25 Jul 2025

Sunday 20 July 2025, Piazzola Sul Brenta, Villa Contarini, Padova, Italy

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to call the location of a show. Padova is a small city, and we’re out away from the center of it at a rather historic castle/estate called Villa Contarini – or rather, the plaza called Piazzola sul Brenta just in front of it. (Originally we were supposed to play in the port city of Trieste, then it got moved maybe twice, and Padova is right outside legendary Venice, so who knows what to call all this.)

Italy is fluid/flexible/unreliable – but full of life and style. All around us are impressions of the great eras of Italy, back in the 14th – 16th centuries when many of the stunning cities and statues were created, and more recently the 1940s -70s when Italian style was a European/worldwide influence in buildings, fashion, cars etc. Of course, those cool Italian scooters were core to the Mod style of the ‘60s. Vespa, Lambretta, etc. Italy was and is cool, style-wise.

Our first show is here, and it’s a scorcher, too hot outside. Luckily, we’re allowed a partial load-in the evening before – still as hot as blazes even as the sun is going down. Set-up early allows the crew to get about half the equipment ready, a process that is always slower on these early shows as we find our way. Tomorrow, we will resume and finish. We return mid-day, with ample time needed for finishing up and checking it all – and that IS quite useful. We’re still struggling just against the heat – nearly 100º F all day, and eventually they get portable tents over the burning stage gear to keep it (and the band) from melting. They come in early evening to soundcheck, struggle through some songs. Roger agrees it’s not the best way to hear the sound, with tents, and Pete actually has his removed to “fix” the sound to normal. But the heat is savage and the guitar becomes unplayable as the neck literally warps and bends (only a few millimetres, but enough to ruin his string heights for now).

At sundown, around 9.00pm, we’re finally off – a real Who show of a new era. With a simple “Hello!” from Pete, they start into ‘I Can’t Explain’. The crowd are to be expected: younger by a few years, lots of Who shirts, and very tanned and good-looking, of course. TONS of smokers, which is a throwback to the olden days – I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen ashtrays hanging all around a stage! (And it doesn’t seem to bother Roger at all out here). So the setting is fine, the band are slowly getting on their feet and adjusting. After Pete makes a quick amp adjustment, ‘Substitute’ is next, a classic ‘60s Who vibe is the initial kickoff. Nice to see we have some new video – and this graphic is a set of 60s-era English flats/apartments. Then into ‘Who Are You’, always a strong piece, and the crowd are definitely more excited.

Video courtesy of the Gazzas 

As I’m the one who starts off the famous backing track, I have to watch the whole stage: Is the drummer drinking water? Is Pete ready to go? Is Rog doing something? It’s a conflict sometimes as you COULD wait all night until everything seems ready, but tonight, Roger’s guitar is not out to him yet – and all the others are glaring at me to start; “Go, go, go!” while the energy starts to fall. Yes, timing between songs can really lose the momentum of a show, so you can’t wait too long. I start the track – and Roger doesn’t have his guitar on yet – but I know that’s not critical to the big opening moment, and I take some angry glances my way. Mea Culpa – but we do know what we’re doing, it’s just not ideal…

Video courtesy of sergiopigo 

“Well, I hope some of you speak English?” Pete shouts out after that song. “I don’t think WE do very well . . .” Roger jokes. Pete explains that – like every band says – they are glad to be back and really do love playing in Italy. (Truth: almost every Latin audience – Spain, Italy, Mexico, South America) is mad for The Who – they just love it. He introduces the next one: ‘Love Ain’t For Keeping’ which Roger starts with a strong blast of the perfect notes.

‘Bargain’ is next up, and things are starting to solidify. Again, Roger is nailing that incredible power note that he defined back in the early ‘70s – and he’s still right on it, not shying away at all. Just astounding. Things are still not gelled together fully, but not bad. It’s starting to feel like something we’ve done before many times. After ‘The Seeker’ the crowd spontaneously start chanting “WHO, WHO, WHO, WHO . . .” as they push into ‘Pinball Wizard’; the song everybody in the world seems to know. Another new hi-tech video is rolling behind this one with a cool Vespa scooter image.

Afterward, Pete and Rog take a tea and water break, while Pete comments on the immense and stately structure right off the side of the stage. “Obviously someone very, very rich lived here at one time” Yes, indeed. We think of the rich now, but even billionaires today don’t have such incredible castle-like home estates anymore.

And then, “We’re going to play five songs from Quadrophenia, with a little bit of luck . . .”

‘The Real Me” – such a great number. Really a strong number for the bass and drums, but Pete really starts to get into the music now. ‘I’m One’ is up, softer and more intimate, which really works now as we’re into the dark twilight of the sky, and the lights suddenly become more useful and effective onstage. ‘I’ve Had Enough’ is in – really a pretty tense song throughout. It’s not one of the big ones of Quadrophenia, but it really tells the story of Jimmy losing it. ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ closes the Quadrophenia set – stunning as always. “Rog, Rog, Rog, Rog . . .” is the chant from the crowd. They’re not a crazy bunch, not physically so – but they do like this chanting stuff.

‘Eminence Front’ is up and this time, Roger has to put on a guitar again before I can start the backing. But Binky, his longtime roadie, is taking a long while to get onstage – he’s got a guitar, a cable, and a cuppa fresh tea. But all we see is Binky handing the tea to the cameraman?! More delays? But it turns out he was trying to bring the guitar, a cable, and the hot tea all out to Roger and couldn’t manage – he asked the cameraman to help hold the tea – and he dropped it. Oy! So the song begins, a good vocal break for Roger and always one of Pete’s great guitar opportunities in these shows.

The current “medley” section is ‘My Generation’ into ‘Cry If You Want’ (more of a jam opportunity, like the old ‘My Generation Blues’ component of the olden days), with sort of a quick turn into ‘See Me, Feel Me’. It’s a good way to nod to Tommy again – they’re not fitting in much of that versus the singles and Quadrophenia. The BIG numbers (‘Baba O’Riley’ and ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’) are always a hit, both with casual fans and die-hards. Perfect music for a big concert really.

Video courtesy of Pavel Bratsky

So – it was a classic “first show”. Not great, honestly, but fewer problems than we’ve had (I remember when Pete stormed offstage before the end of the first Quadrophenia and More tour in Florida!) Roger seemed the more solid of the two, having been touring a good amount in the last year. Pete has definitely recovered from the knee surgery of February, but just has a lot of parts and changes to remember. It’s hard to “let go” and feel it when you’re thinking so much. And the sounds and such are taking some time to get used to. But when you’re in a big crowd like this, outside in the beautiful summer air, great songs blasting – and probably a few local beers inside you; it’s probably a superb and memorable night. “Final” anything – dubious, on my part – but it’s certainly the last time we’ll ever be here in this cool place!

Onward!

TONIGHT’S SET LIST
Warning: Look away now if you don’t wish to know!

I Can’t Explain
Substitute
Who Are You
Love Ain’t for Keeping
Bargain
The Seeker
Pinball Wizard
Behind Blue Eyes
The Real Me
5:15
I’m One
I’ve Had Enough
Love, Reign O’er Me
Eminence Front
My Generation
Cry If You Want
See Me, Feel Me
You Better You Bet
Baba O’Riley
Won’t Get Fooled Again