When it comes to Rolling Stones’ new music, fans can’t always get what they want – but that might all be about to change.
Eagle-eyed commuters might have spotted a mysterious poster cropping up in various locations across London today, which has been connected to the possible release of a new Rolling Stones album.
Ronnie Wood hinted at a new album in September last year, telling press that fans would be “getting a new album” in 2026.
This seemingly elusive poster, which reads simply “The Cockroaches”, bears a close resemblance to the name the Stones were billed under for a secret gig in 1977, “Keith and the Cockroaches”.
In a post published to Instagram this morning, Simon Harper, founder of the Lip Service podcast, linked the QR code on the poster to a website owned by Universal Music, the Stones’ record label.
Interestingly, a website copyrighted to the same label was used to tease the group’s “Hackney Diamonds” album back in 2023.
Upon scanning the QR code, users are taken to a relatively nondescript bedroom, with beige walls and patterned sheets covering the bed.
On the left is a pinboard bearing two gig tickets – one blue and one pink – alongside a bedside table strewn with plectrums.
Straight ahead is the same poster being sighted all over London and, below it, an analogue clock that has been stopped at 1.41pm on Saturday 11 April.
Mr Harper also noted that, when shared with a friend, the link is accompanied by an image of the phrase: “Who the F*** Are the Cockroaches?”
Prompting comparisons with the “Who the F*** is Mick Jagger?” t-shirt sported by Keith Richard in Ken Regan’s 1975 portrait of the star, the question is written in an identical typeface.
The Independent has contacted the Rolling Stones for comment.
It has been over two years since the release of “Hackney Diamonds”, which several critics have described as the band’s best work in decades.
The chart-topping album was produced by Andrew Watt, who has worked with Elton John, Pearl Jam, and Ozzy Osbourne, among others.
Last summer, the Stones were reported to be working on new music at Metropolis Studios in West London.
If the rumours are proved to be true, this would mark the Stones’ 25th studio album.
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