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Videos
Full show
Soundcheck
I Can't Explain / Substitute
I Can't Explain
I Can't Explain
Who Are You
See Me Feel Me
Behind Blue Eyes
Eminence Front
You Better You Bet
Going Mobile
The Real Me
I'm One
Love Reign O'er Me
Baba O'Riley
Won't Get Fooled Again
Won't Get Fooled Again
Tea & Theatre
Tea & Theatre
Press
Boston Globe
Boston.com
The Arts Fuse
Review by Peter Schleck
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are who they are, indeed.
And time and fate must have their way, to be sure, but tonight in Boston, these gents delivered a memorable capstone among scheduled capstone performances here on this goodbye tour of North America.
The weather was agreeable, the audience respectful and respectable in number.
A Boston-appropriate support act, The Joe Perry Project, reflected its current lineup with offerings from Aerosmith, The Black Crowes, and Stone Temple Pilots.
Roger expressed appreciation for Fenway Park as a venue. Both he and Pete took time more than once to say their thanks and express gratitude.
I Can’t Explain opened with energy, the sound level was quite good and the supporting players played like the pros they are.
The emotional high point of the night, I submit, was Roger’s performance of Love Reign O’er Me.
Tea and Theatre closed the show and with Pete seated and Roger standing close by, it was quite poignant. Quite.
For rarities, Love Ain’t For Keeping was tapped.
The return to a more limited supporting cast (in contrast to a bloody orchestra!) allowed for more improvisation, with bits of riffing and jamming and all the small touches that make it less like listening to the radio. Cry If You Want had its share, as did an intro to Eminence Front by Pete, and parts of the Quad songs included.
There were other regular chestnuts, including My Generation, Baba, and WGFA, and there will be a set list published here somewhere for those seeking a comprehensive accounting.
Simon Townshend sang lead on Goin’ Mobile, as he does on Roger’s solo outings. He also took over for Pete’s signature guitar piece on Pinball Wizard, which was one of those moments, and there were a fair share, when there was a reminder that, well, time and fate…
Whether due to the curfew, or some other reason, the tour namesake song was not played. It appeared that even Simon still thought it might be, as he remained in place a bit, guitar in hand, but then exited when it became clear it was not to be. This was just prior to Tea and Theatre, as if he thought they would play The Song Is Over second to last, which was the case in Newark.
And the stage banter was delicious, as ever. And it was made so much more poignant—there’s that word again—by the tender moments when the two leaders—Maestro and Commander—also took some care with one another, and, also, when it was so manifest that this was, in fact a goodbye. Pete even pulled out his phone and appeared to take a photo of the audience at the end!
If you strive to seek and are lucky enough to find “The Who” on any of the remaining dates, there is a great deal to cherish.
Review by Sara Novelli
The Song May Be Over...But Our Love Isn't
The weather couldn't have been better for the Who's amazing show at Fenway Park.
We did the VIP with the sound check. They played "The Seeker" and some of "I Can See For Miles" and "Who Are You". I wish they wouldn't seat us so far away, though. As we exited, I saw Heather (Boo's lovely wife), and said hello.
The opening act, the Joe Perry Project, held its own. I had no idea that was the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson on lead vocals, as he used to look very much like John Lennon circa 1969ish. They did their own stuff, Black Crowes, and Aerosmith material. (Where were Run DMC to assist with "Walk This Way"? lol)
Then the Who came on, and true to form, I went into typical fangirl mode. Ran in place for "Who Are You" (remember how Roger would do so in the 80s?), jumped for "You Better You Bet" (I seriously thought he'd direct the "...and open legs" line to me this time), and brought my other little friend Beary the Who Bear.
Roger and I had some meaningful interaction. We discussed not throwing any bears on stage, and he smiled at me quite a bit, throwing a kiss after "Love Reign O'er Me".
The band played a few extra Who's Next numbers, in addition to the ones they regularly play, "Love Ain't For Keeping" & "Going Mobile" (Simon on vocals). Disappointed that they didn't finish with "The Song Is Over".
I wish the set list had included some of the more recent stuff, perhaps from albums like ENDLESS WIRE & WHO. And maybe "Naked Eye", "Magic Bus", "Tattoo", etc...
Most of my Who shows have been in Boston, with two in New York (if you count that MusiCares benefit in 2015), and one in Connecticut. I truly appreciate every show I have experienced, and am no longer bitter about the times I didn't get to see them. (1989-2002).