The Who’s Roger Daltrey is “sick” of fans looking up setlists ahead of his live shows.
The 80-year-old musician is due to kick off his solo, semi-acoustic North American tour on Wednesday (12.06.24), but he has deliberately stayed quiet about which songs he will perform, because he “can’t stand it” when fans know the tunes he is about to play live.
He told Billboard: “I’m not gonna talk about songs.
“Too many people reveal songs. There’s no surprises left with concerts these days, because everybody wants to see the setlist.
“I’m sick of it. The internet’s ruined the live shows for me. Who wants to know what’s coming next? People forget about surprises. I can’t stand it.”
However, Roger has let slip he will play The Who’s ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, but he isn’t planning to perform the tune’s iconic scream, because it has been “brutal” on his vocal cords for the past 55 years.
He added: “I’m not gonna do the scream. I’m gonna get the audience to do the scream.
“I’ve done that scream for 55 years, and I’ve had enough of it.
“I don’t even want to try it now; it’s brutal on the vocal cords.
“They can do the scream, and I’ll do everything else.
“I’m more into singing these days. At the age of 80, I think I deserve to be.”
Roger’s latest comments come after he recently appeared to rule out a The Who avatar show.
Despite Pete Townshend insisting he would love for the band to feature in a digital concert residency, similar to Abba Voyage in London, Roger isn’t as keen.
He quipped to Ultimate Classic Rock magazine: “What, we’re going to go out and do ABBA covers? I don’t think so. I’d look awful in a mini dress!”
Roger went on: “I’ve never thought about it. I wouldn’t want to go and see it.”
Pete recently told The New York Times: “It feels to me like there’s one thing The Who can do, and that’s a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die. I don’t get much of a buzz from performing with The Who. If I’m really honest, I’ve been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated.
“The Who isn’t Daltrey and Townshend onstage at 80, pretending to be young. It’s the four of us in 1964, when we were 18 or 19. If you want to see The Who myth, wait for the avatar show. It would be good!”
