Rod Stewart has declared that his next tour will mark the end of his touring career. The 81-year-old performer announced Rod Stewart: The Final Encore, a tour beginning in April 2027 that will span the United Kingdom and Europe before concluding in Hanover, Germany, in July. The arena run includes stops in major cities including Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and London, along with an extensive European itinerary.
Stewart stated that while he has not completely ruled out occasional one-off performances, the touring component of his career is concluding with this run. In a statement, he reflected on his six decades of touring, noting that he began performing professionally at age 19. He expressed gratitude to audiences for supporting his career and enabling what he described as an extraordinary life in music.
The announcement comes after a challenging period for the performer’s live schedule. Earlier in the year, Stewart canceled dates on his One Last Time US farewell tour after experiencing health setbacks, including inflamed vocal cords and a heart procedure. He was forced to reschedule concerts that had been planned for June at Red Rocks, Colorado, which are now set for September 2027. Stewart has also dealt with various illnesses during recent touring, including flu, Covid, and strep throat, though he performed at Glastonbury despite health concerns.
Stewart’s touring history extends back to the early 1960s, when he began performing across Europe. He progressed through various bands including the Jeff Beck Group and Faces before establishing a successful solo career that began in earnest during the late 1960s. His most recent studio album, 2024’s Swing Fever, a collaboration with Jools Holland, reached number one on the UK charts.
While stepping back from touring, Stewart indicated that studio work may continue. He previously mentioned that he and former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood have been working on songs together, and both expressed interest in completing these projects when their schedules allow.
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