The Who live in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, 11. October 2019

Set list

Line Up

Roger Daltrey: Guitar, Vocals
Pete Townshend: Vocals, Guitar
Billy Nicholls: Backing Vocal
Zak Starkey: Drums
Simon Townshend: Backing Vocal, Guitar
Jon Button: Bass
Loren Gold: Backing Vocal, Keyboards
Keith Levenson: Conductor
Orchestra:

Note

Setlist not confirmed.

Newspapers

The Who kicks off the first of its 3 Hollywood Bowl shows with a rousing performance

Los Angeles Daily News, 12.10.2019

At the end of the night, after a thrilling performance of the Who classic “Baba O’Riley” that had all of us old folks in the Hollywood Bowl belting out lyrics about t...
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The Who Reinvent Themselves At The Hollywood Bowl

AlterLatino Music, 15.10.2019

Friday night, October 11, 2019, legendary British rock band, The Who, reinvented themselves once again, this time with a full orchestra, still lots of passion and a loyal fan base that...
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Fanreports

Paul Lyons

"I think Roger and I are the only members of the band who are not starving" so said Pete Townshend as he hit the stage before a single note was played at THE WHO's seventh appearance (since 1967) at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. The first of three 2019 "Moving On! shows at the Bowl was a triumph, succeeding in energy, pace and impact over the last time I saw THE WHO at the Hollywood Bowl in 2000. <br> After Peter Townshend's caustic opening remarks, the band, as well as a full orchestra launched into a moving and powerful six-song set from their landmark 1969 album Tommy. Fifty years after that classic album's release, with Roger Daltrey now 75 years old, and Pete Townshend at 74, (what remains of) THE WHO sounded shockingly good as the blew the (what seemed to be) sold out Hollywood Bowl crowd away some classic songs from their legendary rock opera. After "Who Are You," Townshend introduced "Eminence Front" with an ironic speech about not needing drink, drugs, or sex, however the song they were about to play was about those who didn't mind using cocaine (and other spoils) so much. The song sounded just as good as when I first saw THE WHO perform it at Shea Stadium in 1982. Introducing "Imagine A Man," Townshend discussed that it was a song he disliked when theu recorded it in 1975, yet Daltrey was responsible for bringing the Who By Numbers deep cut into the set after performing it on Daltrey's solo tour. The combination of Roger Daltrey's sensitive and tasteful vocals with the band and orchestra outside at the Bowl made "Imagine A Man" sound wonderful and sublime, a highlight of the night. The new track "Hero Ground Zero" did not sound that good, and was greeted with a lukewarm response (the livelier new song, "Ball and Chain" faired better) yet the early 60's tracks "Substitute" and "The Kids Are Alright" sounded fabulous. 1981's "You Better You Bet" sounded good as well, yet the following song was far far better. Performed acoustically, featuring only Roger Daltrey's voice and Pete Townshend's guitar and vocals, The Who's Next classic "Wont Get Fooled Again" took on a whole new life, creating a performance that faithfully evoked the original 1971 recording while at the same time redefining both the message and strength of the song in a meaningful way. It was unique and beautiful, and a real treat to experience. On the other side of the coin, the arrangement of "Behind Blue Eyes" sounded tepid, and the guts of the Quadrophenia songs were removed when the oversaturated orchestral arrangements kicked in. The instrumental "The Rock" was an odd addition to the Quadrophenia songs, and did not sound nearly half as strong as when THE WHO performed it during the 1996-97 tour, or in 2013. Only the spare "I'm One", with Townshend on vocals came close to the spirit of what Quadrophenia originally sounded like. However, THE WHO immediately returned to great form with a spectacular number that closed out the night: "Baba O'Reilly." Witnessing THE WHO perform the classic 1971 Who's Next track with a violinist (replicating the violin on the record) was a transcendent experience, and reminded me once again why I love the music of THE WHO so much. It was a terrific way to end a terrific show. Without the benefit of the brilliant explosive drummer Keith Moon (who died in 1978), and the thunderfingers of the great "Ox" John Entwistle (who died in 2002), there really can't be a WHO, and last night's Hollywood Bowl concert featured at best (and as Townshend often proclaimed) a great WHO cover band. However, Roger Daltrey's vocals were the best I've heard him sing in many years. For the first time at any WHO concert, it felt as if Daltrey was the real star of the evening. Yet Pete Townshend was no slouch either. Making irreverent comments all through the night, and playing guitar with a fierce, unabated energy (windmills and all) Pete Townshend seems to have lost none of his edge. His energy pierced through crowd and could never be ignored. THE WHO at the Hollywood Bowl in 2019, and it was great. WHO knew it could be so good?