The Rolling Stones said Monday it would return to the stage this year with four concerts in Britain and the United States. The shows will take place on Nov. 25 and 29 at London’s O2 Arena, followed by gigs on Dec. 13 and 15 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, just outside of New York. The shows mark the first time in five years that the Stones have performed live, with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood all coming together once more. The band said it was the “crowning glory” of celebrations marking its 50th anniversary of its first gig.
The shows will be promoted by Virgin Live, a new organization spearheaded by Richard Branson and tour promoter Paul Dainty. “In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events,” Branson said in a statement. “Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows.”
The band promises an all-new, custom-built set design, featuring the tongue and floppy lip logo, that will “reach out into the crowd.” A wider tour is not planned, though the Dec. 15 performance will be available on pay per view.