Rock Concert Review: The Who Deliver a Powerful Farewell Performance at Fenway Park
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – Legendary rock band The Who delivered what may be their final Boston concert on Tuesday night at Fenway Park, capping decades of groundbreaking performances with a show that balanced fiery anthems, heartfelt tributes, and poignant reflections.
A Night of Highs, Lows, and Legacy
Frontmen Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, both in their eighties, commanded the stage with an energy that defied their age. While the night wasn’t flawless — a bobbled ending to “Won’t Get Fooled Again” reminded fans of the physical toll time takes — the performance still carried the chaotic brilliance that has defined The Who since the 1960s.
Instead of relying solely on nostalgia, the band breathed fresh arrangements into their catalog. Townshend’s trademark windmill guitar strums electrified the crowd, while Daltrey pushed his vocals with signature grit. Together, they reaffirmed that The Who’s music remains as urgent and vital as ever.
Classic Anthems Reimagined
The nearly two-hour concert opened with “I Can’t Explain” and quickly moved into “Substitute,” before delivering crowd favorites like “Who Are You,” “The Seeker,” and “Love Ain’t for Keeping.” A condensed version of Tommy — pairing “Pinball Wizard” with “See Me, Feel Me” — provided one of the night’s most emotional highlights.
The show’s centerpiece came with a four-song run from Quadrophenia, including “The Real Me,” “I’m One,” “5:15,” and “Love, Reign O’er Me.” Daltrey’s soaring vocals and Townshend’s inventive guitar work made this segment a reminder of The Who’s unmatched storytelling power in rock opera form.
The band closed with “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” timeless anthems that resonated with as much force in 2025 as they did in the 1970s.
Emotional Farewell Moments
The encore brought fans an unexpected choice: instead of the tour’s usual closer “The Song Is Over,” Daltrey and Townshend ended the night with “Tea and Theater.” The stripped-down performance felt like an intimate farewell, emphasizing the emotional bond between the band and their fans.
As images of late bandmates Keith Moon and John Entwistle flashed across giant screens, the concert doubled as both a celebration of The Who’s history and a reminder of the bandmates who are no longer here.
Opening Act: The Joe Perry Project
The evening began with The Joe Perry Project, featuring Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson, and Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo. Their 45-minute set leaned heavily on Aerosmith classics such as “Last Child” and “Walk This Way,” with Robinson’s powerhouse vocals energizing the crowd. Perry even slipped in a nod to The Who by teasing Mose Allison’s “Young Man Blues,” famously covered on The Who’s Live at Leeds.
If this truly marks the end of The Who’s touring career, they leave behind a rock legacy that continues to inspire generations. Their Fenway Park farewell wasn’t just a concert — it was a declaration that rock and roll’s spirit endures, even as time marches on. For more concert reviews and festival coverage, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.