January 19, 2013 10:32

The Rolling Stones won't play Coachella 2013, according to band source

Saga over rumoured festival headlining slot rumbles on...

Photo Gallery: The Rolling Stones
Photo: Phil Wallis/NME

The Rolling Stones won't play the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California this year, according to a source close to the band.

Although the source chose not to comment on the rumours, Rolling Stone claims that they have been informed that the legendary rock 'n' roll band will not top the bill at the bash this summer - even though they have been rumoured with a headline slot for several months.

In December last year, The Rolling Stones seemingly leaked plans to play the festival after the rock legends' mobile app listed a new live date on April 12, 2013 in Indio at Coachella 2013, although they quickly took the information down.

Speculation increased when the festival's organisers posted an advert on their Facebook page, with the image sparking excitement among fans after they interpreted it as a nod towards the band due to it depicting a stone inside the field in which Coachella takes place. However, a representative for the festival's promoter, Goldenvoice, later clarified that the image wasn't hinting at a potential headline act and, rather than a stone, it actually pictured a polo ball in reference to the Empire Polo Grounds, where the bash takes place.

Regardless of the band's plans for Coachella, however, both singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards have spoken about the possibility of playing more live shows in 2013. Jagger said that, after their brief run of gigs in London, New York and New Jersey at the tail end of 2012, the band were in fine form and keen to get back on onto the stage to continue performing, stating: "I'm going to see what's on the table and discuss it with everyone. We'll announce it when we've figured it out." Richards, meanwhile, added: "Really, all you're going to have to do is wait for an announcement."

Their comments came after Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood recently claimed that the band will "rock till they drop".

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