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The Who Fall Tour Kickoff: Photos + Review

Last night (September 1), the Who kicked off their fall U.S. tour at New York’s Madison Square Garden.  The show, which saw the band accompanied by a 48 piece orchestra,…

Roger Daltrey, Zak Stakey and Pete Townshend

The Who

Maria Ives

Last night (September 1), the Who kicked off their fall U.S. tour at New York's Madison Square Garden.  The show, which saw the band accompanied by a 48 piece orchestra, had a wide ranging setlist which extended from 1966's "Substitute" to two songs from the band's upcoming album: "Hero Ground Zero" and "Big Cigars." It included some of their biggest hits -- including "Who Are You," "You Better You Bet" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" -- as well as one rarity, "Imagine A Man" from 1975's The Who By Numbers, and extended trips through 1969's Tommy and 1973's Quadrophenia.

The band -- Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, along with longtime drummer Zak Starkey, guitarist Simon Townshend, keyboardist Loren Gold and bassist Jon Button -- had their share of mishaps throughout the night, with Daltrey stuggling with his in-ear monitors and Townshend's voice giving out before his first lead vocal of the night ("Eminence Front").

And yet, the band rallied and gave a transcendent performance. Townshend often admitted that the band weren't on the top of their game, but no apologies were necessary: while their younger counterparts rely on backing tapes, there was a certain excitement to seeing a legendary band actually make mistakes. Even if they weren't perfect, they were still great.

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of the Who

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Pete Townshend of The Who

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Roger Daltrey of The Who

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Zak Starkey of The Who's live band

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Pete Townshend of The Who

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Pete Townshend of The Who

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Roger Daltrey of The Who

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Roger Daltrey of The Who

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Roger Daltrey of the Who

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Pete Townshend of the Who

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Roger Daltrey of The Who

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Pete Townshend of The Who

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Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey

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Roger Daltrey of The Who

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Pete Townshend of the Who

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Simon Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend

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Simon Townshend

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Simon Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend

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Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend

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Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend

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Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey

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Roger Daltrey, Zak Stakey and Pete Townshend

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The Who


Pete Townshend of The Who

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Zak Starkey

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Roger Daltrey of The Who

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Roger Daltrey of the Who

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Pete Townshend of The Who

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Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.