Fans of The Rolling Stones are scrambling to decode a mysterious set of posters that have appeared across London, fuelling speculation that the legendary band could be preparing to drop new music — or even stage a surprise live show.
The intrigue centres around a series of eye-catching posters bearing the name ‘The Cockroaches’, alongside a QR code and little else.
The cryptic campaign has quickly sparked widespread discussion online, with fans and music insiders alike trying to piece together whether the stunt is linked to Mick Jagger and co.
One of the first to highlight the discovery was journalist and broadcaster Matt Everitt, who pointed out that the unusual name may not be random at all.
In fact, it has historical ties to the band, having previously been used as a pseudonym during secret performances. In the early 1980s, the group famously played an under-the-radar gig under the alias Blue Sunday And The Cockroaches, adding weight to the theory that history could be repeating itself.
Sharing images of the posters and the website they link to, Everitt admitted even he wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it all.
“I could be falling for an elaborate April Fool’s hoax, or I could have dropped down a rabbit hole of obscure Stones folklaw, but this would appear to be some form of cryptic @therollingstones announcement, right?” he wrote.
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Scanning the QR code leads fans to a newly created website — thecockroaches.com — which only deepens the mystery.
Upon clicking the sign-up button, users are met with the provocative message: “Who The Fuck Are The Cockroaches?” alongside an invitation to subscribe for updates.
The tone and aesthetic have raised eyebrows, with many noting the deliberate nods to the band’s rebellious image and long-standing sense of humour.
Everitt also pointed out a visual link that hardcore fans were quick to recognise.
The slogan on the site echoes a now-iconic moment involving guitarist Ronnie Wood, specifically a vintage image tied to a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “Who the fuck is Mick Jagger?” — a cheeky jab that has become part of Stones folklore.
Further adding to the speculation, those who sign up for updates receive a confirmation email from Universal Music Group, the same label that represents the Stones. That detail has convinced many that the campaign is unlikely to be a prank, instead pointing towards an official — if deliberately cryptic — rollout.
Journalist Simon Harper also weighed in after exploring the site, offering further clues about its design and hidden references.
“The QR code takes you to thecockroaches.com, and a holding page that shows a sparse ‘70s bedroom complete with various ephemera dotted around – some plectrums, concert tickets, and vinyl records – plus a poster for The Cockroaches and a clock stuck on April 11th,” he wrote.
He continued, drawing connections between the website and previous Stones campaigns. “All quite random so far, I hear you say, but the website – as with the Hackney Diamonds one – is copyrighted to Universal Music, the Stones’ label, and if you forward the link to a friend, the accompanying image is of the phrase, ‘Who the fuck are The Cockroaches?’, written in the exact same format as that ‘Who the fuck is Mick Jagger?’ T-shirt worn infamously by @officialkeef and immortalised in Ken Regan’s iconic 1975 portrait.”
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The band’s history of using aliases for intimate or surprise gigs only adds fuel to the fire. As well as the early ‘80s show, they have performed under the Cockroaches name at various points, including gigs in Toronto in 1977, Atlanta in 1978 and Worcester in 1981 — with audiences often only discovering the band’s true identity shortly before the performances began.
Despite the mounting clues, there has been no official confirmation linking the posters to the Stones, and representatives for the band have yet to comment. Still, fans are already speculating about what could be coming next.
“Very exciting. New album would be good but tour better news,” one person commented on Everitt’s post, reflecting the broader mood among the fanbase.
A full-scale tour, however, appears unlikely in the immediate future. The band previously confirmed that plans for a 2026 UK and European stadium tour had been scrapped, reportedly due to Keith Richards being unable to commit to the dates. That decision followed their hugely successful ‘Hackney Diamonds’ tour in the US in 2024, which sold nearly one million tickets across 20 shows and generated an estimated $235 million (£185.1 million) — placing it among the highest-grossing tours of the year.
The Stones last performed in the UK in 2022, headlining major shows at BST Hyde Park and Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, further cementing their status as one of the most enduring live acts in music history.
Given those circumstances, a one-off show — potentially under an alias — seems far more plausible, particularly as the band have long embraced the idea of intimate gigs as a way to reconnect with fans.
There is also growing expectation that new music could be on the horizon. Producer Andrew Watt revealed last year that he had been working with the band again, following their Grammy-winning 2023 album Hackney Diamonds, their first release since the death of drummer Charlie Watts.
Later, Ronnie Wood confirmed that a new record had already been completed and is expected to arrive in 2026, although no official announcement, title or release date has yet been shared.
For now, the mystery of The Cockroaches remains unsolved — but if there’s one thing fans of The Rolling Stones know, it’s that the band rarely does anything without purpose. Whether it leads to new music, a secret gig, or something entirely unexpected, the speculation alone has already achieved one thing: putting one of rock’s most iconic bands firmly back in the spotlight.
