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Pete Townshend says an avatar version of The Who would be “brilliant”, but doesn’t think Roger Daltrey agrees
Pete Townshend says he would welcome an avatar show featuring The Who, describing the idea as “brilliant”, but doubts it will happen. He believes Roger Daltrey may not be interested, and says the two would need to work together for a show billed as The Who.
Townshend pointed to ABBA’s Voyage and Kiss’s plans for a digital afterlife as examples of the technology’s potential. Daltrey is currently touring solo with musicians including an accordion player, violinist and pipes player, and Townshend praised his reinterpretations of Who songs. The band retired from touring in 2025, though Townshend has said they are still looking for a special project together.
In short
- Townshend likes the idea of a digital Who show.
- He doubts Daltrey wants to play at the Sphere.
- The pair may still pursue a special project.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
An avatar show could let The Who’s music and stage presence reach audiences without the physical demands of touring, while creating a distinctive project that honours the band’s legacy. Townshend’s enthusiasm, alongside examples such as ABBA Voyage, suggests the technology could offer a compelling new way to experience the music if both members shaped it together.
The case against
A digital show may not capture what audiences value most in The Who: the musicians’ live interaction and the character of a real performance. Daltrey’s solo reinterpretations show there are other ways to keep the songs alive, and a project billed as The Who would need both members’ genuine agreement to feel authentic.
Explained simply
The Who are a British rock band formed in the 1960s, with Pete Townshend as guitarist and songwriter and Roger Daltrey as singer. Their songs and live performances made them one of the best-known British bands of their generation.
An avatar show uses digital versions of performers on stage, allowing a band’s music and image to be presented without the musicians playing live in person. ABBA’s Voyage show is a prominent example, while other acts have explored similar projects.
Townshend and Daltrey are both central to The Who’s identity, so a show presented under the band’s name would depend on their cooperation. The idea matters because digital performances offer established bands another way to present their music after touring.