Latest news with #AlbertHall
Spectator
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Anyone irritated by Springsteen's speeches hasn't been paying attention
No one who went to see Bruce Springsteen's Broadway residency a few years back came away disappointed because they knew what they were getting: a tightly scripted show, in which there was more speech than music. The country star Eric Church – who made his name with a single called 'Springsteen' – appeared to have been taking notes, for that was the model for his 'residency' at the Albert Hall. All that he lacked was the tight script – and Springsteen's charm and charisma. It was, the MC told us, Church's first time in the UK in eight years, but the place was horribly undersold, the top tier almost empty and spaces all around the stalls. That didn't help matters, because this was no rambunctious full-band country show of the kind that has become big business recently. Instead it was just Church and a selection of acoustic guitars, and stories that went on and on, and nowhere in particular, like the musical equivalent of the golfer at the bar talking you through his back nine, stroke by laborious stroke. He's been doing this show in his bar in Nashville for a while. He calls it 'To Beat the Devil'. It's presented as his life story told through songs. But in this telling, Church's life appears to have consisted solely of him believing he was brilliant, being told he wasn't, then finally becoming brilliant anyway. If you were interested in the inner workings of the Nashville music industry, this was very much the show for you. If you were interested in hearing Church's best songs, it was not: he threw away four of his finest – 'How 'Bout You', 'Two Pink Lines', 'Pledge Allegiance to the Hag' and 'Sinners Like Me' – in snippets early on to illustrate the stupidity of the executives who turned them down.
Leader Live
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
The Who have no plans for UK farewell tour despite announcing final US gigs
It comes after singer Daltrey, 81, and his bandmate Townshend, 79, announced news of a final tour of the US and Canada. Asked if a farewell tour in their home country could follow suit, Daltrey told a press conference in London: 'Let's see if we survive this one.' The Song Is Over… The Who's Final North American tour! Don't miss out on early ticket access through The Wholigans Fan Club at before May 12th 🎟️ — The Who (@TheWho) May 8, 2025 He added: 'Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the UK, because, for some reason or the other, the UK has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B. 'In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible.' He added: 'I don't want to say that there won't be (a UK farewell tour), but equally I'm not confident in saying there will be.' Guitarist and vocalist Townshend, said: 'The door is open to us. 'We could do a week at the O2, a couple of weeks, maybe, at the Albert Hall, there are all of kind of things we could do. 'But you know, we don't do consecutive shows. We like to do a show and take a break.' Daltrey, who had a growth removed from his vocal cords in 2009, said a throat specialist has told him he should have a 'day off' after every gig he performs. He said: 'I can't do consecutive shows. At the end of the tour I might be able to do two back to back. 'I've been ordered by my throat specialist, (who would) say, 'You have to have a day off after every gig, and then after every three gigs you have to have two days off, because otherwise you will wreck your voice and you will not be able to sing'.' The duo of Daltrey and Townshend will perform hits from across their six-decade career during The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour, named after the band's 1971 hit. The band formed in the 1960s with a line-up that consisted of lead singer Daltrey; guitarist and vocalist Townshend; drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978; and bass guitarist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. Last year, it was announced that Daltrey was stepping back from his role as curator of the Teenage Cancer Trust's Royal Albert Hall concerts, having launched the series in 2000, but he remains an honorary patron of the charity, with The Cure's Robert Smith taking over curation duties next year. The tour starts in Florida on August 16 2025, with further dates in cities including New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and Vancouver, before a final date in Las Vegas on September 28. Pre-sales will run from May 13 ahead of the general sale beginning on Friday May 16 at 10am. The Who, formed in 1964, are best known for the albums Who's Next, Tommy and Quadrophenia, with the latter two adapted into films in 1975 and 1979 respectively. The band went from performing club shows to headlining the Woodstock festival in the US and becoming the biggest box-office draw in the world. The band had 14 UK Top 10 singles and they were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990. In 2019, they released the album Who, marking Daltrey and Townshend's first collection of new material since their 2006 album Endless Wire.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The Who have no plans for UK farewell tour despite announcing final US gigs
The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have revealed there are no plans at the moment for a farewell tour of the UK. It comes after singer Daltrey, 81, and his bandmate Townshend, 79, announced news of a final tour of the US and Canada. Asked if a farewell tour in their home country could follow suit, Daltrey told a press conference in London: 'Let's see if we survive this one.' He added: 'Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the UK, because, for some reason or the other, the UK has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B. 'In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible.' He added: 'I don't want to say that there won't be (a UK farewell tour), but equally I'm not confident in saying there will be.' Guitarist and vocalist Townshend, said: 'The door is open to us. 'We could do a week at the O2, a couple of weeks, maybe, at the Albert Hall, there are all of kind of things we could do. 'But you know, we don't do consecutive shows. We like to do a show and take a break.' Daltrey, who had a growth removed from his vocal cords in 2009, said a throat specialist has told him he should have a 'day off' after every gig he performs. He said: 'I can't do consecutive shows. At the end of the tour I might be able to do two back to back. 'I've been ordered by my throat specialist, (who would) say, 'You have to have a day off after every gig, and then after every three gigs you have to have two days off, because otherwise you will wreck your voice and you will not be able to sing'.' The duo of Daltrey and Townshend will perform hits from across their six-decade career during The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour, named after the band's 1971 hit. The band formed in the 1960s with a line-up that consisted of lead singer Daltrey; guitarist and vocalist Townshend; drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978; and bass guitarist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. Last year, it was announced that Daltrey was stepping back from his role as curator of the Teenage Cancer Trust's Royal Albert Hall concerts, having launched the series in 2000, but he remains an honorary patron of the charity, with The Cure's Robert Smith taking over curation duties next year. The tour starts in Florida on August 16 2025, with further dates in cities including New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and Vancouver, before a final date in Las Vegas on September 28. Pre-sales will run from May 13 ahead of the general sale beginning on Friday May 16 at 10am. The Who, formed in 1964, are best known for the albums Who's Next, Tommy and Quadrophenia, with the latter two adapted into films in 1975 and 1979 respectively. The band went from performing club shows to headlining the Woodstock festival in the US and becoming the biggest box-office draw in the world. The band had 14 UK Top 10 singles and they were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990. In 2019, they released the album Who, marking Daltrey and Townshend's first collection of new material since their 2006 album Endless Wire.
North Wales Chronicle
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
The Who have no plans for UK farewell tour despite announcing final US gigs
It comes after singer Daltrey, 81, and his bandmate Townshend, 79, announced news of a final tour of the US and Canada. Asked if a farewell tour in their home country could follow suit, Daltrey told a press conference in London: 'Let's see if we survive this one.' The Song Is Over… The Who's Final North American tour! Don't miss out on early ticket access through The Wholigans Fan Club at before May 12th 🎟️ — The Who (@TheWho) May 8, 2025 He added: 'Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the UK, because, for some reason or the other, the UK has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B. 'In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible.' He added: 'I don't want to say that there won't be (a UK farewell tour), but equally I'm not confident in saying there will be.' Guitarist and vocalist Townshend, said: 'The door is open to us. 'We could do a week at the O2, a couple of weeks, maybe, at the Albert Hall, there are all of kind of things we could do. 'But you know, we don't do consecutive shows. We like to do a show and take a break.' Daltrey, who had a growth removed from his vocal cords in 2009, said a throat specialist has told him he should have a 'day off' after every gig he performs. He said: 'I can't do consecutive shows. At the end of the tour I might be able to do two back to back. 'I've been ordered by my throat specialist, (who would) say, 'You have to have a day off after every gig, and then after every three gigs you have to have two days off, because otherwise you will wreck your voice and you will not be able to sing'.' The duo of Daltrey and Townshend will perform hits from across their six-decade career during The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour, named after the band's 1971 hit. The band formed in the 1960s with a line-up that consisted of lead singer Daltrey; guitarist and vocalist Townshend; drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978; and bass guitarist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. Last year, it was announced that Daltrey was stepping back from his role as curator of the Teenage Cancer Trust's Royal Albert Hall concerts, having launched the series in 2000, but he remains an honorary patron of the charity, with The Cure's Robert Smith taking over curation duties next year. The tour starts in Florida on August 16 2025, with further dates in cities including New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and Vancouver, before a final date in Las Vegas on September 28. Pre-sales will run from May 13 ahead of the general sale beginning on Friday May 16 at 10am. The Who, formed in 1964, are best known for the albums Who's Next, Tommy and Quadrophenia, with the latter two adapted into films in 1975 and 1979 respectively. The band went from performing club shows to headlining the Woodstock festival in the US and becoming the biggest box-office draw in the world. The band had 14 UK Top 10 singles and they were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990. In 2019, they released the album Who, marking Daltrey and Townshend's first collection of new material since their 2006 album Endless Wire.
South Wales Guardian
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
The Who have no plans for UK farewell tour despite announcing final US gigs
It comes after singer Daltrey, 81, and his bandmate Townshend, 79, announced news of a final tour of the US and Canada. Asked if a farewell tour in their home country could follow suit, Daltrey told a press conference in London: 'Let's see if we survive this one.' The Song Is Over… The Who's Final North American tour! Don't miss out on early ticket access through The Wholigans Fan Club at before May 12th 🎟️ — The Who (@TheWho) May 8, 2025 He added: 'Touring America is a damn sight easier than touring the UK, because, for some reason or the other, the UK has decided to make it as difficult as possible to go from A to B. 'In America, you seem to want to make it as easy as possible.' He added: 'I don't want to say that there won't be (a UK farewell tour), but equally I'm not confident in saying there will be.' Guitarist and vocalist Townshend, said: 'The door is open to us. 'We could do a week at the O2, a couple of weeks, maybe, at the Albert Hall, there are all of kind of things we could do. 'But you know, we don't do consecutive shows. We like to do a show and take a break.' Daltrey, who had a growth removed from his vocal cords in 2009, said a throat specialist has told him he should have a 'day off' after every gig he performs. He said: 'I can't do consecutive shows. At the end of the tour I might be able to do two back to back. 'I've been ordered by my throat specialist, (who would) say, 'You have to have a day off after every gig, and then after every three gigs you have to have two days off, because otherwise you will wreck your voice and you will not be able to sing'.' The duo of Daltrey and Townshend will perform hits from across their six-decade career during The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour, named after the band's 1971 hit. The band formed in the 1960s with a line-up that consisted of lead singer Daltrey; guitarist and vocalist Townshend; drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978; and bass guitarist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. Last year, it was announced that Daltrey was stepping back from his role as curator of the Teenage Cancer Trust's Royal Albert Hall concerts, having launched the series in 2000, but he remains an honorary patron of the charity, with The Cure's Robert Smith taking over curation duties next year. The tour starts in Florida on August 16 2025, with further dates in cities including New York, Toronto, Los Angeles and Vancouver, before a final date in Las Vegas on September 28. Pre-sales will run from May 13 ahead of the general sale beginning on Friday May 16 at 10am. The Who, formed in 1964, are best known for the albums Who's Next, Tommy and Quadrophenia, with the latter two adapted into films in 1975 and 1979 respectively. The band went from performing club shows to headlining the Woodstock festival in the US and becoming the biggest box-office draw in the world. The band had 14 UK Top 10 singles and they were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990. In 2019, they released the album Who, marking Daltrey and Townshend's first collection of new material since their 2006 album Endless Wire.
