Roger Daltrey - Pete Townshend - The Who - 2017

Credit: Dena Flows

Pete Townshend is “interested” in taking The Who to the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas

Tue 25 June 2024 15:37, UK

Despite the speculation surrounding their future, Pete Townshend has denied The Who have played their final show, and admitted he’s “interested” in taking the band to the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas.

The Who last took to the stage earlier this year for two special acoustic performances at the Royal Albert Hall, which coincided with frontman Roger Daltrey signing off from his role as concert curator for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Since then, The Who have yet to schedule another performance, and it looks uncertain when they’ll next take to the stage. Additionally, Daltrey recently said of The Who and his future: “I don’t write the songs. I never did. We need to sit down and have a meeting, but at the moment, I’m happy saying that part of my life is over.”

Now, in a new interview with NME, Townshend criticised their recent shows at the Royal Albert Hall because “the rehearsals were somewhat fucked up”, however, he kept the door open for more concerts in the future.

Although he admitted another album is unlikely, Townshend said “it would be a joy because I love writing songs” but conceded Daltrey doesn’t want to do it. Nevertheless, their creative partnership is far from over.

Many bands of their generation are currently embarking on seemingly never-ending farewell tours, Townshend admits it would “help sell a few tickets” but he believes the “story of the end of The Who is gonna be when either Roger or I drop dead or can’t function anymore on the stage.”

While Townshend is now reaching the autumnal stage of his career, he’s constantly look to break new ground. Next year, a new ballet adaptation of The Who’s rock opera, Quadrophenia, will tour the United Kingdom for the first time.

Director and choreographer Paul Roberts, who has previously worked with the likes of Harry Styles and the Spice Girls, is set to choreograph, while Tony Award-winning Rob Ashford will direct. Dancer Paris Fitzpatrick will take on the character of Jimmy.

Additionally, Townshend is eyeing up the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, which was opened by U2 last year and has since staged residencies by Dead and Company and Phish. The innovative arena would allow The Who to put on a spectacle on an immersive scale unlike anything they’ve previously accomplished.

He told the publication: “I don’t think we’ve ever had that kind of idea. I must admit, I’m interested in the [Las Vegas] Sphere – just as a crazy, narcissistic art school thing. It’s interesting as a venue because it challenges you to beat the fabric of the theatre.”

Meanwhile, Townshend didn’t tule out the possibility of creating a hologram show like Abba Voyage, adding, “If somebody wants to do it I don’t know that I would stop them, but they’re not gonna get me in one of those grids.”

However, Daltrey did recently rubbish this notion, stating, “I’ve never thought about it. I wouldn’t want to go and see it.”