The Who in Atlantic City, NJ September 12, 2025

 

The Who Setlist Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ, USA 2025, The Song Is Over: The North American Farewell Tour

 

 

Videos

Substitute
I Can See For Miles
I Can See For Miles
I Can See For Miles
Love Ain't For Keeping
My Generation
My Generation
Going Mobile
Love Reign O'er Me
Won't Get Fooled Again
Baba O'Riley
The Song is Over
The Song is Over
Tea & Theatre
Tea & Theatre

 

Press

Press of Atlantic City
American Songwriter

 

Review by Jonathan Fishbein

In 1982, I was 15 and was just discovering The Who. My first Who show was supposed to be their last--Dec 17, 1982 at Maple Leaf Gardens. As a true neophyte at the time, I barely knew their catalogue other than the obvious FM staples, and whatever was on the two compilations I owned at that time--Hooligans and Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy. Needless to say, I devoured everything I could get my hands on after that, even though I thought I'd never see them in concert again...

Fast forward to 1989 (with a brief stopover for Live Aid in '85) -- Tommy 25th anniversary reunion shows, and some incredible setlists beyond the Tommy material. '93 and '94 saw Townshend and Daltrey solo tours, and then came another reunion in 96-97 with the Quadrophenia shows. Two years later, The Who were back with an audio simulcast on Halloween 1999, and basically they've hit the road every 2-4 years for the past 25 years. Now living in NJ, I've been fortunate to attend a few shows each tour in Philly, Newark, and MSG. As fans, we've been blessed, but as much as none of us want it, all good things must come to an end.

For me, my final show (lost count, somewhere in the low #40s) was Friday night Sep 12th at Boardwalk Hall. This was also the final show on the east coast, before they head out west for the final finale.

The concert featured the same setlist with the notable exception of substituting (see what I did there) I Can See For Miles for The Seeker. Personally, ICSFM is one of my favorite songs, so I was really happy with this.

The band itself was tight. I enjoyed the orchestra shows of the past two tours, but like most Who fans, I really enjoyed the smaller, tighter band on this tour.

The energy down in front was incredible. This was palpable through the first 2 songs, See Me Feel Me, and then pretty much from Love Reign O'er Me through the end of the show. We could feel the roar of the entire crowd behind us. I'm sure that Pete, Roger and the rest of the band fed off of that and delivered an amazing performance accordingly.

A couple of other random and funny things that I noted:

The bass volume of Love Ain't For Keeping was turned up. It sounded great, I love feeling that vibration in my feet. I wish they left it that high through the show, or at least for the Quad numbers. Prior to My Generation, Pete said something like "when we used to play this in the late '60s, we were probably too old even then to be playing it....but here we are".

At the end of the concert, Roger was complaining about the arena -- saying the sound was horrible and the venue should only be used for circus shows. I know many of us fans appreciated a slightly smaller venue (14,000 vs. 18-20000 in more modern stadiums). In any event, he also said something like "the sound bounces off the back wall and it's like there's another band playing....and they're a lot better than us"! Bootleg devotees might remember that almost the exact same banter between Roger and John Entwistle during the December 1979 Chicago show, at the International Amphitheatre.

The Who are definitely going out on a high note. I wrote on my personal FB page that I almost wished everything about these shows was horrible, then it wouldn't be as sad to say goodbye. If you're on the fence about seeing them a couple of times on the west coast, then get off the fence, buy the tickets, go to the concert.

 

Review by Kristin M. Krumm

It was a phenomenal night of rock music for those who joined together at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on September 12, 2025. If you recall this was one of two rescheduled dates and the band didn’t disappoint us with their energy on stage.

Being a longtime Who fan but having never gotten a chance to see them perform live, I knew this was my chance (maybe last?). So, in proper fashion I went all in with top VIP package. Two words- Worth it!

Sound check was slow to start, waiting for Pete. Issues with volumes on individual instruments being worked out. We were treated to listening to “I Can See For Miles”, “Who Are You”, “You Better You Bet”. Pete played only 10secs of “I’m One” and we all laughed. Roger joked about the venue’s acoustics being so old, comparing them to being built for elephants! Hysterical laughter erupted from the crowd when Roger, and Pete too, mimicked elephant sounds!! Given the late start and early ending, soundcheck still proved memorable.

The original act was unavailable for this new date so the talented Leslie Mendelson performed. The crowd was attentive, enjoying her original songs as well as a cover of Chrissie Hynde’s “Don’t Get Me Wrong”. But don’t get me wrong... we were all anxiously and excitedly waiting for The Who to step out on that stage!

And then that moment arrived! The front row, on their feet at the steel barricade, screaming and waving. I was a part of that! The venue was mostly packed, I wouldn’t say as much as other shows on the tour, but the floor was especially jamming.

The band was relaxed, happy, and got in the groove a little more with each song. Highlights include an energetic performance by Simon Townshend taking the lead with “Goin’ Mobile”, exceptional keyboard performance on “Long Live Rock” by Loren Gold, the always emotionally moving “Love Reign O’er Me, and the ending of “Tea and Theatre. Visually, this concert was spectacular with unbelievable complimentary graphics. Kudos to Tom and the lighting team!

Roger was in top form vocally and the iconic scream was, in my opinion, one that laid it all on the stage that night. Pete showed some dance moves, “the windmill” was in effect, and vocals on point during his solos. The rest of the band members, including Jon Button, Scott Devours, Jody Linscott, and John Hogg, brought their flavor to each song adding to the rock vibe.

What else can I say? I’m grateful for this experience. Music is a universal language we all speak and connecting with others over the love of shared moments like this is priceless. Long Live Rock!

 

Review by Mark Fintz

It's been a while since I've been to Atlantic City. Probably the last time the Who played Boardwalk Hall. The Hall has had a major rehab, with new food and shopping courts. Got there around 4:30 and parked somewhere that resembled Hitchcocks The Birds movie. Pigeons everywhere, the parking lot, the telephone wires, the roof over the deli and they were eyeing us. Thankfully we didn't get an aerial attack.

This was show #6 for me. From Newark to Atlantic City. The band was sharp from the start with Pete sporting a white suit. My first thought was "the Good Humor man". I'll take a Strawberry Shortcake.

The Seeker was dropped and replaced with I Can See For Miles. There was almost an appearance of Had Enough. At the start of the Quad foursome, George was yelling for Had Enough. I guess Pete "had enough" and responded to George that "we have rehearsed it, but were not gonna play it tonight". Roger quipped that "lets do it Pete". My guess is it will resurface at the Hollywood Bowl. WGFA was very good as was Baba and traveling violinist Katy Jacoby.

The band is in a groove and getting better each night. The song is not over.