The tour follows the Pretenders' latest album, 'Relentless', their best album in 23 years and their 14th UK Top 40 release. The album has been critically acclaimed and described by MOJO as "enduringly brilliant songwriting" and "...certainly the way Chrissie Hynde always wanted the Pretenders to sound". The Observer spoke of "inspiring longevity", Record Collector praised "the best Pretenders album in 20 years" in a five-star review, and Uncut Magazine described the album as "the new heyday of Chrissie Hynde". The Times proclaimed: "This is the Pretenders' best album they've ever made", and the i Newspaper praised "a clear statement", while the Telegraph confirmed: "Relentless is perhaps one of the most exciting things you'll hear all year." The album has been named Album of the Year by magazines such as MOJO, Uncut, Classic Rock and others.
The sheer power of the Pretenders' current live show has captivated audiences since the band began introducing new music at their gigs early last year. 2023 fulfilled the band with a packed touring schedule - they completed over 60 shows in the UK, USA and Europe.
In October 2023, energetic, sold-out club concerts took place at London's Electric Ballroom, the O2 Ritz in Manchester and Barrowlands in Glasgow, which were celebrated frenetically by the fans. The Evening Standard described them as "iconic", the Sun On Sunday as "legendary" and Louder Than War as "outrageously good".
A surprise appearance at Glastonbury, with Johnny Marr and Dave Grohl appearing as special guests, was hailed as the highlight of the entire festival weekend. The Telegraph described it as
"a thrilling, rocking, melodic and infectious surprise concert on the Park Stage", MOJO deemed it "a true wonder" and the Metro reported: "The Pretenders really and truly left fans in awe".
The band played with Guns N' Roses in London's Hyde Park in the middle of a major arena tour of Europe and joined Guns N' Roses on a major open air tour of the US in August and September, with Chrissie Hynde even joining Guns N' Roses on stage to play harmonica during a surprise performance of "Bad Obsession" at Boston's Fenway Park.
A spectacular British comeback at BBC Radio 2 In The Park in front of 35,000 fans in Leicester's Victoria Park thrilled fans before the band returned to the west coast of the USA for the Ohana Festival and sold-out club shows.
Before the Pretenders embark on a headline tour of the UK in October, the band will perform at the Isle Of Wight Festival in June and support the Foo Fighters on their upcoming US tour in July and August.
The new album "Relentless" is available now on baby pink vinyl, CD and as a digital download.