The music industry delivered a double-header of news this week that reads like a tale of two cities — or perhaps more accurately, a tale of two eras. While legendary rockers The Who announced their (latest) farewell tour, Brooklyn’s premier venue operator Avant Gardner stumbled into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Talk about a stark reminder of just how much the live music landscape has shifted.
Let’s start with The Who — yeah, the same band that first said goodbye to fans way back in ’82. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are giving it one last go (for real this time, they swear) with “The Song Is Over North American Farewell Tour” in 2025. Gotta love the tongue-in-cheek name choice there.
“Well, all good things must come to an end,” Townshend mused during the announcement. There’s something bittersweet about watching these rock titans prep for their final victory lap — especially considering their American journey kicked off in ’67 with, as Townshend fondly recalled, “hippies smoking dope, sitting on their blankets, and listening deeply and intensely.”
The 16-date tour promises to hit the usual suspects — Madison Square Garden, Hollywood Bowl, y’know the drill. Ticket prices start at a surprisingly reasonable $62 for MSG (though don’t expect those to last long once the scalpers get their hands on ’em).
Meanwhile, over in Brooklyn’s typically bustling electronic music scene, things aren’t looking quite so rosy. Avant Gardner’s bankruptcy filing sent shockwaves through the industry, with their crown jewel — the 6,200-capacity Brooklyn Mirage — sitting dark after a renovation project went sideways. Regulatory headaches and spiraling costs pushed the company toward that dreaded $500 million debt ceiling.
The venue operator’s troubles read like a checklist of modern entertainment industry pitfalls. State Liquor Authority scrutiny over reported drug use? Check. Festival mishaps reminiscent of the infamous Fyre disaster? You bet — their Electric Zoo festival’s premature shutdown last year still stings.
But here’s the thing about the music biz — it’s always been about evolution. While The Who can still pack arenas based on decades of cultural impact, newer venues gotta navigate a maze of modern challenges. Changing consumer tastes, byzantine regulations, social media backlash… running a successful venue in 2024 (and beyond) ain’t for the faint of heart.
Still, even amid Chapter 11 proceedings, Avant Gardner’s keeping the beat alive. Their indoor spaces — the Great Hall and Kings Hall — remain open for business. Sometimes you gotta take a step back to move forward, right?
As Daltrey’s words about America being “the land of the possible” echo across these parallel stories, they take on new meaning. For The Who, it meant musical revolution. For Avant Gardner? Well, maybe it’s about finding that sweet spot between ambition and reality in today’s complex entertainment landscape.
One thing’s certain — while The Who gear up to celebrate their 57-year legacy, the business of bringing live music to the masses continues its own evolution. Different tune, same passion. The song might be ending for some, but somewhere, another one’s just beginning.
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