Defying their 1969 anthem “My Generation” which famously declared an early death preference over aging, rock legends The Who—now octogenarians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey—delivered a masterclass in rock endurance at Milan’s Parco della Musica. This second Italian stop on their “The Song Is Over” farewell tour followed a July 20 performance for 6,000 fans in Piazzola sul Brenta.
The concert opened with a poignant tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away earlier that day. Giant screens displayed Osbourne’s iconic bat-costume image before the band dedicated their breakthrough 1964 single “I Can’t Explain” to him—the song that launched their six-decade career.
Townshend, dressed entirely in white, revived his signature windmill guitar strokes, while Daltrey, sporting sunglasses and jeans, commanded the stage with vocal prowess during “Love, Reign O’er Me.” Choosing Italy to commence their final global tour—named after a track from their seminal 1971 album “Who’s Next”—the band traversed their catalog with a 20-song setlist spanning era-defining works like “Tommy” (1969) and “Quadrophenia” (1973).
Highlights included “Substitute” (1966), “Pinball Wizard,” “See Me, Feel Me,” and a “Quadrophenia” suite featuring “The Real Me” and “5:15.” Introducing “The Seeker,” Townshend remarked: “This was written in a Florida swamp amid mosquitoes—perfect for 2025.” Backed by Simon Townshend (rhythm guitar), Jon Button (bass), Loren Gold (keyboards), Scott Devours (drums), and John Hogg (backing vocals), the Mod icons closed with a harmonica-fueled “Baba O’Riley” and an explosive “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” returning for an emotional “The Song Is Over” encore that confirmed this tour as their swan song. The band now heads to Europe, Britain, and North America to celebrate their 60-year legacy.