The Rolling Stones pianist Chuck Leavell has teased that a 2026 European tour might be in the works.
The legendary rockers wrapped up their most recent ‘Hackney Diamonds’ tour last year, which saw them travel across North America in support of their 2023 album of the same name.
However, plans for a UK and Europe leg this year were reportedly scrapped due to complications with suitable venues, travel and pre-existing commitments. The Stones were rumoured to visit cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Rome, along with four huge gigs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Now, following rumours of a European tour, pianist Chuck Leavell has told The Sun‘s Bizarre column that the band may be due to visit the continent soon for some shows. According to The Sun, who attended the band’s launch for the reissue of 1976 album ‘Black And Blue’, Leavell reportedly said: “They don’t want to hang up the rock ’n’ roll shoes yet. There’s no doubt in my mind.
“We’ve done a good bit in the US the last few years, so I think the likelihood would be somewhere else and my best guess would be probably Europe.”
Leavell also echoed previous comments from guitarist Ronnie Wood, who confirmed that a new album from the band is “done” and due in 2026.
“They’ve been recording,” Leavell is quoted as saying. “I’m sure there’s already some new music, and I’m sure it’s great. I also am very sure that the band wants to perform.”
Meanwhile, producer Andrew Watt has confirmed he’s producing the new Rolling Stones album. Watt produced their Grammy-winning 24th studio album, ‘Hackney Diamonds’ in 2023, and he described working with the band as “like working for Batman.”
“When the tongue is up in the air, you just go…,” he mysteriously explained. “I can say we did some recording together, but that’s all I can say.”
Keith Richards’ son Marlon also confirmed that the band had been working on a new album last September, describing it as being “nearly done”.
Marlon went on to speculate that the group were “planning a tour of Europe” – though the tour has not been officially confirmed at the time of writing.
The Stones last played the UK in 2022, when two huge BST Hyde Park gigs followed by a stadium show at Liverpool’s Anfield.
We reviewed their show in Madrid that year, giving it five stars: “The band’s return to Europe for their first shows post-COVID is undoubtedly a special one, and the focused mission of the tour – celebrating the band’s legacy, but trying to keep it fresh – brings extra gravitas to the evening.
“At the rate and intensity they’re going at, there’s little stopping them from making a crack at their own Platinum Jubilee in the years to come.”
