The Rolling Stones Announce Spring European Tour

The Rolling Stones are heading back on the road for their European “Stones 60” tour. The 14-stadium run will kick off on June 1st in Madrid, Spain and play through July 31st in Stockholm, Sweden. The band will also perform open air shows in Germany, England, Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy.

The Stones' June 9th concert at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium marks not only their first stadium show in the Beatles' hometown — but their first Liverpool gig in 51 years.

Mick Jagger explained what needs to be taken into account when playing a stadium-type show: “Really, when you go to a big, uh, stadium show, the people that go — the punters, as we call them — are not really just going to hear some pristine music. It's just sort of all-'round experience. It's halfway between going to a football match and, y'know, a music show. So, it's. . . You're really looking for — you want something to enhance the experience visually, to amplify and enhance the experience. Musicians think that's all that people want, but, I mean, I don't take their view.”

Keith Richards told us that the energy created by the Stones' live shows has always been a reflection of what's been going down in front of them on stage: “They create (laughs) pandemonium, excitement on stage. It's a two-way thing. When you get up there, you realize the only difference is that you're what they're looking at — otherwise you're all in it together.”

Guitarist Ron Wood told us that at this point — with decades of classic songs and dozens of tours under their belt — the Stones are clearly sailing in uncharted waters: “We notice that we're cutting new ground, y'know, in that no bunch of guys have ever stuck together this long in the rock n' roll field.”

JUST ANNOUNCED: The Rolling Stones tour dates (subject to change):

June 1 – Madrid, Spain – Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
June 5 – Munich, Germany – Olympic Stadium
June 9 – Liverpool, England. – Anfield Stadium
June 13 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Johan Cruijff Arena
June 17 – Bern, Switzerland – Wankdorf Stadium
June 21 – Milan, Italy – San Siro Stadium
June 25 – London, England – American Express Presents BST Hyde Park
July 3 – London, England- American Express Presents BST Hyde Park
July 11 – Brussels, Belgium – King Baudouin Stadium
July 15 – Vienna, Austria – Ernst Happel Stadium
July 19 – Lyon, France – Groupama Stadium
July 23 – Paris, France – Hippodrome Paris
July 27 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Veltins Arena
July 31 – Stockholm, Sweden – Friends Arena