Many Who fans have been wondering whether the band will be performing live anymore following their two shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2024 as part of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust Benefit Concert series.
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Frontman Roger Daltrey recently wrapped up a North American solo trek during which he commented on stage that he wasn’t sure about The Who’s future, partly because guitarist Pete Townshend had recently made ambiguous comments regarding his feelings about the group continuing to tour.
In a recent video interview with the Toronto Sun, Townshend clarified his feelings about hitting the road with The Who again, and also discussed whether the band might release another studio album sat some point.
Whether The Who Might Tour Again
Townshend told the Toronto Sun interviewer that before the band returned touring, he needed to discuss plans for a new trek with Daltrey.
“I think both Roger and I look forward to the very difficult subject of being able to tour again with each other, and to work in some way that that feels new and different and exciting,” he explained. The 79-year-old rock legend then noted that The Who’s recent orchestral tours have “been really, really cool.”
He added, “It hasn’t left me much space to express myself as a creative musician on stage, but it’s been a great experience.”
Having said that, Townshend noted, “[W]e need something new and we need to talk about that. So we’re hoping we can find something so that we can perform again before one of us passes away. And it will be a wonderful thing to do.”
Pete also quipped, “I don’t think we’ll ever say ‘this is our final tour’ again,” referencing the fact that The Who had labeled some previous treks as the band’s “final tour,” only to reunite and hit the road again a few years later.
Possibility of Another Who Album
The Who released its most recent studio album in December 2019. Townshend noted that the record, which simply was titled WHO, “did very, very well.”
Asked whether he thought the band will record a follow-up, Townshend had some disappointing news for fans.
“No, I don’t think we’ll make another album, and the reason is simple,” he said. “I don’t think Roger Daltrey wants to make another album. I would love to make another album, so if I want to make another album, it will have to be a solo album.”
About Townshend’s Upcoming Live Solo Box Set
Speaking about solo albums, Townshend hasn’t released a full-length solo project since his 1993 rock opera Psychoderelict.
Meanwhile, one of the main topics Pete discussed with the Toronto Sun was his new box set, Pete Townshend Live: In Concert 1985-2001, which will be released on Friday, July 26. The 14-CD collection features audio from nine different solo concerts Townshend played at various venues spanning from 1985 through 2001.
The box set comes packaged with a 28-page featuring rare photos and memorabilia, sleeve notes by archivist Matt Kent, and a new interview with Townshend.
Townshend admitted to the interview that he never really enjoyed performing live. He pointed out that he usually needed a motivating reason to play solo concerts.
“Whenever the opportunity came to do solo shows for charity I tended to do them,” he explained. “And that’s what a lot of these shows on this on this collection are, shows that I did for charity or to … plug an album that came out.
Pete Townshend Live: In Concert 1985-2001 is available for pre-order now.
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