Roger Daltrey has embarked on his solo U.S. tour, kicking off with a performance in Glenside, Pennsylvania. The iconic frontman of The Who delivered a setlist that blended classic hits from his legendary band with covers of songs by artists like Leo Sayer, Taj Mahal, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
During the show, Daltrey performed The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” but with a twist. He explained to the audience why he no longer includes the famous rock ‘n’ roll scream in the song. “It’s brutal, let me tell you. I’ve really wrecked my voice so many times,” he shared. “I’ve retired from the scream, but I’m still going to play the song. And we’re going to play the song with our synthesizers and do it on instruments, which is, well, entertaining.”
Daltrey also paid tribute to his friend John Fogerty by covering Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” He took a moment to highlight Fogerty’s struggle with music rights, noting, “This song now is by a really good friend of mine, had his publishing stolen 50 years ago by his manager, and didn’t sing his songs for all that time, 50 years. Until he got his publishing back and now he’s out on the road. I’ve been a fan ever since he started his band, a guy called John Fogerty. So right now, [we’ll] do a John Fogerty song, just to give him some PRS!”
Daltrey’s comment referenced the Performing Right Society, a British music copyright collective that distributes royalties to songwriters and composers.
The setlist for the night included a mix of The Who classics and covers, starting with Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door” and moving through songs like “Who Are You,” “The Kids Are Alright,” and “Baba O’Riley.” The audience was treated to a diverse range of music, showcasing Daltrey’s versatility and deep appreciation for various artists.
In a recent interview, Daltrey expressed his frustration with the trend of sharing setlists online. “Too many people reveal songs,” he told Billboard. “There’s no surprises left with concerts these days, ’cause everybody wants to see the setlist. I’m fucking sick of it. The Internet’s ruined the live shows for me. Who wants to know what’s coming next? People forget about surprises. I can’t stand it.”
For his current solo tour, Daltrey is focusing on acoustic elements and exploring new sounds. “I just want to branch out and do something different, where I’ve got different instrumentation and I can stop using tape loops,” he explained. “It just creates a whole new sound and allows me the freedom as a singer to put some other people’s songs in I’ve been fond of over the years. It’s gonna be quite interesting. I’m just determined to enjoy myself and explore the freedom I’ve got to do what I want to do on this tour, and let’s see where it ends up.”
The tour will continue with a performance on June 12 in Wolf Trap, Virginia. Fans can expect a mix of classic hits and unique covers, all delivered with Daltrey’s signature style and energy.
The setlist from the Glenside show included:
1. “Let My Love Open the Door” (Pete Townshend cover)
2. “Freedom Ride” (Taj Mahal cover)
3. “Who Are You” (The Who song)
4. “Waiting for a Friend”
5. “After the Fire”
6. “Days of Light”
7. “Giving It All Away” (Leo Sayer cover)
8. “The Kids Are Alright” (The Who song)
9. “Another Tricky Day” (The Who song)
10. “Squeeze Box” (The Who song)
11. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (The Who song)
12. “Going Back Home” (Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey cover)
13. “As Long as I Have You”
14. “Baba O’Riley” (The Who song)
15. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
16. “Without Your Love”
Daltrey’s solo tour is a testament to his enduring talent and passion for music. As he continues to perform across the U.S., fans can look forward to more unforgettable nights filled with classic hits and heartfelt covers.
