The Rolling Stones surprised fans in London on July 8 with an intimate, three-song performance held during a promotional listening event for their upcoming album, Foreign Tongues. Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood took the stage at the St. Clement Hotel, accompanied by the band’s long-time touring keyboardist Matt Clifford, marking the group’s first live appearance since their 2024 tour concluded on July 21 in Ridgedale, Missouri.
The impromptu set featured stripped-down renditions of classic tracks “Dead Flowers” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” alongside a debut performance of the new song “Ringing Hollow.” While the event drew significant attention, guitarist Keith Richards was notably absent from the performance, a move that was not addressed or explained by the band’s representatives during the evening. The London gathering followed a large-scale drone display over the city skyline that projected the band’s signature lips-and-tongue logo.
Production and Collaboration on Foreign Tongues
The upcoming album Foreign Tongues, produced by Andrew Watt, represents a rapid turnaround for the band. According to production details, the project was recorded in under a month at Metropolis Studios in London. The record features a roster of high-profile guest contributors, including Paul McCartney—who previously appeared on the band’s 2023 release, Hackney Diamonds—as well as Steve Winwood, Robert Smith of The Cure, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
In interviews regarding the thematic direction of the new music, Mick Jagger has pointed to a focus on the shifting landscape of the United States. Discussing the track “Ringing Hollow” with Mojo, Jagger noted that the lyrics grapple with the decline of the American Empire and questions regarding imperial overreach. Jagger characterized the current political and economic climate in the U.S. as significantly different from his earlier experiences, citing concerns over the high costs of election cycles and the influence of the lobbying system.
Digital Expansion and Merchandise
Beyond the release of Foreign Tongues, The Rolling Stones are continuing their foray into digital platforms with a new immersive gaming experience launching on Roblox on July 10. The game allows users to traverse decades of the band’s history and iconography, with gameplay centered on shattering crystals inspired by their previous studio album, Hackney Diamonds. The project involves collaborations with over a dozen digital creators to provide both virtual and physical merchandise for the platform’s user base.
The band’s recent London event stands in contrast to a previous listening party held in New York on May 5. That event, hosted by Conan O’Brien, served as an introduction to the new material but did not include a live performance from members of the band. As the group prepares for the official release of Foreign Tongues, fans can monitor the band’s official channels for further updates regarding tour dates or additional promotional appearances.