The Who: Last News

Roger Daltrey has said the “essence” of music is being lost due to the increasing use of technology.During a launch event for the new book Words Of Love – which celebrates the life of Buddy Holly – the frontman of The Who shared his thoughts on the current state of the industry.Daltrey, who participated in the Q&A alongside Yungblud and The Rolling Stones‘ Ronnie Wood (who created the Words Of Love cover art), expressed his concerns over the growing reliance on tech, such as AI, in creating music.“We were throwing shit at the wall and some of it stuck,” the legendary musician explained (via The Standard). “There’s something about the technology… I feel personally, we’re losing the essence of the heartbeat.“Maybe it’s because I’m older, but there’s not much new music.”Yungblud commented: “I think rock music has been so convoluted because we got to be forced and twisted for a mainstream audience to turn the guitar down.“Modern music’s been in a strange place, but it’s exciting because it’s really, I feel it’s very democratic again.”He went on: “For the past four years a lot of majors [labels] have been able to control what we’ve been placed in front of us, but we know apps like TikTok, Instagram and everything like that… I really find that people can provide authenticity again directly.“If you have a story to tell, you can tell it and tell it to the world.

Ronnie Wood has said the “essence” of music is being lost due to the increasing use of technology.During a launch event for the new book Words Of Love – which celebrates the life of Buddy Holly, and whose cover artwork was created by Wood – the Rolling Stones guitarist shared his thoughts on the current state of the industry.Wood, who participated in the Q&A alongside Yungblud and The Who‘s Roger Daltrey, told those in attendance about his concerns over the growing reliance on tech, such as AI, in creating music.“We were throwing shit at the wall and some of it stuck,” the legendary musician explained (via The Standard). “There’s something about the technology… I feel personally, we’re losing the essence of the heartbeat.“Maybe it’s because I’m older, but there’s not much new music.”Yungblud commented: “I think rock music has been so convoluted because we got to be forced and twisted for a mainstream audience to turn the guitar down.“Modern music’s been in a strange place, but it’s exciting because it’s really, I feel it’s very democratic again.”He went on: “For the past four years a lot of majors [labels] have been able to control what we’ve been placed in front of us, but we know apps like TikTok, Instagram and everything like that… I really find that people can provide authenticity again directly.“If you have a story to tell, you can tell it and tell it to the world.

per Sky News.“Fortunately, I still have my voice,” he quipped, “because then I’ll have a full Tommy.”Tommy is the name of the main character from The Who’s 1969 album-turned-rock opera of the same name. He is not only deaf and blind but also mute.This wasn’t the first time Daltrey revealed he’s going “very, very deaf,” blaming his condition as the result of his more than 60-year career as a rock and roll singer.“Take your f–king earplugs with you to the gigs,” he told the crowd during another concert in Las Vegas in 2018, according to TMZ.Daltrey has also discussed aging and death in more recent interviews, including one with The Times in January 2024.“My dreams came true so, listen, I’m ready to go at any time,” he told the outlet at the time.

The Who performed ‘This Song Is Over’ live for the first time at the 2025 edition of the Teenage Cancer Trust gig series. Check out footage from the set below.The gig took place last night (March 30) at the Royal Albert Hall in London, as the last of the scheduled gigs planned for this year’s concert series.The event kicked off last week with a show from Sex Pistols and Frank Carter, and was followed up with a night of comedy starring Micky Flanagan, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, a set from James Arthur, a line-up curated by the founder of the East London label Erased Tapes and a show from The Corrs.Roger Daltrey and co.

The Who’s Roger Daltrey has told a live audience that he has been informed that he is “going blind”.The rock legends were playing the first of two shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Thursday (March 27) for the Teenage Cancer Trust when the frontman opened up about his condition.“The problem with this job is that you go deaf,” he said from the stage. “And now I’ve been told that I am going blind.”Referencing the band’s 1969 rock opera title character, he added: “Thank God I’ve still got my voice.

The Who performed the first of their two shows at the 2025 edition of the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series, and broke out their first performance of ‘Love Ain’t For Keepin” in over two decades. Check out footage below.This year’s edition of the charity gigs kicked off earlier this week and saw the series return to the usual site of Royal Albert Hall.

NME about bringing experimental music to the Royal Albert Hall for the 2025 edition of the Teenager Cancer Trust gigs.The iconic independent music label is set to take over the prestigious venue this weekend (Saturday March 29) as part of this year’s run of the Teenager Cancer Trust live shows.It follows on from an already packed run of gigs across this week – including performances from Sex Pistols and Frank Carter, James Arthur, The Who and The Corrs – and sees profits made from the dates donated to the charity.As previously confirmed, the Saturday edition has been curated by the founder of the East London label, Robert Haths (aka Ghostworker), and includes appearances from Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit.Speaking to NME, Raths explained why these experimental yet very different artists were selected.“We’re punk too,” he said. “I of course love the Sex Pistols and The Who – who doesn’t? – but it’s important to nurture the next generation of players and let them have a chance to offer their music in front of a beautiful new audience.”Raths went on to explain why each individual act stood out to him.

The Cure’s Robert Smith has been announced as the curator for the 2025 edition of the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) gig series.The iconic frontman has been a long supporter of the charity series, which is held at Royal Albert Hall, having previously performed two classic shows in 2014 and in 2006. He was also heavily involved in the TCT’s UNSEEN campaign during lockdown – helping the charity raise funds for those struggling during that period.It won’t be his first time taking the reins a live music event either, as he has also curated the line-up for the 2018 edition of Meltdown Festival, which was held at the Southbank Centre and saw performances from Mogwai, The Psychedelic Furs, The Church and Nine Inch Nails.He will personally curate the concerts in 2026, following the series founder and The Who icon Roger Daltrey stepping back.

Despicable Me may have launched the Minions upon the world, but Illumination achieved its biggest hit with the franchise’s first spin-off.Directed by Kyla Balda and Pierre Coffin, who also voices the titular characters, Minions charts the origins of the clumsy creatures and their pursuit of a new master in 1968.Along with Coffin, the film’s voice cast includes Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders and Geoffrey Rush.Ten years later, Minions is still the eighth highest-grossing animated film of all time, taking $1.15billion at the box office. It is the highest-grossing film in the Despicable Me franchise, and Illumination’s second most successful film behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie.The film’s score is by Heitor Pereira, who has provided the soundtrack to every Despicable Me film.

Severance is back with a bang, and plenty of songs, in season two.Created by Dan Erickson and executive produced by Ben Stiller, the series, set within the fictional Lumon corporation, follows employee Mark Scout (Adam Scott) who agrees to a “severance” procedure where his work and personal life memories are split – so he has no recollection of his “outie” life while working at Lumon and vice versa.Other cast members include Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, John Turturro, Christopher Walken and Patricia Arquette. Sarah Bock, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and Gwendoline Christie are among the new cast additions for season two.The show’s first season received 14 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.

Roger Daltrey has added two huge outdoor gigs to his 2025 ‘Alive And Kicking And Having Fun’ UK tour. Check out the details below.The announcement comes as the legendary soloist and former Who frontman confirmed earlier this year that he would be hitting the road again for a solo run of shows in 2025.Now, two new shows have been confirmed for next summer, and each will see him backed by a nine-piece band and playing the hits from across his solo discography and time with The Who.The first of the new shows will be held in Halifax on Wednesday July 30, and comes as part of the TK Maxx presents Live at the Piece Hall series.

Pete Townshend has revealed that he has “suicidal” thoughts when he wakes up every morning.The rock legend and founding member of The Who has been open about his mental health struggles for a long time, and as he discussed in a new interview with The Sunday Times, his experience with what he describes as “chemical depression” is ongoing.“When I first wake up I’m suicidal, actually suicidal,” he said.He spoke about choosing to wake up between 2am and 5am each day to help with his mindset, explaining: “I’m still in the state that I was the day before.”He said he has “a couple of cups of tea” and “two digestive biscuits”, which he says is “apparently equal to 17 sugar lumps, and I feel happy”.Townshend sought help from a professional therapist as a younger man, but did not find it to be useful for him, but he does find value in keeping journals. “If I start my journals before I have my cup of tea, I’ll paint a very bleak picture of my life.

The Who and The Kinks, has died aged 87.Per Sky News, songwriter and archivist Alec Palao said he had “died peacefully in his sleep” at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday (November 13) “from complications due to a stroke”.Talmy, who took to sharing tales of “swinging London” with fans on Facebook, also prepared a written statement before his death that was shared posthumously: “Preferably [read] with ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘My Generation’, ‘Friday On My Mind’ or your choice of favourite ST production cranked in the background.”“Hi to all, and many thanks to all of you who have been reading my rock stories for all this time, it has been greatly appreciated,” it read. “Please note, that if you’re reading this now, this is my final vignette, as I am no longer residing on this plane of existence, and have “moved on”, to wherever that may be.“I’d like to think there is something beyond where I was to where I am now, assuming that the millions of suppositions as to what is next, are accurate.

The Who‘s Pete Townshend thinks “somebody needs to occasionally slap” producer Rick Rubin over his polarising ideas about creativity.Rubin, who has previously worked with the likes of Adele, The Strokes and Red Hot Chili Peppers, published a best-selling book detailing his ideas about creativity called The Creative Act: A Way Of Being last year. Notably, he suggested that art is only ‘pure’ if made for the artist themself and not for an audience.In an appearance on Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt’s Rockonteurs podcast, a discussion about creativity led Townshend to criticise Rubin’s philosophy, or more specifically the idea of having any sort of doctrine around the process of making art.“You see a lot of stuff on YouTube and Instagram, people nagging you about the way that you have to be creative,” Townshend began. “Somebody needs to occasionally slap Rick Rubin, because, one minute he’s telling us that we need to do whatever we like, and then, on the other hand, he’s telling us that we mustn’t do this, and we mustn’t do that.”“The book of rules for me is… I’ve dabbled with all of those methods.

The Who‘s Roger Daltrey‘s has announced plans for a UK solo tour next year.The frontman will be hitting the road for a series of dates kicking off at the Brighton Dome on April 20.Further stops will call at London’s Palladium the following night (April 21) before moving on to Southend-On-Sea, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and finally wrapping up at Manchester Bridgewater Hall on May 4.Tickets for the shows go on sale this Friday (November 15) at 10am GMT and can be purchased here.Daltrey and his nine-piece band will perform a mix of acoustic and semi-acoustic performances of The Who classics, solo hits and deep cuts, followed by a Q&A session with fans. You can view the full list of dates below.April 202520 – Brighton Dome21 – London The Palladium23 – Southend-on-Sea The Cliffs Pavilion24 – University of Wolverhampton26 – Dundee Caird Hall28 – Glasgow SEC Armadillo30 – Edinburgh The Usher HallMay 20251 – Gateshead The Glasshouse – Sage 14 – Manchester Bridgewater HallHe said of the tour: “Here we go again! After touring the US with this band of phenomenal musicians, I can’t wait to get back on the road in the UK with these shows.“It’s a joy to be on stage performing – up close and personal for the audience, chatting with them and playing familiar songs in an unfamiliar way.”Elsewhere, The Who will “definitely” return in 2025, Pete Townshend recently confirmed.

The Who‘s Pete Townshend has admitted that he found Roger Daltrey‘s stance on Brexit “very problematic”.Following the referendum in 2016, Daltrey has always taken a very pro-Brexit view, going as far to say that it won’t affect British musicians in 2019.When asked whether he thought Brexit would be “bad for British rock music” at the time he said: “No. What’s it got to do with the rock business?” before an interviewer replied: “How are you going to tour in Europe?”“Oh dear.

The Who‘s Roger Daltrey has criticised the recently announced UK government Budget, calling it a “kick in the balls” to the charity sector.Last Wednesday (October 30) Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed the UK autumn budget in a speech.One component of the Budget is to raise £40 billion through taxes is an increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, rising from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent starting in April 2025. The threshold at which employers start paying the tax on each employee’s salary will also decrease from £9,100 per year to £5,000.For over 20 years, Daltrey served as a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust and curated annual concerts at the Royal Albert Hall for the charity until 2024.

Pete Townshend has shared his thoughts on the huge Oasis reunion – and he isn’t too impressed.The guitarist for The Who was asked what he thought about the Britpop band reforming for a huge comeback tour in 2025 during a recent interview with The Standard.“Well, I’m disappointed,” Townshend responded, before being pressed on whether he had failed to secure a ticket.“No, because I really like their solo albums,” he replied.Liam Gallagher has released three solo records with ‘As You Were’ (2017), ‘Why Me? Why Not.’ (2019) and ‘C’mon You Know’ (2022). Noel has made four records with his High Flying Birds, the latest being last year’s ‘Council Skies’.LG opened for The Who on tour in 2019.

The Who will “definitely” return in 2025, according to Pete Townshend – see what else the guitarist had to say below.Townshend spoke to The Standard recently, where he revealed that The Who will “do something next year”. Though he never explicitly shared what the band’s plans entail, his comments suggest that the band could be hitting the road sometime in 2025.He revealed that he had “met with Roger [Daltrey] for lunch a couple of weeks ago,” and that they’re in “good form”.

The Who – find out all the details below.Today (October 3), the Royal Mail announced that 12 special stamps are being issued in honour of The Who’s formation six decades ago. Of these 12 stamps, eight will feature some of the band’s most iconic album covers, while the remaining four stamps are of promotional photos or live performance images.The eight albums featured on the stamps are 1965’s ‘My Generation’, 1969’s ‘Tommy’, 1971’s ‘Who’s Next’, 1973’s ‘Quadrophenia’, 1978’s ‘Who Are You’, 1981’s ‘Face Dances’, 2006’s ‘Endless Wire’ and finally, 2019’s ‘WHO’.Of the four remaining stamps, two will be images of the band performing live, taken at the Marquee Club in London in 1967 and at the Kings Hall, Belle Vue in Manchester in 1973.The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order from today (October 3) at www.royalmail.com/thewho and by telephone on 03457 641641.

The Who‘s Pete Townshend has revealed that he admires Taylor Swift.The guitarist and co-founder of The Who was discussing the art of songwriting with the What It Takes podcast earlier this summer.“I’m a song dreamer in a sense,” he told the podcast. “So I love the great songwriters of my father’s era, Gershwin and so on. And also the great songwriters of today, past The Beatles and all the rest of them to Taylor Swift.”Townshend went on to praise Swift, saying: “I love what she does, too.