Keith Richards reveals that the Rolling Stones have upcoming live shows booked
In an interview with Q magazine, the lead guitarist of the 50-year old band said, "We've got some shows in London, I believe, and in New York, but I really can't talk about any of that at the moment. They've put the gag on me on this. You can hint!"
Keith also commented on how the band's month of rehearsals are going: "Everybody relies upon their instincts, especially once you start working regularly together again. Because it pulls all the bits and pieces together, which when you're not working and playing with the guys, dissipates, obviously; you're not having that immediate contact.
"But kind of two days of hanging around with the guys again, a certain demon energy takes over and you wonder where it's coming from!"
In August, Billboard magazine claimed that they had found out through an undisclosed source that the band is set to play two dates at London's O2 Arena and two at Brooklyn's Barclays Center in November. Indeed, according to Billboard's source, the Stones are set to be paid $25 million for the four shows. London's O2 Arena holds 20,000, as will the Barclays Center when it is complete in September. So for the Stones to be paid this colossal amount, ticket prices are likely to be sky high (even if other funding from, for example, TV rights is brought in). The report also claimed that the dates were to be promoted by Richard Branson and Paul Dainty.
The Rolling Stones have seen a lot of action in their 50th year of operation - a 50th Anniversary photo-book, a life-story documentary entitled "Crossfire Hurricane" and a new greatest hits compilation called "GRRR!". Indeed, if one accedes to the fact that to expect a new studio album from the band in such a busy year would be unrealistic, then the only missing piece to our 2012 Stones puzzle is a few shows (come-back shows?) to round off the year of celebrations.
