarist Ronnie Wood, confirming that a new album from the band is “finished” and scheduled for release in 2026. “They were recording,” Leavell is quoted as saying. “I’m sure there’s new music already and I’m sure it’s great. I’m also very sure the band wants to perform.”
Producer Andrew Watt had also already stated that the Rolling Stones’ new record was with him. Watt produced her 24th studio album “Hackney Diamonds” in 2023, as “NME” reported. At the time, he described working with the band as “like working for Batman.”
“Hackney Diamonds” was released in October 2023 and marked the Stones’ first album with their own song material since 2005. The first recording sessions took place in 2020. Drummer Charlie Watts, who died in August 2021, can be heard on the songs “Live by the Sword” and “Mess It Up”; These recordings are from 2019. “Hackney Diamonds” immediately reached number one in the German album charts and the top of the German vinyl charts. In 2025 it was named “Best Rock Album” at the Grammys.