Townshend plans solo shows and new album after The Who farewell

Pete Townshend has laid out concrete plans for a new chapter in his career once The Who’s current farewell tour concludes. The guitarist says he will press ahead with solo performances and finish work on his long-gestating album The Age of Anxiety, while continuing to perform with The Who on charity projects or special collaborations when called upon. The Who’s North American run, billed as The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour, is scheduled to wrap on September 28 in Las Vegas, after a 16-date itinerary. Townshend emphasized that the finish line for live shows with The Who does not mean the end of his own stage career or creative production.

Townshend, who is 80, described a prolific period ahead, noting he has around 140 songs in various stages of development and 26 tracks specifically tied to The Age of Anxiety, a project rooted in his 2019 novel of the same name. He explained that the work is not strictly autobiographical, but it draws on his own experiences with mental health challenges, addiction and recovery. He said the character at the center of The Age of Anxiety is a relatable, youngish musician whose journey prompts a broader conversation about depression and...