The Who performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Chicago on May 21, 2019
Despite temperatures dipping down into the forties – and winds making it feel even colder – Chicago fans bundled up and hunkered down at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park to witness The Who’s May 21 performance on their North American Moving On! Tour.
Backed by a full orchestra, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and company presented compelling arrangements of many of their biggest hits including “Pinball Wizard” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – the latter of which featured several cheer-inducing windmills from the guitarist as well as a triumphant symphonic conclusion – during a Tommy sampler which opened the show.
Townshend commented on the cold weather along with his affinity for Chicago before teasing a song that The Who traditionally begins their sets with, that is when they aren’t opening with an epic rock opera.
That song was revealed to be “Who Are You” with a cymbal smack by drummer Zak Starkey while keyboardist Loren Gold laid the tracks for Townshend to savagely attack his guitar with as much rage as he first did back when the album of the same name dropped in 1978. The venue was soon filled with the sounds of fans singing “who, who, who, who” — unable to resist the magnetism of the chorus. Daltrey also strummed a guitar – as did guitarist and backup singer Simon Townshend – all the while howling the story of a wayward night.
The Who performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Chicago on May 21, 2019
One of the songs most enhanced by the orchestra proved to be the It’s Hard track “Eminence Front.” What was once a relatively sparse lead-in on the recording was transformed into a layered exploration of timing and syncopation. Once again, the tune placed the spotlight on Townshend’s playing, which began with a punch and ended with a wailing wallop of screeching solos.
Daltrey eked out every ounce of emotion during the tender ballad “Imagine a Man” while “Join Together” left fans powerless against the pull of another sing-along.
As the orchestra left the stage for a five-song segment, the frontman posed a question to the crowd.
“How do you live here,” Daltrey asked, referencing the chilly conditions. “It’s nearly June.”
Townshend directed his weather-related ire at promoters.
“Can’t they get the f*cking weather right,” he questioned dryly in his preferred variety of humor throughout the show.
The Who performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Chicago on May 21, 2019
The Who continued to give fans reason after reason to endure the cold. A delightful, throwback take on “The Kids Are Alright” jangled into “The Seeker.” “Won’t Get Fooled Again” – stripped down to an acoustic arrangement complete with Spanish-style strums – and “Behind Blue Eyes” further uncovered the timelessness of the music and the message of the band.
The full orchestra later returned for another dose of rock meets opera, this time in the form of Quadrophenia.
The Who plans to release a new album in the “fourth quarter” of this year. Until then, they will continue to tour across North America – including another Chicago-area stop at Alpine Valley Music Theatre on Sept. 8 – through the fall.
Check out photos from The Who’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Chicago show – which featured an opening set by Reignwolf – below and head over to TheWho.com for a full list of tour dates.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
