Is the Who Still Doing Concerts? Your Guide to Catching a Live Show

Planning to see The Who in concert? Here’s what you need to know right off the bat: as of May 2025, The Who are still performing, but their shows are fewer and farther between. They’re not doing massive world tours, but you’ll spot them at select festivals, big city arenas, and the occasional once-in-a-lifetime venue. Don’t count on a concert in every town, but if you’re willing to travel a bit, it’s totally doable to catch Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend on stage.

If you want any shot at grabbing good seats, keep your eyes on official channels like The Who’s own website, Ticketmaster, and the social media pages of the cities where they play. Resale prices can skyrocket, especially for nostalgia-heavy acts like this. Signing up for fan newsletters often gets you early access to ticket drops, which can save both money and stress.

• Are The Who Touring in 2025?
• Concert Experience: What to Expect
• Finding and Buying Tickets
• Tips for Making the Most of the Night

Are The Who Touring in 2025?

The short answer? Yes, The Who are still hitting the road in 2025, although they’re not blasting through cities like they did during their classic years. This year, their schedule is noticeably lighter. Instead of a big, exhausting world tour, they’re choosing a handful of major dates—mainly big cities in the U.S. and a couple of high-profile summer festivals in the UK.

The official band website lists stops in places like New York, Chicago, and London. They’ve also announced a couple of one-off shows in Los Angeles and Toronto. So, while you won’t find them playing small towns or doing back-to-back nights in every state, their presence is definitely not just a rumor.

For anyone worried about health or age catching up with band members, here’s the reality: Roger Daltrey just turned 81 this year, and Pete Townshend celebrated his 80th birthday. They’ve both talked in recent interviews about how they’re choosing their appearances carefully—to fit their energy and make every show count. Daltrey even joked that they now prefer venues with comfy backstage sofas. Their age means they space out gigs to rest between shows, so expect some long breaks on the calendar. But you’re not getting a half-hearted performance; they’re still all about delivering on stage.

It’s smart to get updates right from The Who’s social media or email list. Sometimes, they pop up at surprise gigs or join other acts for short appearances. If you want to catch them live this year, planning ahead is key. Check the tour stops early and be ready to move—you might have to travel, but seeing a The Who concert in 2025 is still something you can put on your bucket list with confidence.

Concert Experience: What to Expect

So, what’s it actually like seeing The Who live in 2025? First off, you’re signing up for more than just a trip down memory lane. The sound is still huge—Pete Townshend’s windmill guitar moves have survived almost everything, and Roger Daltrey can still belt out the big notes, even if it’s with a little more grit. You’ll hear all the staples: “Baba O’Riley,” “Pinball Wizard,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” show up every night. But don’t rule out a few deep cuts or acoustic twists, since they like to keep fans on their toes.

The current live setup usually brings extra musicians—a full backing band fills out the sound, and sometimes there’s even a small orchestra on the bill, especially at the bigger stops. The crowd is a mix of old-school fans who’ve followed them for years and a new wave of younger listeners (yep, TikTok really brought “Baba O’Riley” back into playlists).

No mosh pits here—these crowds tend to be more laid-back, but the energy stays high. It’s loud (bring earplugs if you’re sensitive) and the visuals are sharp, with huge screens for a better view even if you’re halfway back in the arena. Shows range from about two to two and a half hours, depending on the setlist and how much Pete wants to talk between songs.

Getting your hands on official merch? Expect everything from classic logo tees to high-end posters. If you’re after rare goodies, the merch lines start early—sometimes before the gates even open. Food and drink options are typical arena fare; best to eat nearby beforehand, especially with kids in tow.

• Plan your parking early—lots fill up quickly and rideshares get swamped right after the show.
• Don’t stress about standing the whole time; while some fans are up for every song, plenty will sit and soak it in.
• Check the venue’s bag policy before you go. Lots have strict size limits now.

If you’ve never seen a legendary act before, The Who still know exactly how to work a crowd, even in 2025. Go for the The Who concerts experience and leave with a few fresh stories of your own.

Finding and Buying Tickets

If you want to see The Who in 2025, grabbing tickets isn’t as simple as it used to be. The band’s recent shows sell out fast, especially in big cities or at famous venues. The The Who concerts pull crowds of all ages, so don’t wait for prices to drop last-minute—they usually go up instead.

First stop? The Who’s official website and official ticket vendors like Ticketmaster or AXS. Most shows announce presale dates weeks before general sales open. You can sign up for the mailing list on their site to get presale codes. If you’re on social media, follow The Who’s accounts and those of the venues—they post updates about new dates and surprise releases.

"The best strategy in today’s market is to buy tickets during the first presale window, if possible. That’s when prices are lowest and availability is highest." – Emma Roberts, Rolling Stone ticket analyst

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Sign up for The Who’s email newsletter and local venues’ alerts
• Mark the calendar for presale and general sale times—log in early
• Only buy from trusted sites or the box office to avoid scams
• Consider using payment plans if the price tag is high (some ticket sellers offer this)
• If resale is your only option, use big names like StubHub—but be ready for markups

For 2025, ticket prices look like this so far:

Expect the best seats (front rows, VIP) to go for two or three times the average price above. Most fans end up grabbing tickets in the mid-range sections, which give a solid view and sound without the premium cost.

If you get stuck in the online queue, don’t refresh the page—it could kick you back to the end. Have your payment info ready, and use autofill if you can. Tickets are often limited to four or six per buyer, so if you’re going as a group, make sure everyone tries for tickets at the same time.

Once you’ve secured your spot, triple-check the email confirmation and look out for ticket release dates. Some are mobile-only, so make sure your phone’s charged and an app account is set up before show day.

Tips for Making the Most of the Night

If you scored tickets to see The Who, you want the experience to rock—literally! Even longtime concertgoers say The Who's crowd energy and sound system are off the charts, but there are a few things you can do to keep the night smooth and, honestly, unforgettable.

• Arrive early. Doors usually open 60–90 minutes before showtime, and lines can get wild. Getting in sooner means better merch selection, shorter bathroom lines, and time to find your spot (seats or standing, it matters!). At their Madison Square Garden gig in March 2025, fans who showed up 30 minutes before start time honestly missed out on all of that.
• Packing ear protection is not just for kids or folks with sensitive ears—the band's sound peaks hit over 110 decibels at some shows! (That’s the same as a chainsaw, by the way.)
• Don't stress about dressing up. Most fans show up in jeans, vintage band tees, or whatever’s comfy for three hours on your feet. Leave giant bags at home—arenas started checking strict bag sizes after 2023.
• Download your tickets to your phone wallet in advance. Wi-Fi inside venues can be spotty. No one wants a panic attack at the gate because an app won't load.
• For an Instagram-worthy shot, the sweet spot is often halfway between the soundboard and stage. Every venue’s a little different, but this trick works at most arenas.

It’s also smart to check out the setlist from previous shows online.

As Pete Townshend told Rolling Stone in February, “We play the classics, but every tour we slip in a few surprises. Expect the unexpected!”

And here’s one last pointer: Bring patience and good vibes, because the crowds are a mix of older diehards, young fans, and everything between. You never know who you’ll end up next to, and swapping stories or singing along to The Who concerts classics is half the fun.