The Return of The Rolling Stones
After weeks of speculation fueled by cryptic posters across London, The Rolling Stones have officially confirmed their return to the music scene. The mystery surrounding the moniker ‘The Cockroaches’—an alias previously used by the band for secret performances—has been resolved, with the group preparing to release a brand-new single titled ‘Rough And Twisted’ this weekend.
The campaign began with mysterious posters featuring a QR code, which directed fans to a website echoing the sentiment of Ronnie Wood’s iconic ‘Who The Fuck Is Mick Jagger?’ t-shirt. Following confirmation from Universal Music, it is now clear that the rock legends are entering a new creative chapter.
New Music and ‘Rough And Twisted’
According to reports from The Times, the upcoming single ‘Rough And Twisted’ captures the band’s classic energy. Mick Jagger is said to deliver a vocal performance that explores themes of travel and grit, set against an electric blues riff reminiscent of the band’s 1981 hit ‘Start Me Up’. The track is expected to feature a “killer riff” and a signature harmonica solo from Jagger, arriving as a vinyl-only “white label” release this Saturday, April 11.
This single serves as the lead-off for a new, as-yet-untitled studio album. This record will mark the band’s 26th studio effort and their first since the 2023 Grammy-winning Hackney Diamonds. The project sees the band reuniting with producer Andrew Watt, who played a pivotal role in the success of their previous record.
The Rolling Stones perform live. CREDIT: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
Beyond the upcoming release, the band is reportedly already looking toward the future, with at least 10 additional songs already written for subsequent projects.
The Status of Future Tours
While the news of new music is cause for celebration, fans hoping for an immediate return to the stage may need to temper their expectations. A spokesperson for the band has clarified that there are currently no concerts planned, noting: “The Rolling Stones will play when they decide to, not before.”
This statement reinforces reports from last year that the band had scrapped plans for a 2026 UK and European stadium tour, primarily due to Keith Richards being unable to commit to the rigorous schedule. The band’s last major outing was their highly successful 2024 ‘Hackney Diamonds’ tour in the US, which grossed an estimated $235 million and solidified their status as one of the highest-grossing touring acts in the world.
For now, the focus remains on the music. With the band continuing to collaborate with Andrew Watt and maintaining a prolific writing pace, the legacy of The Rolling Stones continues to evolve well into their seventh decade.
