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Videos
I Can't Explain (with tribute to Ozzy Osbourne)
Substitute
Love Ain't For Keeping / Bargain
I'm One / I've Had Enough
The Song is Over
Review by Lloyd Fox
We arrived at the venue, an outdoor field with a huge stage, at 5:30 for a 10pm showtime. It was 90 degrees and swarming with mosquitoes. Was able to secure an advanced entry spot for general admission in front of the stage. Gates opened at 7:30, and the run to the rail was almost a quarter mile. We managed a spot on the rail in front of Roger.
As we waited, news spread about the passing of Ozzy. A screen shot appeared soon after dedicated to the Prince of Darkness.
As the sun descended so did the temperature. Armed with bug spray, a cool breeze, it was show time and front row, it was all a go.
As the clock struck ten the band walked on. Pete began by dedicating ICE to Ozzy.
It was the same set, but noticeably louder and more rehearsed. Pete had an acoustic guitar issue on I'm One, but a change of guitars fixed everything.
After My Generation, Roger started to run out of gas and his voice struggled from then on. They did return to encore with Song is Over and the show ended with approval from all.
Over all, a pleasant night and job well done. We all went off on our way in search of a late night Pizza, arrivederci.
Review by Antonio Pellegrini
The Who – July 22, 2025 – Parco della Musica, Milan
The Song Is Over is the title of The Who’s latest tour. Will it really be the end? Who knows…
Somewhat unexpectedly, two Italian warm-up shows were announced for July—on the 20th in Padua and the 22nd in Milan—before the start of their American tour.
Along with Chicco Gualco—my best "Who-friend," as he brilliantly defines himself—and for the first time with his wife Oksana, we left Genoa at 3:30 p.m. heading to the Parco della Musica in Segrate, the venue for the concert.
After two and a half hours, we arrived. The location was quite nice. Very close to Linate Airport, and as we waited for the show to begin, several planes flew right over our heads. Incredibly, as soon as we parked the car, we could already hear The Who doing their soundcheck—not too far away: Love Ain’t for Keepin’ (wow!) and Baba O’Riley.
Back to reality: merchandise prices were, as usual in recent years, far too high—€40 for a t-shirt and €15 for a postcard. Food and drink prices were just as bad. While waiting, we ran into several friends of ours and of The Who, including Fabio from Milan and Antonio from Piacenza, who, by the way, is writing a review for a major Italian magazine.
Finally, it was time to go through security and get in. The audience area wasn’t huge, and The Who played to an almost sold-out crowd. Before the show started, we still had time to grab a beer and greet a few more friends, including Luciano from Milan. Just before the lights went down, Marco from Rome joined us and stayed with us for the entire night. By pure luck, we found ourselves in an excellent spot—right in front of a small reserved area, on the left-hand side facing the stage. We leaned comfortably on the rail and had a close-up view of the whole concert.
At around 10 p.m., the lights went out. The Who took the stage.
Roger wore jeans and a light blue long-sleeve t-shirt. Pete looked more casual in a short-sleeve polo and loose, cool pants. In the end, though, Roger made the better choice—unlike Pete (and us), he managed to protect his arms from the mosquito invasion that plagued the early part of the show. Incredibly, even the mosquitoes seemed to surrender in front of The Who’s rock.
The first few songs were played with raw energy and vitality.
They opened with I Can’t Explain, which Pete dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne, whose passing had been announced just a few hours earlier.
Then came Substitute—one of the first Who songs I ever fell in love with—followed by the classic Who Are You.
Love Ain’t for Keepin’. My brain short-circuits with emotion. My mind flashes back to the first time I listened to Who’s Next, when I bought the record without knowing The Who would become my favorite band. I used to play this song at full volume, crying, overwhelmed by its beauty and emotional power. Even now, tears run down my face.
The Seeker—another great track, played with real grit.
This was my favorite part of the show. Even if it had ended here, the trip and the €126 gold section ticket would have been totally worth it.
Behind Blue Eyes. Pete sat down and, with his beautiful acoustic, brought back the original sound of the track. His brother Simon Townshend played the electric rock part. A good part of the setlist was implicitly dedicated to Who’s Next—probably because of the recent release of the massive box set reissue.
Then came a few songs from Quadrophenia: The Real Me and 5.15. The band backing Roger and Pete was more than up to the task. Drummer Scott Devours is a great fit for The Who—he doesn’t overwhelm them, but supports them perfectly. These days, The Two are backed by Roger Daltrey’s solo band.
They continued with I’m One, beautifully sung and played by Townshend on acoustic. The Quadrophenia segment ended with I’ve Had Enough and Love, Reign O’er Me. Roger was in great voice tonight, strongly supported by his bandmates and a particularly effective backing vocalist.
Eminence Front gave us one of Pete’s classic lead vocal moments. And yes, there were younger people in the crowd—not just boomers!—dancing to the funky, dance-like groove of the track.
My Generation, with a finale from Cry If You Want, sounded as powerful as if it had just been written. But it hasn’t. It’s the music of their generation—unique and unrepeatable—and it will die with them.
Then came See Me, Feel Me from Tommy. After that, one of my all-time favorite Who tracks: You Better You Bet. What a great song, even in its apparent simplicity.
As in Padua, the show seemed to be wrapping up with the classics: Baba O’Riley and Won’t Get Fooled Again.
But it wasn’t over yet!
Tonight we were lucky enough to witness one of the rare live performances of The Song Is Over, the track that gave the tour its name. Pete told us they played it at the Royal Albert Hall, and it didn’t go too well—probably the last time they’ll ever attempt it. Honestly, even tonight it didn’t quite breathe in a live setting, and by the end of the show Roger’s voice was showing signs of fatigue. But who cares?
Yes, we were there for the concert itself—which was beautiful. But even more so, we were there to celebrate a band that once stood on the stages of Monterey, Woodstock, the Isle of Wight, and Live Aid. The ones who gave us masterpieces like Who’s Next, Quadrophenia, Tommy, and so much more.
It’s over.
Maybe forever.
At least in Italy.
Thank you, The Who. We will never forget you. Seeing you live—even if only in your later years—has been one of the greatest joys for a true fan of rock and of the monumental music of the 20th century.
Review by Derick Bhupsingh
Left Padova very happy as The Who concert there was brilliant, and the antics and frantics of my wonderful friends who were travel companions. Headed for Milan after a little sightseeing and tasting the very fine Italian cuisine. Padova is an old Historic city with obvious signs of the Roman Empire as many City Walls and tenements are easily seen. Bit bigger crowd of about 10,000 in Milan but clearly not a sellout. But main problem was the biting mosquitoes.
The second gig and I will be brief here as I'm totally knackered and just got off the plane and still face a 4 hour journey, and if you know me and how those things go well then you know me!
I think Padova had the edge over Milan. That's all I'm going to say for now. Main difference is they dedicated the gig to Ozzy Osbourne in a nice tribute from the opening song.
Then they closed the set with a better Song is Over. (Not perfect but I'll take it)
Noticeable was a bit of a lack of stage banter except for maybe at the end. A few tech probs, but hey it happens...
Milan started one hour later at 10pm instead of 9pm, said to be because it would be less hot and would help Roger Daltrey beat the heat.
Never mind we were being bitten by mosquitoes all night while waiting. Ok for some. And the Security confiscated my insect repellent!!!!!
When i arrived they were finishing the sound check and we could hear it clearly. Sounded great. After we looked around for bootleg t shirts and found some all of which I thought were rubbish and again not as good as the ones in Padova, but Gary managed to get one bloke to drop his price 30 to 15 euros! Well done mate. There were also some nice small posters with the Italian dates on them so I got a couple of those, but then gave one to a new friend Mike.
The highlight of the gig for me was the outstanding Had Enough. That song just gets better every time The Who play it. Also See me Feel me was very good and moving.
Anyway had great fun last night. Thanks to Gary and Melissa, Sean, Alan and Lloyd for making the trip fun and very good.
Till we meet again one day.