Rock legend kicks fans out of front row at concerts: ‘Way over the line’

A rock legend is irking fans after warning them that they may be kicked out of the front row.
The Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde has gone viral with a social media post about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group’s current tour. Hynde said the band may move concertgoers out of the front row if they bought tickets for multiple shows so local fans can get “a chance.”
“First of all, thank you to everyone who’s come to see our shows. We’re in the homestretch of this year’s tour and it’s been a real pleasure,” Hynde wrote. “One thing we feel obliged to explain: When we go on tour, the whole point of it for the band is that we are playing to a different audience every night. That’s why we go on tour! … We appreciate those of you who follow us and buy tickets for multiple nights, so please don’t be offended if we request you to move out of the front row.All we are asking 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.”
Hynde did not elaborate on how fans would be told to move, or whether she’s talking about general admission crowds or front-row seats.
Either way, some fans were not having it.
“I’ve always admired you for your talents and your attitude, but you have just stepped way over the line, especially with people who have loved, followed, and SUPPORTED You since the beginning! Time to take a step back,” one fan wrote on Facebook.
“Talk about how to kick your biggest supporters in the teeth. And I suppose you don’t want your photo taken either get off the stage if you can’t appreciate the people who have kept you there,” another commented.
“Don’t take loyal fans for granted. It’s easier to keep a loyal fan than get a new one. If you have a GA show and someone waited for hours to be in the front because they love you and your music, don’t ask them to move,” a third added. “You could easily find yourself without those loyal fans if you want to push them aside. Be grateful for those that take the time and effort to see you on multiple stops.”
“Wow. I kind of understand what you are wanting to do here, but what a cruel, rude and unfair way to go about it,” a fourth said.
Others supported Hynde.
“Love this kind of thoughtfulness,” a Facebook user said.
“Totally makes sense to me. If you’re performing the same set for the same faces every night, it can make you feel a bit phony,” another wrote. “It’s fun for an artist to experience the show through fresh eyes/ears. Someone who has been to like 5 shows in a row shouldn’t mind stepping back a couple rows to give another fan a chance to have a great experience.”
“Ok this might be a hot take because all of you seem super offended – but I actually understand what Chrissie is saying and I don’t disagree with her,” a third commented. “I think others deserve to be in the front instead of the same folks every night. Let’s let others get to have that experience. I typically only go to the New England shows and when folks who go to EVERY show are in front of me, I think it’s kind of lame and unfair. Let’s spread the love and the front row experience. Give everyone a chance! It doesn’t mean that Chrissie doesn’t love us, she just wants it to be fair. I get that and I’m into it.”
Hynde, 73, is the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter for The Pretenders, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. The band’s hits include “Brass in Pocket,” “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “I’ll Stand By You”; Hynde has also collaborated with artists like UB40, Ringo Starr, Emmylou Harris, Morrissey, Cher and Ray Davies.