Mick Jagger revealed that the Rolling Stones are planning a tour to support their upcoming album 'Foreign Tongues,' following a spectacular drone lights show over the River Thames in London on Wednesday night. The album, set for release on Friday, is the band's second studio album since drummer Charlie Watts passed away in 2021 and their 25th overall since forming in 1962.
Album Launch Event and Drone Display
The launch party featured a dazzling drone display that lit up the night sky with shapes, including the band's iconic lips-and-tongue logo. This event followed a previous launch in New York in May, attended by Jagger, guitarist Ronnie Wood, and fellow guitarist Keith Richards.
Tour Plans and Collaborations
"We hope we go on tour, Ronnie and I are really into that, so we hope we see everyone on the road," Jagger, 82, told Reuters as he and Wood, 79, arrived at the album's launch party. The 14-track album includes guest contributions from Paul McCartney, The Cure's Robert Smith, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others. Jagger noted that many collaborations were accidental, saying, "People come and visit you in studios and (say) ‘can I come down and listen’? Robert Smith came just to listen, and I said, 'Robert, you can't just listen, you've got to sing', so he went and sang and played some guitar."
Band Dynamics and Longevity
In an exclusive interview with Apple Music, the band reflected on their six-decade career. Ronnie Wood remarked, "We don't oversoak hanging out. We live our own lives and when we do get back together, it is like no time has gone by, so we are back just like boys in the playground." Keith Richards joked about their relationship being a "marriage of another kind," adding, "Who's wife and who's husband is another thing. Maybe that's what keeps it going but when you meet the guy that has the same taste in music and feel for it as you do, it is more than double the pleasure. You can't put your finger on it. It is a mystery."
Success Through Personal Space
Jagger attributed much of their success to maintaining personal space. "We haven't been living in each other's pockets. When you start off, you're kind of all like a little gang together and you see indie bands recording and they are all having a beer together. You're always together. We just started to live a quite long way apart. In a way, maybe that works for you because you're not on top of each other," he said.
Musical Style of 'Foreign Tongues'
Jagger also discussed the musical style of the new album, stating, "The Rolling Stones has a very large repertoire of styles. So, it's not just a blues band." He added that the album comprises various genres while incorporating their blues roots. "When we were young we would try all those styles but as you get older, you get a bit more conservative," he concluded.
