Chrissie Hynde has explained the reasons why she and The Pretenders don’t play arenas, even though they could, and prefers to stick to shows in clubs and theatres.
After playing a show in Milwaukee, Hynde revealed in an Instagram post that the band are frequently asked why they don’t play bigger venues and went on to detail why.
“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.
She continued: “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.”
Last week, The Pretenders added a handful of new dates to their 2024 UK tour which is set to kick off later this autumn.
The new dates will see Chrissie Hynde and co perform at Liverpool’s Philharmonic on October 30, York’s Barbican on October 31 and Sheffield’s City Hall on November 1. Tickets for the new dates will go on general sale this Friday (July 26) at 10am local time. Visit here to purchase tickets and check out a full list of tour dates below.
The additional gigs follow the previously announced run of headline dates that were supposed to occur back in in February and March but were moved to later in the year following Hynde suffering a knee injury.
They will now take place throughout October, with existing tickets remaining valid for the rescheduled gigs. Any customers who cannot attend the revised dates can contact their point of purchase for a refund.
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