8 Sep 2025
Thursday 4 September 2025, Toronto, ON
Show Report: Sept 4, 2025; Budweiser Stage, Toronto
After our last show here, a highly successful one, we have returned after a day off. So this portends great things because…
– The last show left us all feeling so positive.
– We’ve all had a full day of rest, no travel at all.
– Everything just resets to what it was about a day ago, no surprises here.
Yes, indeed; even though we had to unload everything from the first show back onto the trucks and move it all away for one day (to make room for another concert here on our ‘day off’), coming back in was such a breeze: The local helpers knew us, even remembered where we put things before, and also when to get out of our hair and let us work. As a result, the fastest load-in setup I can ever recall.
Pete’s guitar tech Simon Law, above and below
Even your Backstage Blogger gets a chance to play some guitar!
VIP soundcheck happens, the people file in, sitting pretty close up to the stage. But we’re told Roger’s not able to come in. Pete talks on the microphone, admitting this is not what people signed up for. However (and this is pretty cool) he starts our soundcheck just by himself, jamming on electric guitar for about 10 minutes: He’s come in before the band, specifically to work on his guitar sound and settings without any distractions. For most of The Who fans, they would be very pleased to see even a little of this. Pete says that maybe they should give the people half their money back . . . and then jokes “Well, maybe just 45%” (jokingly implying he’s worth just a little bit more to them). The band work on some different songs; ‘Eminence Front’, ‘Going Mobile’ (which has had some rough endings recently), ‘Who Are You’, etc. It’s a good workout and we’re certain Roger will be rested and ready when the time comes.
Video courtesy of firehawk12
Once again, Tom Cochrane is opening. I’d mentioned his band, cool as they are. They return and rock just as much (without Alex Lifeson this night.) As I said before, they are a very good pairing to The Who. This feels very much like the classic guitar rock we all know and love.
It’s a nice night tonight, and even cooler by a little, makes it feel a little extra energetic. I sense some urgency or extra attention from the crowd; just a little more intense and less laid-back than the group we had on the first night. (I wonder how many have returned tonight, maybe inspired by that last one?) ‘I Can’t Explain’ starts the show, and at the end, it seemed that Pete needed to adjust his amp again, just a little more. Hopefully, the soundcheck jam helped a lot.
Video courtesy of HappyPsychoBunny1
By ‘Substitute’, I realize the crowd IS more wild and enthusiastic than the previous show here, which bodes well for it being a strong one. Pete’s waiting for Roger to get on his guitar for ‘Who Are You’, so he talks a bit – “This next one is a question. Who the F*** are you?!” which brings a laugh and a cheer into the big song. Afterward, Pete sees someone in the audience, mentions he has a beard and a checked shirt. Evidently the guy had seen Pete in town while in a car, and asked for an autograph – Pete had told him to “go away” – but PT laughs and says “But you came tonight anyway!” pleased that the loyal fan had not held it against him. ‘The Seeker is strong’ – we get extra windmills from our fabulous lead guitarist – he’s feeling good and sounding good. ‘Long Live Rock’ – such a great feel on this one, killer piano riffs from Loren, and Jon Button really playing a solid groove that gets people moving. Roger belts out the memorable bridge “Rock is dead . . .” and laughs loudly afterward. ‘Love Ain’t For Keeping’ came out really strong tonight, more meaning and soulful, with a good steady pace.
The amazing voice of John Hogg . . .
Video courtesy of Pure and Easy
‘Eminence Front ‘is a standout tonight. Well, usually it is anyway, but Pete’s guitar work – he is growing more adventurous each night, from the front pre-intro to the solos during the song; he’s going half Sun-Ra / half Hendrix. It’s cool to see him take chances, and this is no clone of 1960s Who, yet a progressive/modern approach to their big radio/MTV hit.
Video courtesy of Pure and Easy
‘You Better You Bet’ – I think this may be Pete’s best bridge section (songwriting-wise) or maybe it’s ‘Sister Disco’ that is? Lots of good candidates out there.
Before ‘Going Mobile’, Roger states “I’d like to introduce my brother” meaning Simon Townshend. “He’s a great talent in his own right. He sings this one, and suddenly it’s a different show. And I can have a cup of tea!” Yes, it’s a great tune, very welcome energetically, and gives Rog a needed break as we have some heavy vocal lifting coming up. BTW – Roger’s stage tea is chamomile. Now you know.
I do love the way Roger still sings the echoes at the end of ‘The Real Me’; keeping it like the record. It just wouldn’t sound the same without it! Loren starts ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ with the dramatic piano part. I’ve notice how good the live piano sounds have gotten over the years. Thanks in part to our friends at Korg (Pete is also a heavy Korg user at home) and our rep Tom Cusimano who keeps us in good shape with their coolest/newest gear.
‘Love Reign O’er Me’– of course, the usual, stunning. Not much else to say but it’s probably the peak moment for many people. ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, ‘Baba O’Riley’ – the 1-2 punch is there. And Roger and Pete both sing “Don’t cry, don’t raise your eye” together – with the audience trying to drown them both out. ‘The Song is Over’ is the penultimate one again tonight, a soulful and melodic way to say goodbye, and the video is a stylized stage and some images from the past, reflecting on where this band’s been – likely in a last run through here.
Video courtesy of Pure and Easy
Ah well, it may be so, seems real this time, I must say. But that’s not sad – it’s COOL that we even have a chance to do this. As Roger said recently – he wants it done before they can’t do it well.
Goodbye, Toronto – so many great memories here for you and us all. It’s been wonderful and these two evenings are the only shows to get even close to the big Boston show. That’s an injection of goodness and positivity that’s so helpful, and also a sign that things are growing in the right direction!
Onward! – let’s go . . .
Tonight’s track list follows this photo so if you don’t wish to know, please look no further! . . .
I Can’t Explain
Substitute
Who Are You
The Seeker
Long Live Rock
Pinball Wizard
See Me, Feel Me / Listening to You
Love Ain’t for Keeping
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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