Proving that even in their 64th year in rock n' roll, they're still the bad boys, The Rolling Stones hosted a star-studded album release party on Wednesday (7/8) where they live debuted their most politically biting tune in years.
In a swanky London hotel overlooking the Thames 82-year-old Mick Jagger (who celebrates a birthday in a few weeks) and guitarist Ronnie Wood (who just turned 79) played a three-song set to celebrate their new album, Foreign Tongues.
The 14-track record produced by Andrew Watt who helmed their previous album 2023's Hackney Diamonds, drops today. It's the Stones' 25th studio album.
Alongside keyboardist Matt Clifford (who co-wrote a pair of the songs on the album), Jagger and Wood kicked off their mini-set with what the singer told the audience was "a love letter to America," the sharp-tongued "Ringing Hollow."
The slow-moving honky tonk whose music could have come from 1970s Exile on Main St., but whose lyrics are clearly aimed at modern day DC.
It's ringing hollow
It's ringing deep
It's ringing loud
And there's always a king
Trying to pick up the crown
But what do you think about that?
They took away the welcome mat
Lady Liberty don't look so good
When there's a tear in her gown
After performing "Dead Flowers," in front of the likes Sam Fender, Spandau Ballet frontman Gary Kemp, Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, 8x Wimbledon champ John McEnroe, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, the trio concluded their intimate set with "You Can't Always Get What You Want."
Was that, too, a jab across the pond or was it a nod to the fact guitarist Keith Richard was in the States and couldn't join the soiree?
Richards, whose song on the album is "Some of Us," is currently at his home in Connecticut. Recently he dashed the hopes of a world tour.
“I don’t know if tours are possible,” the 82-year-old told Uncut Magazine. “It’s the travelling that takes it out of you. But I do see the possibility of us doing residency somewhere. Wherever it is, London, New York, Paris, anywhere. I’ll play Rome! But I don’t see why they shouldn’t be able to throw some shows together in a new format.”
Could that new format be The Sphere? Or simply a long run at one venue like Harry Styles' recently wrapped 12-night run at Wembley Stadium?
“I’d love to tour this album,” Jagger told an Argentine radio station last week. “I can’t wait to sing. There’re so many songs on the album that we could do on stage."
But what about residencies?
“I don’t know, I mean… I’m very ambivalent about residencies personally because, you know, it makes it very expensive for people to come to a residency. It costs twice as much," he explained, noting people would have to pay for lodging and travel.
In London, Mick explained that Keith was at his home in Connecticut and sends his regards.
“I spoke to Keith on the phone earlier," Mick told the attendees he’s sad he can’t be here tonight, but he makes himself very loud and clear on the new album, I can tell you that.”
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