New York fans of The Who can recall numerous Madison Square Garden triumphs by the band throughout their incredible history. Their five night sold out run in 1979 comes to mind, as does the legendary Concert for New York City held a month after 9/11 where most rock fans and critics agree, it was British buskers Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey who stole the show.
Their most anticipated stop of the band’s farewell tour
New York fans of The Who can recall numerous Madison Square Garden triumphs by the band throughout their incredible history. Their five night sold out run in 1979 comes to mind, as does the legendary Concert for New York City held a month after 9/11 where most rock fans and critics agree, it was British buskers Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey who stole the show.
You can now add one more ionic Who concert to the list.
It was an unabashed love-fest at the band’s final show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden show last night [August 20, 2925], arguably their most anticipated stop on the band’s The Song Is Over: The North American Farewell Tour.
The sold-out crowd, most of whom appeared to be in their 40’s and 50’s, sang along at numerous checkpoints of the band’s incomparable canon, with a wistful and energetic Townsend still playing guitar like a man on fire. One of rock’s most prolific and influential songwriters, he cited early on in the show that he and Daltrey’s appearance marked the band’s 36th show at the venue, sadly noting “and it probably won’t happen again.”
A testament to Daltrey and Townshend’s enduring chemistry
Tearing through hardscrabble openers like “Can’t Explain” and “Substitute” got the audience rolling, but it was Daltrey’s cock-sure call-and-response of a funky serving of “Who Are You” that really met the moment. A spirited Townsend remarked afterwards “I’m sure you people all work hard for a living, let me tell you this job is fucking easy,” then playfully teased a slightly winded Daltrey: “I’m sure Roger would disagree.”
But it’s a testament to the duo’s enduring chemistry that Townsend’s impish mood seemed to prod Daltrey on to even greater vocal heights. Known for taking meticulous care of his voice, the singer stunned the audience on a number of Who classics via a medley of Tommy touchstones, including “See Me, Feel Me” and “Pinball Wizard”, and later with a seismic sample of songs from their sixth studio album, 1973’s trailblazing Quadrophenia. The straight-talking, no-nonsense 81 year old (talk about casting, Daltrey was born in working-class Acton in the midst of a WW2 bombing raid) delivered arena-shaking versions of “The Real Me” and the heart wrenching “Love, Reign O’er Me”, which caused Townsend to exclaim “Roger is blowing us away tonight.”
The mercurial Townsend got his vocal licks in too, his voice taking on a more visceral quality with age, particularly wrapped around the rare 1974 Odds & Sods gem “Long Live Rock”, which the band hasn’t played live since 2014. The audience faithfully chimed in, with Townsend introducing the track as a tad “Shakespearean – the king is dead long live the king. I didn’t think any of us would last this long…” Keyboardist Loren Gold also stood out on the raucous hymn.
A delicate balance of dedication and pressure
New Yorkers have had a love affair with the Who ever since their first show as part of Murray the K’s series of concerts in 1967. And yes, there was some smashing of guitars at the end of that gig. No Fender shards at this Garden finale, but Townsend recreated his signature windmill at multiple points during the two hour and twenty minute New York farewell (with Daltrey matching his partner’s chord sustaining wind-up on a blistering “5:15” with his own iconic mic-twirl) the pair expertly meshing bombast and poignancy as the concert wound down.
The band did not disappoint with their beloved showstoppers, leveling a primal but flawless “Won’t Get Fooled again” and mesmerizing “Baba O’Reily” – that song resonating as the best performance of the night, including the Who’s new drummer Scott Devours’ crackling drum work and a surprise appearance by violinist Katie Jacoby (who appeared with the band on their 2022 Orchestral tour). Townsend and Daltrey’s acoustic pairing of “The Song Is Over” and the melancholy “Tea And Theatre” closed out the night. After a moving rendition of the latter, Daltrey’s arm draped around Townsend’s shoulder, the guitarist revealed the two have been playing together since 1961. “I was at school. He (Roger) came to fetch me; ‘you’re in my band. See you at 6:30.”’
“Or else,” quipped Daltrey.
That delicate balance of dedication and pressure was on full display at the Garden last night, with Townsend and Daltrey crossing the finishing line as one of the last remaining legacy bands who still give it their all.
As one New York Who fan put it on the way out of the city’s most iconic rock venue, “I’m glad we were able to say goodbye to them too.”
The Who’s set list Madison Square Garden, New York, August 30, 2025
I Can’t Explain
Substitute
Who Are You
The Seeker
Long Live Rock
Pinball Wizard
See Me, Feel Me
Love Ain’t for Keepin’
Behind Blue Eyes
Eminence Front
My Generation
Cry If You Want
You Better You Bet
Going Mobile
The Real Me
I’m One
5:15
Love, Reign O’er Me
Won’t Get Fooled Again
Baba O’Riley
The Song Is Over
Tea & Theatre
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