Photo by Jeff Kravitz

On Friday, The Who played an acoustic show at Royal Albert Hall in London, England, in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The performance featured bust-outs, a live debut and a return to some of Pete Townshend’s solo material. 

The single set performance began with “Substitution,” followed by “Squeeze Box,” which was restarted twice as Townshend was in the wrong key on the first take. Next, the band played “The Kids Are Alright,” the tune was restarted and played with a more extended reprise before the ensemble broke into 1966’s “Tattoo.”   

“Behind Blue Eyes” off the 1971 LP, Who’s Next, followed. Then, the band busted out “Real Good Looking Boy,” last played at Osaka-Jou Hall in Osaka, Japan, on Nov. 13, 2008. The Who played “Break the News,” which also played twice as Townshend was unhappy with the first take. 

They continued with “She Rocked My World” before The Who performed a live debut of “Beads on One String” in support of Ukraine. Next up, Townshend sang lead on “Eminence Front,” a tune typically sung by Roger Daltrey. “Pinball Wizard” ensued, followed by crowd-rousing “Who Are You.” 

The band busted out “Let My Love Open the Door” for the first time since Oct. 26, 1989. The tune was last played during The Who’s 1989 reunion tour, which was the only run to feature solo material from Townshend’s catalog. “Baba O’Riley” came next. The show concluded with just Townshend and Daltrey taking on “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” 

This year, The Who will celebrate their 60th anniversary. The rock legends will also embark on an epic two-part 2022 North American tour beginning on April 22 at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. Read the full story here.  

The Who 

Royal Albert Hall – London, England

March 25, 2022

Set: Substitution, Squeeze Box*, The Kids Are Alright^, Tattoo, Behind Blue Eyes, Real Good Looking Boy&,  Break the News%, She Rocked My World, Beads on One String#, Eminence Front@, Pinball Wizard, Who Are You, Let My Love Open the Door+, Baba O’Riley, Won’t Get Fooled Again~ 

Notes: 

* Performed twice

^ Restarted and played with a longer reprise 

& First time played since 2008

% Played twice 

# Live debut, in support of Ukraine 

@ Townshend on lead vocals 

+ First time played since 1989 

~ Pete and Roger only 

Setlist via Setlist.fm