Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend announced their 2025 The Song Is Over North American Farewell Tour this week and Confirmed they’ll do the same on their home soil
Legendary rock band The Who, comprising founding members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, have announced their final North American tour, titled “The Song Is Over.” This farewell tour is set to commence on August 16, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida, and will traverse major cities across the United States and Canada, concluding on September 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada .
A Farewell to North America
The tour’s title, “The Song Is Over,” is a nod to The Who’s 1971 track from their album “Who’s Next,” symbolizing the band’s intent to bid adieu to their North American fans . The itinerary includes performances in iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and the Budweiser Stage in Toronto .
During a press conference at London’s Iconic Images Gallery, Townshend and Daltrey expressed their gratitude to fans and reflected on their six-decade-long journey. Townshend remarked, “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” .
Uncertainty Surrounding UK and European Dates
While the North American tour is confirmed, the possibility of UK and European dates remains uncertain. When questioned about extending the farewell tour to their home country, Townshend responded, “I don’t want to say it won’t happen, but equally I’m not confident in saying that there will be” .
Daltrey added, “Let’s see if we survive this one,” highlighting the challenges of touring in the UK compared to North America. He noted, “Touring America is a damn site easier than touring the UK. For some reason, the UK has made it as difficult as possible to go from A to B
Health Considerations and Touring Challenges
Both Daltrey and Townshend, now in their 80s, acknowledged the physical demands of touring. Daltrey mentioned his health challenges, including vision and hearing loss, and emphasized the need for rest between performances. He stated, “I can’t do consecutive shows. In the middle of a tour, I might be able to do two back to back, but I’ve been ordered by my throat and voice specialist who said I had to have a day off after every gig, and after every two gigs I need to have three days off” .
Townshend echoed these sentiments, expressing concerns about the logistics and insurance issues that have previously affected UK tours. He remarked, “We played a lot of open air gigs, but we had an insurance problem, which meant we couldn’t play some of the more classic places that one plays on a UK tour”
Looking Ahead
As The Who prepare to take their final bow in North America, fans across the continent have one last opportunity to experience the legendary energy and music of the band. This farewell tour not only celebrates their illustrious past but also serves as a heartfelt thank you to the generations of fans who have supported them throughout their remarkable journey.
