Arts & Entertainment

The Who Announces 50th Anniversary Tour Starting in Tampa

The Who announced Friday the band's 50th anniversary North America tour will kick off April 15, 2015 at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

The Who will soon be back on the road, kicking off the band’s upcoming 50th anniversary North America tour at Amalie Arena in Tampa April 15, 2015.

“Trying to stay young,” said guitarist Pete Townshend in a news release announcing The Who Hits 50! North American tour. “Not wearing socks. Growing a great big Woodcutter’s beard. Might even wear a check shirt on stage and get a tattoo of a Union Jack. Always a fashion victim. But under no illusions. We are what we are, and extremely good at it, but we’re lucky to be alive and still touring.”

The tour will feature exclusive VIP packages including reserved tickets for premium seats, special access to THE WHO’S VIP pre-show sound check, pre-show VIP parties, autographed limited edition memorabilia and more.

Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. Details on tickets and VIP packages can be found at www.thewho.com.

The band also plans to release an accompanying compilation album of the same name Oct. 27 featuring a set list of what Townshend calls “hits, picks, mixes and misses” as well as a brand new track, “Be Lucky.”

Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“From the band’s first hit single ‘I Can’t Explain’ to pioneering the rock opera with Tommy, The Who is one of the most influential and storied bands of our time,” Jennifer Breithaupt, Citi’s senior VP of Entertainment Marketing, said in a statement. “This will be one of the most anticipated tours of 2015 and we are delighted to be able to offer Citi cardmembers early access to see this legendary band perform.”

Image: Courtesy Media Alert

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.