The Who’s Pete Townshend Reveals Post-Tour Creative Plans
Pete Townshend in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine - Rolling Stone / YouTube
The Who have launched what they insist is their final North American tour, titled The Song Is Over: The North American Farewell Tour. The trek began on August 16 in Sunrise, Florida, marking another milestone for the legendary rock band. Both Roger Daltrey, now 81, and Pete Townshend, 80, have stressed that this really is the end of their large-scale touring era, though fans have heard similar sentiments in the past.
For Townshend, the tour is both a celebration and a bittersweet experience. Known for being open about his lack of enthusiasm for touring, he admits to having mixed emotions about performing on the road at this stage of his life. While he acknowledges the loneliness that sometimes comes with touring, he also feels a deep sense of gratitude and pride in still being able to perform.
In a recent conversation with AARP, Townshend shed light on his creative plans after the farewell shows wrap up. From one-man performances to a backlog of more than 100 songs, the guitarist made it clear that while touring may be winding down, his artistic journey is far from over.
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On Why The Who Has Endured So Long
Townshend offered a candid perspective on why The Who has carried on for decades beyond the deaths of drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle. He explained that The Who has become more than just a band—it’s a brand and a duty to history. He and Daltrey feel a responsibility to keep the music alive, not just for fans, but for the legacy of their late bandmates’ families who still benefit from the band’s success.
That sense of duty, however, doesn’t diminish the art. Townshend emphasized that the true creative fulfillment still comes when the band performs. Every show becomes both a tribute and a celebration of their history, making the music feel alive and relevant even in 2025.
Daltrey’s unpredictable setlist choices also keep things fresh. Townshend noted how the singer often likes to throw in wild cards, and together they’ve rehearsed songs that aren’t always part of their standard rotation, keeping each concert unique for fans who may be seeing them for the last time.
Life After The Farewell Tour
While this tour is branded as a farewell, Townshend doesn’t plan to disappear from the stage entirely. He revealed that he intends to explore one-man shows, a chance to reconnect with audiences on a more personal level. These performances will give him space to experiment musically without the weight of a full-scale arena tour.
Townshend also shared that he and Daltrey will likely continue collaborating on special events and charity performances. Even if their working relationship has often been described as complex, both artists acknowledge that they represent different but essential parts of The Who’s legacy.
Though their social lives rarely intertwine, their professional bond remains strong. Townshend credited Daltrey as the driving force behind maintaining the band’s brand and direction, while he himself continues to fuel the creative engine through songwriting. Together, they plan to honor The Who’s history long after the last official tour date.
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Townshend’s Creative Future
Perhaps most exciting for fans, Townshend has confirmed that his songwriting days are far from over. He revealed that he has around 140 tracks in various stages of development, a staggering number that hints at a prolific new chapter for the rock legend.
He also revisited his multimedia project tied to his 2019 novel The Age of Anxiety, which he has been steadily building upon. Townshend said he has already written 26 songs for the project, which explores themes of addiction, recovery, and the struggles of artistry through the eyes of a fictional young musician.
More than just a creative outlet, Townshend sees the project as a way to start broader conversations about mental health and the artist’s role in society. He hopes it will encourage discussions about depression, self-obsession, and the sacrifices often required of those who live their lives in pursuit of art.
