The iconic British rock band The Who are well known for their legendary live performances and hit songs like “My Generation”, “Pinball Wizard”, and “Baba O’Riley”. After over 50 years of touring, The Who continue to entertain audiences around the world with their dynamic stage presence and timeless catalogue of music. This has left many fans wondering – where might The Who play on their next tour stop in Columbus, Ohio?
The Who’s 2022 Tour and Ohio Stop
In 2022, The Who embarked on a tour celebrating their classic album “Tommy” and other fan favorites. The tour is titled “The Who Hits Back” and features Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend along with accompanying musicians playing a career-spanning setlist. As part of the tour, The Who have scheduled a stop in Columbus, Ohio for a show on October 7, 2022.
Ohio has always been a strong market for The Who, going back to their early tours of the United States in the 1960s. Over the years, fans in cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus have turned out in droves for the band’s electrifying concerts. The upcoming Columbus show promises to continue this tradition, bringing the iconic rockers back to the Buckeye State.
Potential Columbus Venues for The Who
When considering where The Who might play in Columbus, there are a few likely venues that make sense given the scale of the show and the band’s stage requirements:
- Schottenstein Center – With a capacity of around 20,000, this arena on the Ohio State University campus has hosted major touring acts like Pink, Elton John, and Kesha. The abundant seating and excellent acoustics make it a prime spot for a booming rock show like The Who.
- Nationwide Arena – Home to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, this downtown arena can hold over 18,000 spectators. Nationwide Arena has previously hosted big name rock bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruce Springsteen, and The Eagles.
- MAPFRE Stadium – As an open-air soccer specific stadium, MAPFRE can be configured to hold concerts for 25,000+ fans. It has previously been a stop for touring mega-acts like Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, and Beyoncé.
Given the scale of their current tour and production, Nationwide Arena seems like the most sensible choice for The Who’s forthcoming Columbus show. The arena offers excellent capacity in an indoor setting with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and amenities.
History of The Who Performing in Columbus
While the upcoming concert will mark The Who’s first Columbus show in over a decade, the band does have some history of performing in the city for enthusiastic crowds of fans. Here are a few notable past Who concerts in Columbus:
- August 2, 1969 – Fresh off the release of their iconic album Tommy, The Who played Veterans Memorial Auditorium early in their rise to fame.
- June 10, 1975 – By the mid-70s, The Who graduated to playing massive stadiums like Ohio Stadium on their transplant tour, with 80,000 fans in attendance.
- August 15, 1979 – This show at Columbus Municipal Stadium capped a long summer tour behind their album Who Are You.
- August 29, 1989 – The band returned to larger stadium venues for this show at Ohio Stadium, with special guests The Pretenders.
After the 1980s, The Who settled into a pattern of playing indoor arenas like Nationwide Arena and Value City Arena on their tours supporting new albums like Face Dances and It’s Hard. Clearly, the band has a rich history of high-energy concerts in Columbus.
Setlist Expectations for Columbus Show
Fans attending the upcoming show will likely be treated to a career-spanning setlist of classics and deeper cuts from The Who’s vast catalog. Here are some songs fans might expect to hear in Columbus:
- “Who Are You”
- “Eminence Front”
- “The Seeker”
- “You Better You Bet”
- “Behind Blue Eyes”
- “Pinball Wizard”
- “Baba O’Riley”
- “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
Songs from the Tommy album will also feature prominently, as that album is the centerpiece of the current tour. Fan favorites like “Amazing Journey”, “The Acid Queen”, “I’m Free”, and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” seem highly likely as well. There’s also the chance for new songs from The Who’s 2019 album WHO, which shows the band still has creativity left to spare.
Possible Special Guests or Guest Performers
In addition to classic Who hits, there exists the possibility of special guest appearances during the Columbus show. Previous tours have seen guests like Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello, and Joan Jett join the band on stage for certain songs. The Pretenders are also currently opening some shows on The Who’s tour. While unconfirmed, fans may hope to see guests or supporting acts make the Columbus bill for an even more memorable evening.
Acquiring Tickets to the Columbus Concert
Given The Who’s limited tour schedule and the likelihood of high demand, fans interested in attending the Columbus show would be wise to acquire tickets early through the following options:
- Join The Who’s official fan club, which offers pre-sale ticket access before the general public
- Purchase through Ticketmaster when general public sales begin
- Check resale sites like StubHub or VividSeats closer to the show date
Prices can vary greatly depending on seat location in the arena and overall ticket demand. Based on other tour stops, ticket prices may range from:
Section | Approximate Price Range |
---|---|
Lower bowl/floor seats | $150 – $300+ |
Lower bowl sides/corners | $80 – $150 |
Upper bowl sides | $50 – $100 |
Upper bowl rear | $30 – $70 |
VIP packages with perks like premium seats, exclusive merchandise, and meet & greet opportunities are also often available for bigger fans willing to pay higher prices. Prices may shift over time leading up to the show depending on demand.
Travel and Accommodations in Columbus
Fans traveling to Columbus from out of town to see The Who will need to book travel and overnight hotel accommodations in the city. Here are some options:
Flights
The nearest major airport is John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), located about 10 miles from downtown Columbus and major venues like Nationwide Arena. Fans can search sites like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights to find competitive fares and flight routes to CMH airport.
Alternately, nearby airports in cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, or Pittsburgh can provide options as well. Fans could then drive 1-3 hours to Columbus depending on their starting airport.
Hotels
Downtown Columbus has many name-brand hotels connected the Greater Columbus Convention Center like:
- Hilton Columbus Downtown
- Hyatt Regency Columbus
- Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center
There are also affordable options like Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Downtown, Red Roof Inn Columbus – Downtown, and Comfort Suites which are under 2 miles from Nationwide Arena. Rates will rise closer to the concert weekend, so booking early is recommended.
Getting Around Columbus
Columbus has rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, taxi companies, and a public bus system (COTA) to help get around the city. The venues, downtown hotels, and restaurants are all centrally located and walkable depending on weather conditions.
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Columbus
Before or after the big Who concert, fans will likely want to experience some of Columbus’ top restaurants and nightlife spots. Here are some popular places located downtown near the arena:
Restaurants
- North Market – Collection of diverse food stalls & shops like sushi, BBQ, Italian, and fresh produce
- Preston’s: A Burger Joint – Creative burgers with beef, chicken, lamb and vegetarian options
- The Eagle – Chicken wings and comfort food with American flair
- Condado Tacos – Build-your-own tacos, nachos and tequila bar
Bars
- Seventh Son Brewing – Local brewery with ales, lagers and seasonal beers
- The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar – Party atmosphere with live piano players and singalongs
- Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace – Quintessential dive bar open late, with hot dogs
- Pins Mechanical Co. – Huge bar with duckpin bowling, bocce, ping pong and 80+ beers
This is just a small sample of Columbus’ diverse food and nightlife offerings. Fans visiting for The Who concert are sure to find plenty of great options for eating, drinking, and being merry before or after the show.
Shopping Near the Venue
For fans who want to explore Columbus or grab a bite before the concert, the Arena District around Nationwide Arena offers some convenient shopping and dining options:
- Arena Crossing – Outdoor mall with stores like Urban Outfitters, Vista Print, andCantina Laredo restaurant
- Nationwide Boulevard – Street running along the arena with restaurants like Bar Louie, BBR, and Boston’s Pizza
- Short North Arts District – Trendy neighborhood with art galleries, boutiques, and cafes just north of downtown
The nearby North Market and Greater Columbus Convention Center also offer unique shopping and quick dining for those on the go before the show.
Final Thoughts
Columbus, Ohio provides an excellent Midwestern destination for fans eager to catch The Who on their latest tour. The city offers accessibility, amenities, and a proven ability to host major rock concerts at venues like Nationwide Arena. With a packed setlist of Who classics promised, the Columbus stop should be a special night of nostalgia and great live music for all in attendance.