Mick Jagger recently spoke about his preference for touring over residencies. He explained his stance in a recent interview.
The Rolling Stones frontman addressed why he believes residencies are not in the best interest of fans. He pointed to the higher costs involved while expressing his eagerness to get back on the road.
“I’d love to tour this album, I can’t wait to sing it,” Jagger said. “There’s so many songs on this album we can do on stage, so I don’t think we’ll be touring this year, but I hope to tour next year, and I hope to do it as soon as possible. And I’d love to come to Argentina, too.”
Jagger then turned his attention to the topic of residencies. He made clear his personal reservations about the format.
“I don’t know, I’m very ambivalent about residencies personally because it makes it very expensive for people to come to residencies, it costs twice as much,” he continued. “I’m very comfortable moving around, personally. I like to go places.”
Jagger’s remarks come as the Rolling Stones continue to build momentum around their latest studio work. Getting the music in front of as many fans as possible — across as many cities as possible — remains the priority.
The album Jagger referenced is Hackney Diamonds, the band’s first studio release since A Bigger Bang in 2005. The record marks one of the most significant creative milestones in the group’s recent history. It features collaborations with a number of high-profile artists, underscoring the band’s continued relevance in the modern rock landscape.
Jagger’s cost concern is not without merit. Residencies anchor an artist to a single venue for an extended run. They typically require fans to travel to one fixed location — often a major entertainment hub — and absorb the associated costs of flights, hotels, and premium ticket prices. Traditional touring, by contrast, brings the show directly to audiences in their home markets. This significantly reduces the financial burden on fans.
The Rolling Stones have long been one of the highest-grossing live acts in music history. Their tours consistently rank among the top-earning concert runs of any given year. That track record gives Jagger’s preference for touring added weight — the band has proven, decade after decade, that a global touring model works both commercially and creatively.
With a new album in hand and a stated desire to return to the road as soon as possible, the Rolling Stones appear poised to mount another major international tour. For fans around the world — including those in Argentina, whom Jagger specifically called out — that is welcome news.
