Actually i think you posted first...

As for this thread, I'm also using it as a sort of 2025 Stones diary, so
there will be many happenings that have their own thread (Sabbath,
Glastonbury, zydeco, afrobeats etc) where I just give it a quick mention
here as part of the 2025 storyline, particularly with regard to Stones
music releases and promotional activity in England, which I believe will
continue to heat up

1) Very kind of you, Voo, as always

2) I started this thread in December when I could no longer hold back a fact
that had become painfully obvious to me: the Euro tour rumors were just
an intentional tease.

3) They don't tease just to tease, usually, but rather to set up something
else they want to do, in this case, release a new album. Over the ensuing
months, this "wild" idea became the conventional wisdom, even backed
by such leading lights as bv and Rockman.

4) So the reason I stopped posting on July 11, 2025 is that it had again
become obvious (to me) that Mick had pulled the plug on any new album
of originals in 2025. I shut up because I didnt want to be the bearer
of bad tidings twice in 7 months.

5) So what about 2026? I don't know. They had elaborate promotional
plans for Diamond Dust, but these plans were very 2025-specific,
so I don't think this is as simple as a postponement, but more likely
a true cancellation.

6) The bottom line is that the Stones have at least two albums of
Stones-worthy material in the can, which will only see the light of day
when both the market conditions and the marketing plan make beautiful
economic music together, which ultimately they did not in 2025.

Earlier in this thread there was a discussion of two other purported and
aborted Stones projects, the covers-heavy roots-pop LP "Blacksmiths"
and EP "Swamped"

Now think about the 3 incredibly strong tracks that they have released
since Hackney Diamonds:

Waiting for the Man
Zydeco
Shame Shame

Wow, what a treat either "Blacksmiths" or "Swamped" would have been !

(so, in the absence of a new album of originals, I am quite happy to
get one of these classic cover tunes every nine months or so. Keep it up,
Stones, and it won't be too long til I have my Blacksmiths album and/or
my Swamped EP on the installment plan)

I've read the room, so the only prediction you're gonna get out of
me about Stones 2026 is the one that everybody agrees with already:
we're gonna get a new album of originals...

what follows then is pure speculation

-- new album will not be HD2/Diamond Dust, rather mostly 2025 stuff
-- new album will not be out until late 2026
-- no Euro tour or other tour based on geography
-- but any number of special gigs and festivals, some no doubt in Europe
-- a mostly covers EP like "Swamped" a possibility in connection with the
summer 2026 gigs. The autumn 2026 gigs will be in support of the album

I don't see why not. Although personally I would prefer MGK

big thanks to Voo, he's the man...

the thinking is that this thread contains many of our hopes and dreams
for a new album, whether it be in 2025 or 2026, so I think its still
relevant...

the only big change is that it seems that the new album will not be HD2
(which judging from the forums, a lot of people did not want). Instead
it will be something entirely fresh...

Hard to object to that

via the Daily Mail:

Leonardo DiCaprio enjoyed a night out with Mick Jagger (and Andrew
Watt) in LA on Sunday after his latest movie One Battle After Another
scored a $22 million opening weekend at the box office.

The actor, 50, kept a low profile for the outing as he wore his usual black
cap which he paired with a black bomber jacket and a black T-shirt.

He was joined by Rolling Stone Mick, 82, also stepped out in a black bomber
jacket, which he layered over a black jumper and shirt.

Mick completed his ensemble with a pair of green slim fit trousers and some
white chunky trainers.