The Rolling Stones are one of the most iconic and long-lasting rock bands of all time. Formed in 1962, the band rose to fame in the 1960s and cemented themselves as rock legends with hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Get Off Of My Cloud,” and “Paint It Black.” Now well into their 70s and 60s, many fans wonder – do the Stones still tour?
Quick Answer
Yes, the Rolling Stones are still actively touring and performing worldwide. The band continues to draw huge crowds and earn record grossing tour numbers despite the advanced age of members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts. Their most recent tour, the No Filter Tour, ran from 2017-2021 and grossed over $415 million according to Billboard Boxscore. So while the days of their more frequent and larger scale tours like those of the 70s, 80s and 90s may be behind them, the Stones remain a powerful live draw and show no signs of hanging up their touring shoes just yet.
The Stones’ Touring History
The Rolling Stones have been extensively touring for over 50 years. Here’s an overview of their history of live performances:
1960s-1970s
– Tours across the UK, Europe, and North America throughout the 60s as their fame grows. Notable tours include:
– 1972 North American Tour in support of Exile on Main St., their first US tour in 3 years.
– 1975 Tour of the Americas, their first since the 1969 disaster at Altamont.
1980s
– 1981 American Tour resulted in largest indoor concerts at the time (90,000+ at the Silverdome).
– 1989-1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour was their first in 7 years and highest grossing to date ($260 million).
1990s
– 1994 Voodoo Lounge Tour grossed over $300 million.
– 1997-1998 Bridges to Babylon Tour grossed over $274 million.
2000s
– 2002-2003 Licks Tour grossed over $300 million.
– 2005-2007 A Bigger Bang Tour was their highest grossing tour ever at the time ($558 million).
2010s
– 2012-2013 50 & Counting tour commemorated 50th anniversary; grossed $117 million.
– 2014-2015 Zip Code Tour; grossed $109 million.
– 2016-2017 Blue & Lonesome Tour in support of their album of the same name.
Their Most Recent Tour: No Filter (2017-2021)
The Stones most recent concert tour was the No Filter Tour, which originally ran from 2017-2018. After postponing several dates due to Mick Jagger’s health issues, the tour picked back up in 2021 but faced further delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some key facts and stats about the tour:
– Launched in Europe in fall 2017 before coming to North America in 2019.
– Was planned as a back-to-basics tour with stripped down stage production.
– Added new dates in 2020, 2021 after postponements.
– Played stadiums and arenas in 17 countries over 4 legs.
– Gross over $415 million from 95 shows according to Billboard Boxscore.
Setlist
The setlist drew heavily from the band’s 60s and 70s catalog, while mixing in later hits like “Start Me Up” and “Miss You.” Songs played at most shows included:
– “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
– “Let’s Spend the Night Together”
– “Tumbling Dice”
– “Out of Control”
– “Paint It Black”
– “Honky Tonk Women”
– “Sympathy for the Devil”
– “Gimme Shelter”
– “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
– “Brown Sugar”
Attendance
Total attendance for the entire tour was over 2.55 million fans. Some notable attendance milestones were:
– October 14, 2017 – First show in Hamburg drew 72,000 fans.
– May 22, 2018 – Largest indoor crowd of tour at 50,807 in London.
– August 18, 2019 – Biggest crowd of tour at 60,411 in Pasadena.
– July 23, 2021 – Final show of tour in 120,000 in Arlington, Texas.
Revenue
The massive No Filter Tour added significantly to the Stones’ career touring gross. Some key revenue numbers:
– $117.3 million from first North American leg in 2019 according to Billboard.
– £10.4 million total from two London shows in 2018 per Express.
– Overall total gross over $415 million.
– On average grossed $8.1 million per show in North America.
| Leg | Year | Shows | Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 2017 | 14 | $117 million |
| UK/Europe | 2018 | 18 | $83.2 million |
| North America | 2019 | 21 | $177 million |
| North America | 2021 | 13 | $115 million |
Do the Stones Plan to Tour Again?
Many fans wondered if the No Filter tour would be the band’s last hurrah. However, the Stones have indicated they are not ready to stop touring permanently. A few positive signs:
Mick Jagger Interview
In an October 2021 interview with Apple Music, Jagger stated:
“This is the last tour we’re gonna do. You know, we’re ready to write some new songs. We want to do something original. Of course, we love playing our audiences and stuff and we’ll do that again. But this is our last big tour. We can’t do those any more.”
But he clarified they would still continue performing, just not prolonged multi-year tours.
Band Together 2.0
In July 2022 it was announced the Stones would play two special charity concerts in Boston titled “Band Together 2.0.” Proceeds went to the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter.
Hyde Park Show
The Stones will play a special July 2023 open air concert in London’s Hyde Park, their first show there in over 50 years.
So while their days of grueling years-long tours are likely over, all signs point to the band continuing to play selective dates and festivals in the years ahead. As long as their health permits, the Stones appear intent to keep rolling.
Why Do the Stones Keep Touring?
Given their age and decades of touring under their belts, what motivates the Stones to stay on the road? A few likely factors:
Financial Reward
The Stones still rake in massive paydays from live shows. The No Filter Tour generated well over $400 million. At their level of fame, they can command seven-figure nightly payouts. Touring remains a major income stream.
Adulation
Few bands can still fill stadiums 50+ years into their careers. The Stones revel in the mass adulation from crowds that span multiple generations. They clearly feed off the live energy.
Love of Performing
The Stones are first and foremost musicians. Playing live shows is in their DNA. Despite the grueling pace, they still gain joy and rush from delivering their iconic songs directly to fans night after night.
Cementing Legacy
Legends like the Stones have a legacy to protect. Staying active and drawing huge crowds maintains their status alongside bands like the Beatles and U2. Quitting tours for good would invite speculation about decline.
Unity & Camaraderie
The four core members have played together for decades. Staying on tour strengthens their friendship and musical bond. They likely want to keep the brotherhood going.
How Long Can the Stones Keep Touring?
Most aging rock bands have called it quits by now. But the stones have proven expectations wrong so far. Still, how long can they defy age to keep touring?
As Long as Health Permits
The number one factor is the members’ physical health and ability to perform 2+ hour high-energy shows. Jagger (79) remains in good shape, while Charlie Watts’ death shows health can deteriorate quickly. But if they maintain health, no reason they can’t continue at some capacity.
At Least Through 2024
The Hyde Park show signals the band plans to tour into at least 2024 when they’ll mark their 60th anniversary. But even milestone markers may not stop them. Will likely keep playing selective shows annually.
Farewell Tour Unlikely
Most groups announce farewell tours as a last hurrah. But the Stones have no interest in framing any tour as the final one. They want to keep options open, so no farewell tour on the horizon.
Could Tour in Limited Capacity
If health issues emerge, they may opt to play mini residencies in select cities. This allows more rest without full tour grind. But they show no signs of slowing yet.
Conclusion
The days of months-long worldwide Rolling Stones tours may be drawing to a close. But the legendary rockers clearly still relish playing live and connecting with generations of fans. Given their seeming vitality and keenness to continue, the Stones appear likely to grace stages as long as their health permits. Although tours may be limited going forward, the world’s greatest rock and roll band remains intent on carrying on for the time being. So while the paint may be chipping, the Stones are not ready to gather dust just yet. Their next chapter may be rooted more in one-off shows and festivals rather than prolonged tours, but the satisfaction of live performance still looms large. As long as Jagger’s hips sway, Richards’ riffs roar, and the crowds scream, the iconic tongue logo shall still wag.
