Legendary rock and rollers The Who took over the TD Garden on Wednesday night on a spectacular evening for music. Fans of all ages gathered in the arena to see the band return on the first leg of their 2022 North American Tour, and the energy was vibrant on all fronts.
Kicking things off would be singer songwriter Amythyst Kiah. Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Kiah’s soulful energy captured the crowd immediately, with a strong sound and powerful vocals. With tracks like “Sleeping Queen”, “Wild Turkey”, and the anthemic “Black Myself”, Amethyst Kiah brought deep feelings of blues, especially in her lyrics. A short but exciting set that left the audience wanting for more.
It was time for The Who to take the stage, and the second they walked out it as clear everyone in the room was standing in front of legends. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend were joined on stage by a 48 piece orchestra assembled by local musicians in its entirety, led by conductor Keith Levenson. The stunning setup and monumental sound took the audience aback, working its way up to the first big moment of the night, Tommy‘s “Pinball Wizard”. Daltrey’s signature mic swinging matched Townshend’s iconic playing stance, making the crowd wild every single time. The show would be divided into sections, with the band playing on their own for tracks like “The Seeker” and “You Better You Bet”. One of the highlights of the night was the build up to Roger Daltrey’s piercing scream in “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, followed by “Behind Blue Eyes”.
Townshend would introduce the Quadrophenia album section of the show, kicking off with “The Real Me”, all the way up to “Love, Reign O’er Me”. Another highlight would be the instrumental “The Rock”, not only showcasing all performers on stage, but also matching a video montage of historical events that would include nods to drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle, as a tribute to their untimely passings. The closer would be the iconic “Baba O’Riley”, as well as a quick Happy Birthday to Pete Townshend, on the eve of his 77th birthday.
It’s not often that we get to be in the presence of rock royalty, and Wednesday night was yet another opportunity to experience a band like The Who, proof of their sheer power and longevity across all generations. Make sure to catch them in a city near you.
THE WHO
AMYTHYST KIAH
Photos by Maria Alejandra Mata
Keep up with The Who: Twitter / Instagram / Facebook
Keep up with Amythyst Kiah: Twitter / Instagram / Facebook
