Reports indicate that Sir Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards will take part in selected promotional activity for the follow-up to 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, though no touring plans are currently in place.
A source told The Sun’s Bizarre column: “The Rolling Stones album has been in the can for some time now.
“A lot of it was written and recorded a while back but there has been a lot of fine-tuning to make it perfect.
“They were back in Metropolis Studios in West London last year and now it’s ready to go.
“The guys are aware they aren’t getting any younger so some people are seeing this as a final album — but who knows with the Stones?
“They will be making some appearances together to promote it but there’s not going to be a tour yet.”
Fans who subscribed to WhatsApp updates from The Cockroaches recently received the message: “Pleased to meet you. Hope you guess my name,” referencing the Rolling Stones track Sympathy For The Devil.
Interest increased after posters using the name The Cockroaches and a QR code appeared in public spaces.
Journalist Matt Everitt noted that the group previously performed under the alias Blue Sunday And The Cockroaches in the early 1980s, writing: “I could be falling for an elaborate April Fool’s hoax, or I could have dropped down a rabbit hole of obscure Stones folklaw, but this would appear to be some form of cryptic @therollingstones announcement, right?”
The QR code links to thecockroaches.com, where visitors are met with the question: “Who The F*** Are The Cockroaches?”
Registration triggers a confirmation email from Universal Music, the label associated with The Rolling Stones.
Journalist Simon Harper examined the site further, noting: “The QR code takes you to thecockroaches.com, and a holding page that shows a sparse ‘70s bedroom complete with various ephemera dotted around – some plectrums, concert tickets, and vinyl records – plus a poster for The Cockroaches and a clock stuck on April 11th.”
He added: “All quite random so far, I hear you say, but the website – as with the Hackney Diamonds one – is copyrighted to Universal Music, the Stones’ label, and if you forward the link to a friend, the accompanying image is of the phrase, ‘Who the f*** are The Cockroaches?’, written in the exact same format as that ‘Who the f*** is Mick Jagger?’ T-shirt worn infamously by @officialkeef and immortalised in Ken Regan’s iconic 1975 portrait.”
Fans are now watching for a formal announcement connected to the Cockroaches branding.
