The Who kick off TCT at The Royal Albert Hall concert series – photos and setlist
They played a 21-song set with an orchestra
Last updated 19th Mar 2024
The Who played a rapturously received hit-packed set as they kicked off the Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall concert series last night (Monday 18th March).
This week’s run of TCT shows at the world-famous London venue have added gravitas as it’s Roger Daltrey’s last year as the curator and driving force of the event.
The 80-year-old Who vocalist has helped raise a massive £32 million over 24 trailblazing years, and he will continue as a Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron.
It seemed highly fitting then, that The Who opened the concert series this year while flanked by a sprawling orchestra for much of the set.
Beginning the 21-song performance with their 1964 anthem ‘I Can’t Explain’, The Who proceeded to play several ‘Tommy’ tracks as the orchestra swelled to Roger’s vocals and Pete’s trademark guitar sound.
With some jocular confusion over the set list - Roger: “this means f--- all, because I can’t see it!”- their on stage chat fuelled ever more performing heights and the classics kept coming - ‘My Generation’, ‘The Kids Are Alright’, a blistering ‘Substitute’ and show stopping ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’.
The orchestra returned for a triumphant last set, thundering through ‘The Real Me’, ‘5.15’, an incredible ‘Love, Reign O’er Me’, finishing with ‘Baba O’Reilly’ provoking a crescendo of acclaim from the capacity crowd.
Earlier in the night, Squeeze played a storming set loaded with anthems like ‘Labelled With Love’ ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, ‘Tempted’ and finale ‘Cool For Cats.’
The Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall concert series continues tonight with A Night of Comedy before Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Young Fathers, and The Chemical Brothers all headline throughout the week.
The final night on Sunday 25th March is called Ovation- A Celebration of 24 Years of Gigs For Teenage Cancer Trust, and it features Roger’s friends and fans, many of those who helped establish these gigs as a celebrated annual event.
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend will both perform alongside Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller and Stereophonics vocalist Kelly Jones.
See photos of The Who and Squeeze at Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2024:
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The Who's setlist
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The Who's setlist at Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2024:
I Can't Explain
Overture
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Pinball Wizard
We're Not Gonna Take It
Who Are You
Eminence Front
Band Only
The Kids Are Alright
You Better You Bet
Substitute
My Generation
Cry If You Want
Won't Get Fooled Again
Behind Blue Eyes
The Real Me
I'm One
5:15
The Rock
Love, Reign O'er Me
Baba O'Riley