The Who 2010 performances

The Who did four major performances in 2010, one as the halftime act for Super Bowl XLIV, one a benefit performance during the series of Teenage Cancer Trust concerts in London, one as the headline act at the 2010 Capital FM Summertime Ball concert and one at the FIFA Kick-off Celebration Concert at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

History

The Who were selected as the halftime entertainment for Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, the next in a trend of "classic rock" acts the event had featured in recent years, such as Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones. This was arguably the band's highest-profile performance to date, comparing only to their Live Aid and Live 8 appearances. In true Super Bowl halftime fashion, the band played a medley of well-known hits, with one song seamlessly run into the next and each song considerably abbreviated. As CBS covered the game, it was little surprise that all three of the band's songs used as CSI themes were included in the medley, which began with "Pinball Wizard" and concluded with "Won't Get Fooled Again". The group also played a short promotional acoustic date leading up to the event, their first show of any kind since April 2009.

On 30 March, the band resurrected Quadrophenia as part of that year's Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Kasabian's Tom Meighan as guest vocalists; the show also featured additional brass and string musicians, including violinist Tom Norris of the London Symphony Orchestra. This was the first performance of the rock opera since 1997, but it was presented in similar fashion with the same pre-recorded narrative shown on the video screen between songs to help explain the story. On 6 June, the band headlined the second Capital FM Summertime Ball concert at Wembley Stadium alongside JLS, Cheryl Cole, Justin Bieber, Usher and Rihanna. And on 10 June, the band helped start the FIFA World Cup of that year by taking part in a concert held at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

Tour band

• Roger Daltrey - lead vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar, tambourine
• Pete Townshend - lead guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals

Additional Members

• Pino Palladino - bass guitar
• Zak Starkey - drums
• John Bundrick - keyboards, piano
• Simon Townshend - rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
• Tom Norris – strings, backing vocals (30 March Quadrophenia show)
• Billy Nicholls - musical director, backing vocals, percussion (30 March Quadrophenia show)
• Elliott Ware - co-musical director, keyboards (30 March Quadrophenia show)

Set lists

Acoustic Super Bowl promotional appearance

Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey played a short acoustic set on 4 February in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to promote their upcoming Super Bowl performance. All songs written by Townshend:

1. "Behind Blue Eyes"
2. "Pinball Wizard "
3. "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Super Bowl XLIV halftime show

The band's set for the Super Bowl XLIV halftime show in Miami on 7 February comprised five abbreviated songs, all run together into one long medley. All songs written by Townshend:

1. "Pinball Wizard"
2. "Baba O'Riley"
3. "Who Are You"
4. "See Me, Feel Me"
5. "Won't Get Fooled Again"

London Teenage Cancer Trust Concert

The group's set at this show in London was a complete performance of Quadrophenia, with Eddie Vedder playing the part of The Godfather and Tom Meighan as The Ace Face. All songs written by Townshend:

1. "I Am the Sea"
2. "The Real Me"
3. "Quadrophenia"
4. "Cut My Hair"
5. "The Punk and the Godfather" (featuring Eddie Vedder)
6. "I'm One"
7. "The Dirty Jobs" (Simon Townshend on vocals)
8. "Helpless Dancer"
9. "Is It in My Head?"
10. "I've Had Enough" (featuring Eddie Vedder)
11. "5.15"
12. "Sea and Sand" (featuring Tom Meighan)
13. "Drowned" (Townshend solo acoustic)
14. "Bell Boy" (featuring Tom Meighan)
15. "Doctor Jimmy"
16. "The Rock"
17. "Love, Reign o'er Me"

Summertime Ball

The band played a supporting headline set at the concert at Wembley Stadium, London.

1. "My Generation"
2. "Pinball Wizard"
3. "Love, Reign o'er Me"
4. "Who Are You"
5. "Won't Get Fooled Again"

FIFA Kick-off Celebration Concert

The band played a set at the concert at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, South Africa.

1. "Baba O'Riley"
2. "My Generation"
3. "Substitute"
4. "Pinball Wizard"
5. "Love, Reign o'er Me"
6. "I Can See for Miles"
7. "Squeeze Box"
8. "You Better You Bet"
9. "Who Are You"
10. "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Performance dates

See also

• List of The Who tours and performances

External links

• The Who Online Concert Guide