The Who fans wonder if US tour will go on as listeners say ticket prices are ‘too expensive’

Fans of legendary rock band The Who are wondering if some shows will be cancelled as ticket prices are “too expensive”.

The Roger Daltrey-fronted group will play what has been advertised as The Who’s final shows across the United States later this year. Though tickets are now on sale, most shows still have a large quantity of tickets remaining. Fans have since suggested they are not willing to spend so much on tickets to the Daltrey and Pete Townshend shows. A post to the r/TheWho subreddit yesterday (June 5) saw fans ask whether certain shows would be cancelled due to the low ticket sales. Those who had attended previous tours by The Who in the past say it is unlikely, but there may be a change to seating arrangements should the gig remain relatively unsold.

A fan asked: “Will they cancel the Seattle show?” Fans have since suggested the pricing is “egregious” and “too expensive”. One user wrote: “I go to lots of concerts in Seattle and the pricing for this show is the most egregious I’ve ever seen. So they can either dramatically revamp the pricing for this show and actually sell some tickets, play to an empty arena, or cancel altogether.”

Another added: “I can’t understand why anyone would pay decent money to watch what is on offer, and I fucking love The Who.” A third wrote: “The tickets are way too expensive.”

For those who have attended The Who gigs which lacked a crowd, it appears seat upgrades could be offered. One fan recalled: “Last tour, we bought upper-level corner seats during the Live Nation promo. We got to the show, and the ushers in the two-hundred level concourse asked us if we wanted to move down.

“They gave us four club seats. They did this for everyone in the upper level to make the arena look fuller. Wait until the day of the show and buy the cheapest ticket. You will have your choice of seats when you get there. They were not included in this year’s Live Nation promo, but I can see them doing some kind of special to boost sales.

Another fumed at The Who for serving up the same setlist tour after tour, and suggested the group would struggle to fill a sports stadium. They wrote: “What a joke to think a band with no new material, who play identical setlists every tour to the same fans, who only have 2 original members, who didn’t fill a suburban amphitheatre in Illinois that local bands play on the last 2 tours, could fill sports arenas.

“They always think they’re The Rolling Stones. But The Rolling Stones haven’t changed, only aged. They’re fun in interviews, on stage they’re still exciting. Mick Jagger sprints, Keith Richards hits his choppy off-chords (maybe to backing tapes, maybe not, but he’s into it). They’re touring a very strong new album.

“Last time I saw The Who Pete looked bored, nothing like the man who would dance like a loon around his area of the stage, kicking out his leg, waving his arms. Roger never did his jog-in-place.”

It comes as fans previously complained of being “outpriced” by the ticket prices. One fan fumed: “They’ve certainly outpriced us, with other big dogs also touring.” Another claimed: “Charging two to four times more than The Rolling Stones is batshit crazy. It really makes you scratch you’re head and wonder what the hell they were ever thinking with these prices.”

A third added: “I joined the fan club and was ready to buy a ticket at the presale. Saw the prices for a lower bowl seat and couldn’t bring myself to buy a seat. Will keep my eye out for a cheaper seat.” The cheapest tickets to The Who’s upcoming show would run a fan $87, or £65. It appears to be too steep for the most dedicated of listeners, who have suggested they will pick up tickets if the prices drop.