The Pop Corporation

Y’know, it is nice to hear someone who has been there and done it, say that they’re not bothered by a lot of the trappings that comes with being a big ticket road dog. Chrissie Hynde and her Pretenders have forged a very successful career for decades now, so it’s not like she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

Speaking about arena shows, she has stuff to say and sincerely, it’s great to hear someone in her position speak as candidly as she is without trying to belittle anyone else.

After a show in the States, she was asked why her group don’t play big arenas. Now, of course, The Pretenders have filled out big arenas and all that, but Hynde said that even if they were a consistent, bankable arena group, they simply wouldn’t do them, because they prefer the clubs and theatres.

“Over these past years, people often ask why we aren’t playing in bigger venues i e. arenas? The simple answer is: Clubs and theatres are better venues for the audience and for the band,” she wrote. “Personally, I have never stayed for a three hour show, and I like to see the band on stage rather than on screens if I’m in the audience. And if I’m on stage, I like to see every audience member right up to the back of the balcony.”

“So yes, we could be playing bigger places, making more money, and in some people’s eyes, garnering more prestige…… but we really don’t give a shit about that stuff. We have loved supporting Stevie Nicks, Phil Collins, Guns N Roses, and now the Foo Fighters in huge venues, but for our own shows we like to keep it reined in.”

With that in mind, we are going to share which venues you can see the group in, because if they’re keeping it intimate(ish), then you might have a swell time! They’ve got the hits to back it up, like.

The Pretenders 2024 UK tour dates are: 

OCTOBER
11 – BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
12 – BRISTOL Beacon
13 – OXFORD New Theatre
16 – EDINBURGH Usher Hall
17 – GATESHEAD Glasshouse
19 – HULL Connexin Live
20 – NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
22 – LONDON Palladium
23 – LONDON Palladium
24 – LONDON Palladium
26 – IPSWICH Regent Theatre
27 – BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
28 – MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall
30 – LIVERPOOL Philharmonic
31 – YORK Barbican

NOVEMBER
1 – SHEFFIELD, City Hall