Keith Richards has cast doubt on whether the Rolling Stones will embark on another world tour, saying the physical demands of travel may have caught up with him even as the band prepares to release a new album.
“I don’t know if tours are possible,” Richards told Uncut magazine. “It’s the traveling that takes it out of you. But I do see the possibility of us doing a residency somewhere. Wherever it is, London, New York, Paris, anywhere. I’ll play Rome! But I don’t see why they shouldn’t be able to throw some shows together in a new format.”
Richards acknowledged there has been “some wear and tear” on the band over the years. Asked whether he still feels excited about the Rolling Stones, he replied, “Yeah, it’ll be exciting until something inside me says, ‘That’s that.’ I love working with the guys. I mean, what am I gonna do?”
He added that it’s “necessary for me – at gunpoint, if needs be – to keep a band together,” and described the support of his bandmates as “an incredible gift” he “didn’t expect.”
Residency instead of a tour
While Richards stopped short of ruling out live performances, he suggested extended residencies could replace the traditional touring model.
He said the band could base itself in cities such as London, New York or Paris, specifically mentioning Rome as a place he would be happy to play. The proposal reflects a willingness to continue performing while avoiding the strain of constant travel.
Richards has previously downplayed expectations for new tour dates. Speaking at a New York press event in May to announce the band’s upcoming album, he said, “Oh, I mean, we can talk next year. At the moment, we’re just sort of saying we finished the record, let’s do this.”
He added, “Not this year anyway.”
Jagger remains eager to tour
Mick Jagger has taken a different view from his longtime bandmate.
Jagger told BBC Radio 2’s Tracks of My Year that he “can’t wait” to return to the road and hopes to tour again “as soon as possible,” while acknowledging it will not happen in 2026. In other interviews, he has similarly said he would “absolutely” love to tour again.
Questions about the band’s future touring plans have persisted for months. The group previously shelved plans for a U.K. and European stadium run after reports suggested Richards was reluctant to commit. A spokesperson later confirmed the plans had been dropped.
The band’s most recent performances took place in North America in 2024 in support of their album Hackney Diamonds.
Arthritis and adapting to age
Richards has also spoken openly about the physical challenges of aging.
Earlier this year, he told Guitar World that arthritis has forced him to adapt his playing style.
“At my age, what I find most interesting about the guitar is you can compensate for certain disabilities and nimbleness and find other ways of getting around the problem. And it teaches you another thing – you never stop learning with the damn thing. I love it and it’s my friend forever,” he said.
The guitarist said those adjustments have reinforced his appreciation for the instrument, even as age presents new challenges.
