The Who announce farewell tour and plans to retire: “All good things must come to an end”
After over six decades as a band, The Who have announced plans for a farewell tour in North America later this year.
The set of dates will take place across August and September. Notable stops on the road include visits to iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Fenway Park in Boston. They’ll play their final date on September 28th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Roger Daltrey said in a statement of the band’s relationship with America: “Every musician’s dream in the early 60’s was to make it big in the US charts. For the Who, that dream came true in 1967 and our lives were changed forever. The warmth of the American audiences over the years have been inspirational to me, and reflect the feeling I remember getting after hearing the first rock records coming across the radio. Musical freedom! Rock gave us a feeling of generational rebellion. To me, America has always been great.”
The frontman added: “The cultural differences had a huge impact on me, this was the land of the possible. It’s not easy to end the big part of my life that touring with The Who has been. Thanks for being there for us and look forward to seeing you one last time.”
Meanwhile, Pete Townshend noted of the band calling time on their career: “Well, all good things must come to an end. It is a poignant time. For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible. The warmth and engagement of those audiences began back in 1967 with hippies smoking dope, sitting on their blankets and listening deeply and intensely. Music was everywhere. We all felt equal.”
Looking back on their legacy, he continued: “Today, Roger and I still carry the banner for the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle and of course, all of our longtime Who fans. I must say that although the road has not always been enjoyable for me, it is usually easy: the best job I could ever have had. I keep coming back. Every time I do, I meet new fans and feel new energy.”
Townshend concluded on a positive note, adding, “Roger and I are in a good place, despite our age, eager to throw our weight behind this fond farewell to all our faithful fans, and hopefully to new ones who might jump in to see what they have been missing for the last 57 years. This tour will be about fond memories, love and laughter. Make sure you join in.”
Last year, Townshend alluded to a farewell tour when he said: “I do and I think I will. It feels to me like there’s one thing the Who can do, and that’s a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die.”
The guitarist continued: “I don’t get much of a buzz from performing with the Who. If I’m really honest, I’ve been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated.”
However, a matter of weeks later, Townshend backtracked on the idea and told the Sound Up! podcast, “I’m not doing a farewell tour. I think I was being sarcastic about it.”
The Who previously embarked on a farewell tour in 1982. They later made a series of brief one-off appearances, such as at Live Aid in 1985, before reuniting permanently in 1996.
The Who – ‘The Song Is Over’ farewell tour dates 2025:
August
16 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
21 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
26 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
September
2 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
4 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
7 – Chicago, IL – United Center
17 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
19 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
21 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
23 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
25 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
28 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
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