Chrissie Hynde has caused widespread furor by revealing that concert-goers will be kicked out of the front row if they attend her band’s shows more than once.
The American singer, 73, has been on tour with her popular band The Pretenders and they all took to the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Wednesday night.
However, he revealed that die-hard fans could find themselves pulled from the front row during the concert if they have already seen the rock band perform live during the tour.
She took to Instagram just hours before the show to reveal that they wanted to give ‘local fans’ a chance to see them up close, rather than the same loyal international fans.
Chrissie, who performs with bandmates Martin Chambers, Nick Wilkinson, James Walbourne, Eric Heywood and Carwyn Ellis, told fans not to be “offended” if they are “asked” to move.
In a statement that was called “condescending,” he shared: “Hello everyone! First of all, thank you to all of you who have come to see our shows.
‘We are in the final stretch of this year’s tour and it has been a real pleasure. Fantastic cities and fantastic audiences. We had a great time playing for you.
‘One thing we feel obligated to explain: when we go on tour, the goal for the band is that we play to a different audience every night. That’s why we’re going on tour!
Chrissie Hynde (pictured in 2018) has caused widespread furor by revealing that concert-goers will be kicked out of the front row if they attend her band’s shows more than once.
In an Instagram post, he revealed that die-hard fans could find themselves pulled from the front row during the concert if they had already seen the rock band perform live during the tour.
‘So if we are in Edinburgh (like tonight), we expect to see local faces. This is what makes it new for us every night.
‘We appreciate those of you who follow us and purchase multi-night tickets, so please don’t be offended if we ask you to leave the front row.
‘The only thing we ask is that you give the local fans a chance. This is what keeps it new for us…especially after being on tour for so many months. See you later!’
However, the announcement divided fans with many insisting they thought the request was “disrespectful” considering people would have paid for tickets.
Others also questioned how the band would remember who had been sitting in the front row at previous concerts, as they shared their doubts about the statement.
One wrote: “It’s not funny but if I had seen you a couple of times on this tour and been asked to move I would have been very offended.” I love seeing you and hearing you play.
‘And if my eyesight isn’t brilliant, I really don’t want to be moved any further back because I wouldn’t be able to see you. It’s rude to do that to people. Anyway, how do you possibly remember everyone who enters the first few rows?
Another commented: ‘LOL, if the locals wanted to be in front, maybe they would have waited as long as your loyal fans who follow the tour/buy pre-sale tickets/enjoy your art. Imagine being told as a fan “I’m just not interested in you anymore.”
Chrissie (pictured in 2017), who performs with bandmates Martin Chambers, Nick Wilkinson, James Walbourne, Eric Heywood and Carwyn Ellis, told fans not to be “offended” if they are “asked” to move .
A third said: “I think this is stupid… I live half in France in a dead city and half in Germany so I have to travel for concerts… Paris is 4 hours away right ? Am I local then?
A fourth fumed: ‘Oh wow… that’s so disrespectful! I can’t believe I just read this on your profile… buying concert tickets is for some of us something really special and increasingly difficult. You shouldn’t treat your fans this way. Unfollow.’
Another added: ‘Wait. ”Front row”: Are people asked to leave the seats they reserved?
However, other fans came to the band’s defense and insisted that they understood why they wanted to give other people the opportunity to see them from the best places.
One argued: ‘I think some are taking this too personally. If the band is going to always see the same faces night after night, they might as well play 40 shows in one place.
‘Chrissie knows there are legions of us who have loved the band since the opening chords of Precious. She knows it and I’m sure she appreciates it. They just want to change it.’
Another wrote: ‘Sharing is caring…’ As someone who travels from Vienna to the UK to see a show, I appreciate this. Health.’
A third wrote: “I think the point is don’t be a selfish prick.” If you’ve seen the band a few times, get out of the way… and let the people who are there to see a show.”
However, the announcement divided fans with many insisting they thought the request was “disrespectful” considering people would have paid for tickets (Chrissie is pictured in 2023).
The Pretenders are currently touring the UK on their 2024 tour and will be performing in Gateshead on Thursday night.
They will then travel to Hull and Nottingham before taking to the stage at the London Palladium for three shows from October 22-24.
The rockers, who are supported by The Picturebooks, will close their tour at Sheffield Town Hall on November 1.
The band is arguably best known for their smash hits Brass In Pocket, Back on the Chain Gang, I’ll Stand by You and Don’t Get Me Wrong.
Formed in 1978, the original line-up consisted of Chrissie, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon and Martin Chambers.