As The Pretenders wind down their UK tour, the band has warned fans who stand in the front row for “multiple nights” that they could be moved to make room for “local faces.”
In a social media statement, lead vocalist Chrissie Hynde wrote that it’s been a “real pleasure” to play in front of “fantastic audiences,” but explained the “whole point” of touring for the band is “playing to a different audience every night.”
“We look forward to seeing local faces. This is what makes it new for us every night,” Hynde wrote. “We appreciate those of you who follow us and buy tickets for multiple nights, so please don’t be offended if we request you to move out of the front row.”
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She continued, “All we are asking is that you give the local fans a chance. This is what keeps it new for us… especially after being on tour for so many months.” See the full statement below.
Some commenters appreciated the note for its spirit of giving more fans a chance to see The Pretenders up close, but many others saw it as Hynde being unappreciative of their most loyal supporters. Predictably, the latter group has been much louder.
Perhaps The Pretenders can adopt Billy Joel’s approach to the front row for their next tour. Instead of selling tickets for those seats, his team selects fans from the back and moves them up because they are “really happy to be there.”
The Pretenders’ UK run continues through November 1st. See the dates below and purchase last-minute tickets here.
The Pretenders 2024 Tour Dates:
10/17 – Gateshead, UK @ The Glasshouse
10/19 – Hull, UK @ Connexin Live
10/20 – Nottingham, UK @ Royal Concert Hall
10/22 – London, UK @ Palladium
10/23 – London, UK @ Palladium
10/24 – London, UK @ Palladium
10/26 – Ipswich, UK @ Regent Theatre
10/27 – Birmingham, UK @ Symphony Hall
10/28 – Manchester, UK @ Bridgewater Hall
10/30 – Liverpool, UK @ Philharmonic Hall
10/31 – York, UK @ Barbican Centre
11/01 – Sheffield, UK @ City Hall
