21 Mar 2025
20 March 2025
As I jot this down, my calendar reminds me, “one year since the last Who concert.”
Having just arrived in London, I’m gearing up for the shows scheduled for next week. The timing for this blog’s comeback feels oddly ideal . . .
Countless times, we’ve pondered the question “Could this be the last one, the final performance?” I recall events in Vegas, another at the Hollywood Bowl, Sandringham Estate, and a Teen Cancer America concert back in 2019. Even during breaks, you never know what could happen; someone might injure themselves or encounter an accident – and just like that, it’s over. No grand finale or elaborate preparations.
Even if it were to be concluded that “this is the final Who tour/show,” I firmly believe there will always be a chance, an opening – assuming Rog and Pete are still around – to step onto the stage and create some noise. This has been mentioned frequently, even just last week – there are smaller opportunities beyond grand performances and major tours. Most of us would welcome an intimate acoustic session or anything similar, even if the large Who concerts are no longer happening.
No one anticipated Keith’s or John’s “final show,” and yet those later performances have come to feel so valuable now. Having Pete and Rog still able to step out and do their Who thing is indeed invaluable, perhaps even more so now, as we all recognize the dwindling opportunities to see them perform live. Thankfully for us, they both maintain their high caliber, objectively speaking. Longtime fans no longer expect the leaps of the 1970s or those intense screams; the guys have matured and embrace that change, for what it’s worth. Roger continues to sing in the original keys, and they still possess the drive to venture out and experiment each night; the concerts do take risks even within the usual setlist.
On that note, there are two upcoming shows this month: Teenage Cancer Trust events at the Royal Albert Hall. It’s undeniably “home territory,” being central London. An ideal venue and spot for the fortunate few who manage to secure tickets. It will also serve as a testing ground to determine how we all fare without the large orchestra that has been accompanying us for the past five years! This started with Roger’s solo Tommy tour in the US back in 2018. The Who followed up with a tour in 2019 (interrupted by the pandemic) that has continued since then. After five years of orchestral Who, we’re now scaling back and simplifying. The band lineup will include:
Pete Townshend
Roger Daltrey
Zak Starkey (his 29th year with The Who, I believe!)
Simon Townshend
Loren Gold
Jon Button
John Hogg
This is indeed a significant reduction in size, though we will certainly miss our dear friends Billy Nicholls, Keith Levenson, Katie Jacoby, Audrey Snyder, and Emily Marshall. Conversations about what to play are underway – much back-and-forth, since certain pieces are more easily executed with an orchestra (Tommy‘s ‘Overture’, Quadrophenia‘s ‘The Rock’), but with around 200 songs to choose from, there are numerous possibilities.
With this smaller format, there’s also more room for the spontaneity of earlier years (the orchestra required everyone to maintain strict adherence to the setlist and timing). We might see more jamming or improvisation, possibly incorporating different acoustic material. Both Roger and Pete have expressed interest in exploring some intriguing ideas – a few we haven’t previously seen or heard onstage, along with some unexpected older classics. Naturally, the essential hits will always make their way into the set, and those key milestones will indeed be performed. Everyone is genuinely eager for a few days of rehearsal to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
We’ll have several exciting things to anticipate –
1) A lot more space onstage, which will be nice.
2) Reduced setup time (approximately four hours less work each day for the crew)
3) The return of the large video screen behind the stage, previously occupied by the big curtain before the orchestra.
4) The concert sound mix will be less complex for Robert Collins, who had to skillfully blend the orchestra and band.
These performances may give us insight into what resonates in 2025 and whether there’s a promising future for additional shows/tours or not. This is always the case – there are consistently numerous offers on the table, but touring doesn’t hold the same allure as it once did. Perhaps some of these proposed changes, along with the more relaxed, smaller version of the band will inspire a new optimism and potential that has been absent over the last five years. We’re hopeful, but the upcoming rehearsals will provide clarity. I’ll capture some video and photos during the rehearsals, share them once completed, and any true surprises will be saved until they step onstage at the Albert Hall!
Onward! . . .
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
