Videos
Soundcheck
I Can't Explain
Who Are You
Love Ain't For Keeping
Behind Blue Eyes
The Real Me
I'm One
Baba O'Riley
Press
Review by Lauren J. Hammer
I was reminded tonight, how even the 2025 Who, with only Roger and Pete at 80+ (with uber-talented support), on an average night, still just blow everyone else away.
Even to this day, NOTHING EVEN COMES CLOSE.
And I’m saying that in the wake of what was probably an average show. Not particularly strong. Not particularly weak. Everyone had a good night. Nobody had a great one. (Meaning the band performances. I’m certainly not speaking for individual audience members!)
The set list was the pared down version of the moment. Not the surprisingly happy, optimistic setlist of Sunrise, but...
I was glad that Cry if You Want is back in My Gen (although I so badly want the charter to massively revise the arrangement). I’m grateful for Love Ain’t for Keeping sticking around. I’m One is always a Pete gem. Love Reign is always a Roger gem. Love that Goin’ Mobile is FINALLY in a Who show. (Although while Simon does a GREAT job with it - I want more Pete vocal participation.)
I know not everyone agrees, but I think the ending of Baba > WGFA > Song is Over > Tea & Theater is pretty damn perfect.
Katie was a special guest for Baba. Pretty sure she’s local here in NY. I expect she’ll be at MSG, too. Interestingly, Roger still played the harmonica, along with her. I don’t recall him doing that previously when Katie’s around. Anyone?
Roger changed some words in Substitute, which was a lot of fun. WE were born with a plastic spoon…
I also think his lyrical changes to Song is Over, are exceptionally good. I couldn’t craft a better coda to The Who than his revised interpretation of Song is Over. Correction: Unless it INCLUDED SIGNIFICANT PETE VOCALS (instead of next to none).
Quad:
Scott has really stepped up his game in The Real Me. See above re: I’m One and Love Reign. I continue to wish 5:15 would go away. It pains me that we could have Punk. We could have I’ve Had Enough. Instead, we get the song where all I hear is THE GAPING SONIC HOLE of no John. If you must play it, at least give me John’s solo up on the big screen (albeit maybe Detroit or Atlanta - rather than that one from the RAH).
Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the very important truth that all is right in the world, when the night blasts off with I Can’t Explain. It never gets old, and unless they’re doing all of Tommy or John comes back to life and brings us Heaven and Hell - every night should start with ICE.
Personal Note: Big shout out of gratitude to Chris Z. for helping me to be where I was.
P.S. I really, really, really miss Amazing Journey/Sparks.
Review by Georgia Mavromatis Kuhen
Jones Beach was an incredible show! Roger and Pete were both in rare good form, together!
Roger seemed especially happy to be playing at the Beach. He was happy and pleasant, without any audio issues. He touched his ear piece a few times, but no pauses or do-overs. Pete windmilled a few times and it was cool especially against old footage of him playing in the past.
The new graphics are absolutely amazing… I think they’ve been using the same since “The Who Hit 50” tour so it was a treat. Same graphics for the Seeker, though, so I guess they really like it.
I don’t believe in anything paranormal but I just want to mention that at the beginning of Song is Over, it started to rain on this hot summer Long Island night. I know I felt like crying so it felt like a little head game.
Preparing for MSG in two days.