We live in a moment when, after stretches of stagnation, the access to the star system has widened. Veterans stand alongside young artists, and careers span eras that once seemed impossible for youth music. On the same shelves coexist new stars fresh from adolescence and veterans well into their eighties. While the term boomer is tossed around as an insult, a handful of enduring institutions remain in the spotlight: the Rolling Stones and Madonna, both alive and remarkably active beyond conventional retirement.
Mick Jagger and his bandmates are proving the point with Hackney Diamonds, an album of new material released this Friday as their first in 17 years. The group also teased a global celebration tour that started in London last weekend, with dates in Europe and North America to follow. The energy feels almost miraculous for a band that has weathered decades of rumors about disbandment and the so-called last tour.
This is what the Rolling Stones new album Hackney Diamonds sounds like, track by track
The band is back on stage
For three artists who have shared the stage since the 1960s, Jagger, Keith Richards aged in December, and Ron Wood aged 76, the resurfacing in 2024 has felt like a long-awaited return. Early talks about disbandment have faded as the trio plans a wider tour, with North American dates kicking off and plans to expand as concerts resume around the world.
They show they do not need a new album to fill stadiums, yet Hackney Diamonds serves as a contemporary touchstone that updates the band’s image after the passing of Charlie Watts and the changes that followed. It is an album that aims to sound current, not nostalgic. Jagger described the goal during a YouTube conversation, noting that the music should feel recorded this year rather than 40 years ago.
Mick Jagger sings and runs the show at age 80
The sonic spark comes from young producer Andrew Watt, who turns 33 this week. Watt has built a track record with artists like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus and has helped shape the Stones’ continued relevance. The band’s timeless appeal persists, as seen in a pop culture moment such as a collaboration with Barça that nods to the classic logo and the jersey design set by John Pasche in 1970.
A rich catalog endures
Madonna, who turned 65 this August, remains a dominant force and a rare veteran who still headlines major tours. The music landscape can be hard on aging performers, especially in commercial pop, where changes are rapid and the physical demands are high. Yet artists like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Olivia Rodrigo continue to build lasting legacies as the years pass. Madonna’s current shows feature a sweeping catalog that includes hits from Holiday to Vogue and Like a Prayer, a reminder of how a handful of songs keep a generation engaged.
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Madonna and the Stones aren’t alone in this enduring era of pop age. The industry keeps returning to its icons, not just for nostalgia but for the vitality they bring to live performances. Across the Pacific and beyond, veteran acts continue to draw crowds. Rock legends continue to tour, and even at 76, Brian Johnson leads ACDC on stage at high energy venues, while Paul McCartney, now in his eighties, remains a near-constant presence on the global stage. The ongoing tours show that timeless names still draw attention in the modern concert economy.
The health check
Health remains a factor as the calendar advances. Bruce Springsteen has adjusted dates in response to a peptic ulcer, while Aerosmith has paused a farewell tour due to vocal cord issues faced by Steven Tyler. Eric Clapton has faced a long career with health challenges but continues to perform in select concerts. These stories reflect a broader truth: the pillars of pop culture can endure, even when the road is rocky, and audiences respond with loyalty and fascination to the giants who built the era.