The Pretenders star Chrissie Hynde causes fury as she reveals fans will be kicked out of the front row if they have been to the band’s shows more than once to give ‘locals’ a chance

Chrissie Hynde has caused widespread anger by revealing that concertgoers will be kicked out of the front row if they attend her band’s shows more than once.

The American singer, 73, has been on tour with her popular band The Pretenders and on Wednesday night they all took to the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

However, she revealed that diehard fans could see themselves disappearing from the front row during the performance if they had already seen the rock band perform live during the tour.

Just hours before the show, she announced on Instagram that they wanted to give “local fans” a chance to see them up close, rather than the same loyal international fans.

Chrissie – who performs with bandmates Martin Chambers, Nick Wilkinson, James Walbourne, Eric Heywood and Carwyn Ellis – told fans not to feel ‘offended’ if they were ‘requested’ to move.

In a statement that was branded “condescending,” she shared, “Hello everyone! First of all we would like to thank everyone who came to our shows.

“We’re in the homestretch of this year’s tour and it’s been a real pleasure. Fantastic cities and fantastic audiences. We had a lot of fun playing for you.

‘One thing we feel obliged to explain is that when we go on tour, the whole point for the band is that we play to a different audience every night. That’s why we’re going on tour!

In an Instagram post, she revealed that diehard fans could see themselves disappearing from the front row during the performance if they had already seen the rock band perform live during the tour.

‘So when we’re in Edinburgh (like tonight) we’re looking forward to seeing local faces. This is what makes it new for us every night.

“We appreciate those of you who follow us and purchase tickets for multiple nights, so please don’t be offended if we ask you to move from the front row.

“All we ask is that you give the local fans a chance. This is what keeps it fresh for us… especially after being on tour for so many months. Bye!’

However, the announcement divided fans, with many insisting they found the request ‘disrespectful’ as people would have paid for the tickets.

Others also wondered how the band would remember who had sat in the front row at previous concerts, as they shared their doubts about the statement.

One wrote: ‘Not funny but if I saw you on this tour a few times and was asked to move I would be really offended. I enjoy seeing and hearing you play.

“And if my eyesight isn’t brilliant, I really don’t want to be moved further back because I wouldn’t be able to see you. It’s bad form to do that to people. Anyway, how can you remember everyone who comes in the front rows??’

Another commented: ‘LOL if the locals wanted to be up front they might have waited as long as your loyal fans who follow the tour/buy pre-sale tickets/enjoy your art. Imagine being told as a fan: “You just don’t interest me anymore.”

Chrissie (pictured in 2017) – who performs with bandmates Martin Chambers, Nick Wilkinson, James Walbourne, Eric Heywood and Carwyn Ellis – told fans not to feel ‘offended’ if they were ‘requested’ to move

A third said: ‘I really think this is rubbish. I live half in France in a dead city and half in Germany, so I have to travel for gigs… Paris is four hours away, so am I a local?’

A fourth fumed: ‘Oh wow… that’s so disrespectful! I can’t believe I just read this on your profile… buying concert tickets is something very special and increasingly difficult for some of us. You shouldn’t treat your fans this way. Unfollow.’

Another added: “Wait. ”Front Row”: Will People Be Asked to Leave Their Reserved Seats?’

Other fans, however, jumped to the band’s defense, insisting they understood why they wanted to give other people the chance to see them from the best viewing spots.

One argued: ‘I think some are taking this too personally. If the band always sees the same faces night after night, they might as well play forty shows in one location.

“Chrissie knows there are legions of us who have loved the band from the opening chords of Precious. She knows it and I’m sure she appreciates it. They just want to change it.”

Another wrote: ‘Sharing is Caring…. As someone who travels from Vienna to Britain to see a show, I appreciate this. Cheers.’

A third wrote: ‘I guess the point is don’t be a selfish dick. If you’ve seen the band several times, get out as the road…and let the people there take a look for one show.”

However, the announcement divided fans, with many insisting they thought the request was ‘disrespectful’ as people would have paid for the tickets (Chrissie is pictured in 2023)

The Pretenders are currently touring Britain on their 2024 tour and will perform in Gateshead on Thursday evening.

They will then travel to Hull and Nottingham before taking to the London Palladium stage for three shows from October 22 to 24.

The rockers, who are supported by The Picturebooks, will conclude their tour at Sheffield Town Hall on November 1.

The band is perhaps best known for their big hits Brass In Pocket, Back on the Chain Gang, I’ll Stand by You and Don’t Get Me Wrong.

The original line-up, formed in 1978, consisted of Chrissie, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon and Martin Chambers.