Mick Jagger is already looking ahead to the Rolling Stones' next tour, even as the iconic rockers prepare to release their new album, Foreign Tongues, on July 10. In an appearance on BBC Radio 2's Tracks of My Years alongside Ronnie Wood, the 82-year-old frontman expressed his eagerness to hit the road again.
"I'd love to go on tour. Can't wait," Jagger said. "I don't think it's going to be this year, but hopefully as soon as possible."
Tour Plans and Past Reports
The announcement follows reports from last December that the Stones had canceled a planned run of shows for 2026 after guitarist Keith Richards, also 82, refused to commit to the dates. While details were never officially confirmed, the group's touring keyboardist Chuck Leavell had told U.K. press that the band had eyed a tour of the U.K. and Europe this summer.
"They've been recording. I'm sure there's already some new music, and I'm sure it's great," Leavell said at the time, alluding to Foreign Tongues. "We've done a good bit in the U.S. the last few years, so I think the likelihood would be somewhere else and my best guess would be probably Europe."
An unnamed American music critic speaking to the U.K. Sun claimed the itinerary was scrapped after Richards refused to commit to a multi-country, multi-week tour. When the Associated Press asked Richards about a tour at a launch event for Foreign Tongues last month, he said next year was a possibility.
"At the moment we're just sort of saying we finished the record, let's do this. And so we're basically considering what to do after, you know, pretty soon. But I don't think … Not this year, anyway," he said.
The Stones last toured in 2024 in support of their 2023 LP Hackney Diamonds.
New Album Details
Out next month, the 14-track Foreign Tongues was recorded at Metropolis Studios in West London with Jagger, Richards and Wood working with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, who also helmed Hackney Diamonds. In addition to contributions from their core collaborators, including Darryl Jones, Matt Clifford and Steve Jordan, the album includes a special appearance from Charlie Watts, recorded before his death in 2021.
"We did that in L.A. with Charlie," said Jagger of the track at an album launch event last month in New York City, according to the AP. "It's real fast, a punk-rocker."
Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, The Cure's Robert Smith and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers all make guest appearances on the record.
"I think Paul (McCartney) really wanted to jump in there," Jagger said at the event. "There was no intimidation. He wanted to play with the band."
"We had 14 great tracks and we went as fast as we could," Jagger added in a statement. Most of the songs, Wood said, were nailed "on the first take."
Richards said that the infectious songs, including lead single Rough and Twisted, continue the sonic road the group travelled on Hackney Diamonds.
"It was a month of concentrated punch," the legendary lead guitarist said. "To me, it's all about the enjoyment of it. I'm blessed to be able to do this and long may it last."
