21 Mar 2025
Brian Kehew’s Backstage Blog is back!
20 March 2025
As I write this, a reminder on my calendar says “one year since last Who show.”
And I’ve just landed in London to prepare for the upcoming shows next week. So the timing is oddly perfect for this blog to resurrect itself . . .
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had the thought “IS this the last one, the final show?” I remember something in Vegas, another at the Hollywood Bowl, Sandringham Estate, a Teen Cancer America show in 2019. Even sometimes when we’re just on a break, you never know; someone could break a leg or fall off a cliff – and it’s done. Without much fanfare or planning.
And even if somehow it WAS determined that someday “this is the last Who tour/show”, I’m certain there will always be an opening, an opportunity – if Rog and Pete are still available – to get onstage and make some noise. That is often mentioned, even this last week – there are smaller opportunities beyond full shows and big tours. Most of us would welcome a short acoustic set or anything, even if there weren’t big Who shows anymore.
Nobody planned the “final show” of Keith or John, and yet those latter times they were seen do seem SO precious now. Having Pete and Rog still able to come out and Do Their Who Thing is indeed as precious, and maybe even more so now, as we all grasp these fewer chances to see them onstage. Luckily for us, they are both pretty damn good, objectively. Longtime fans don’t expect 1970 leaps or huge screams anymore, the guys are mature and welcome it, for what it’s worth. Roger’s still singing in the original keys, and they still have the fire to take off and experiment each night; the show does take risks even within the usual setlist material.
Speaking of which, there are only two shows coming this month: Teenage Cancer Trust events at the Royal Albert Hall. It’s definitely “home territory” besides being central London. An ideal Who venue and location for the lucky few who are able to get tickets. It will also be a test-bed to see how we all do without that big orchestra that’s been following us around for half a decade now! It began with Roger’s solo Tommy tour in America in 2018. The Who followed with a 2019 tour (and a pandemic break) that has lasted since then. five years of the orchestral Who, but now we’re going stripped-back and leaner. The band will be:
Pete Townshend
Roger Daltrey
Zak Starkey (his 29th year with The Who, I believe!)
Simon Townshend
Loren Gold
Jon Button
John Hogg
This is quite a reduction in size, although we certainly will miss our dear friends Billy Nicholls, Keith Levenson, Katie Jacoby, Audrey Snyder, and Emily Marshall. There is talk of what to play – much discussion going on, because certain things are easier done with orchestra (Tommy‘s ‘Overture’, Quadrophenia‘s ‘The Rock’) but since there are approximately 200 songs, there are many options.
With this reduced size, there is also more opportunity for the looseness of earlier years (the orchestra required everyone to be on-the-page for setlist and structure/timing). There could be more jamming or improvisation, different acoustic material maybe. Both Roger and Peter have suggested trying out some interesting ideas – a few we’ve never before seen or heard onstage, and maybe a few unexpected older ones. Of course, the basic hits will always be in the set, and those milestones must be played, and will. But everyone’s really looking forward to a few days of rehearsal to see what works and what doesn’t.
We’ll have a few great things to look forward to –
1) A lot more room onstage, that will be nice.
2) Less setup time (approximately four hours less work each day for the crew)
3) A return to the large video screen behind the stage, where the big curtain was behind the orchestra.
4) The concert mix will be less-complicated for Robert Collins, who had to expertly blend the orchestra and band.
These shows may tell us what works in 2025, and if there’s a good future for other shows/tours or not. It’s that way all the time – there are always many offers on the table, but touring is not as attractive as it once was. Maybe some of these proposed changes, and the smaller, looser version of the band will bring some new optimism and potential that we haven’t seen in the last five years. We’re hoping so, but the coming rehearsals will tell us. I’ll shoot some video and photos at the coming rehearsals, post them when that’s complete, and then any actual surprises will be held until they walk onstage at the Albert Hall!
Onward! . . .
I have enjoyed the Orchestral shows, But I’m excited to see a band show gig again. I’ve been to a fair number of Who shows since my first time in 2004 but the 4 I saw in 2006 will be the most special. And so I’m really excited to see them again on the 30th.
Thank you Brian for posting these back stage blogs! Makes whoville part of the experience. I’m definitely looking forward to a stripped down version of The Who and amazed Pete & Roger still have the fire and magic! Rock is dead they say….long live rock! Excited and very optimistic this version of The Who will bring happiness, joy and excitement to all music fans!
Discovered The Who in 1988 after seeing them play substitute on the old brit awards thing for their 25th anniversary (I thought it was a sex pistols song at the time). Been to every gig I can since then, can’t make these so Hope you plan some in the UK. I’m sure they will be brilliant..they always are.
I hope everyone made it to London in time before Heathrow Airport closed down today
Toronto. Several concerts could be played at big or medium size venues and they would all sell out. So … book it.
The band could practice for the tour and hang out in Toronto or, better still, fantastic cottage country nearby.
Thank you for posting this, Brian! I’m beyond excited. If they’re testing out rare tunes, how about Love Aint’ For Keeping? I’d love to hear Pete’s guitar on that live! Or Gettin’ In Tune. Any of these rare materials from around Lifehouse/Who’s Next would rejoyce many loyal Who fans including myself.
Fascinating and I really can not wait to next week. My wishlist would ask for Pictured of Lilly and I Can see For Miles to be brought back to the setlist and as an outsider ‘Its Hard’. That is such an amazing song and I can not understand why its not been played since 1982. How about Red, Blue and Grey (Roger did an excellent job years ago closing his solo tours with that). Going Mobile too and definatly Magic Bus. I have see the band about 20 times and only seen it played twice. Once in 1989 and again in the early 2000’s at the O2 Indigo. Sister Disco would be nice to hear too.
Roll on Thursday. I, for one, would be delighted if the band include any songs from Numbers (50 years ago this year) that I haven’t heard them play before – Skip Kid, Imagine a Man, In a Hand or Face. Blue, Red and Grey might make a nice solo spot for Pete. Whatever, it’s going to be a great night. And, yes, will it be the last chance to see them perform?
hi, ich hoffe THE WHO kommen noch einmal nach Deutschland !!! Bitte !
Gruss Bernd W. von ZOE
What a splendid piece. First saw them at the Rainbow in 1979 and 29 shows since.
The Who are part of me and it has been a glorious love story.
Should be a belter of a show.
Been a diehard Who fan since 1990. I
‘ve seen the band twice in Norway.
I’m hoping they will release a Who By Numbers super deluxe box set in the future.
It’s also my favourite Who album.
Long live The Who, long live rock.
John Hogg! As in John Hogg from Hookah Brown and Magpie Salute?
If so, incredible talent
Looking forward to it!
Don
Many, many thanks Brian, excited for more updates!
I can’t wait!
Brian, I hope you can help me out. I have 2 great box seats for March 27 but my wife and I can’t make the show because her sister passed away from Prostate Cancer and the service is next week in Atlanta, Georgia. We would like to donate the tickets to a Who fan only asking that they make a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust. We live in Detroit, Michigan and I have been a huge Who fan for 50 years. I would hate to see these tickets go unused. I have the tickets on my UK Ticketmaster account and would like to forward them to you. I very much enjoy the Backstage Blog and hope this message reaches you. (313) 953-6207
Thank you to Roger and Pete for being still on a stage for all of us. Thank you to all the ones who work with and for them and help them.
Always a joy seeing you all again!
Love
Anna from Italy
Wow, that sounds promising! I‘m really looking forward to the show in Padova, that’s the nearest concert for us Austrians
I literally can’t wait! See you guys at the RAH!
We’ll take whatever we get…. And be grateful.
Brian,
I traveled to the UK last year and went to both of the RAH shows thinking it was their last but hoping it was not. Timing, money, life, etc. prevented me from going again this year. So, you need to know your Blogs are very special to us when we’re not able to be there in person.
So, Thank You a million times over!
PS. I think Loren should give you a moment and allow you to take the keys on Real Good Looking Boy. I was at that show!!!
Long Live R…. The Who!
Great assessment of the current state of The Who concerts. What a blessing this group is out making music and memories.
Fantastic BK
Hello Brian, Great to have you back keeping us all in the loop with all things Who. I really look forward to reading your blogs and just wanted to say a massive thanks for taking the time out to keep us all updated. Please keep up the good work it is very much appreciated.
Great to read this, good luck with the rehearsals and the shows
The Sphere in Las Vegas later this year I predict!!!!
from California
It’s nice to read your stuff again Brian – and to see the band is gearing up. Your comments about “the last show” really resonate with those of us in North American who have a sinking feeling that we may have seen our last live performances. But we’ll let hope spring eternal and, in the meantime, wish you all the best in the upcoming performances.
Although I won’t be there, it makes me happy to know the The OO are playing tomorrow.