Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey were on on jovial form, this afternoon, at the press conference to announce their 28-date European tour.
Having just finished the North American leg of their worldwide tour, The Who tour will now call at fourteen European countries, staring in Lisbon, Portugal on May 16.
In addition to the already confirmed headline slot at the Glastonbury festival, there are a further nine UK dates, including two nights at London’s Wembley Arena.
Townshend is especially pleased to be returning to the Isle Of Man, where he went to school as a boy; they make a pit stop to play the annual TT motorcycle event on May 30.
Joining Townshed and Daltrey on stage once more will be Pino Pallandino on bass, Zak Starkey on drums, John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick on keyboards and Pete’s younger brother Simon on guitar.
Speaking about the European dates, Townshend said,”It goes on and on and on and on. It gets better and better and better and better. It is more and more fun. If you want to catch the new Who at their most effective for twenty years, come and join us.”
To reiterate their musical prowess, Townshend and Daltrey played four tracks acoustically at the conference, Townshend quipping “to prove we still have what it takes!”
They played two tracks from their 1971 classic album “Who’s Next” – “Won’t Get Fooled Again,”and “Behind Blue Eyes.”
They also played songs from last year’s “Endless Wire” – “Mike Post Theme” (dedicated to Hill Street Blues) and “Tea & Theatre” showing that their newer material is just as good as ever.
The Who will play the following venues in the UK and Ireland in May and June:
Birmingham, National Indoor Arena (May 22)
Sheffield, Arena (23)
Newcastle, Metro Arena (25)
Hull, City Football Club (26)
Isle Of Man, TT Festival (30)
Swansea, City Football Club (June 1)
Southampton, Rose Bowl (2)
Cheshire, Knowsley Hall (23)
Somerset, Glastonbury Festival (24)
London, Wembley Arena (26/27)
Dublin, Marley Park (29)
Cork, Live At Marquee (30)
Click here for full tour details