The legendary British band The Who kicked off their highly anticipated farewell tour, titled The Song Is Over , last Saturday, the 20th. The show took place in Piazzolla sul Brenta, Italy.
The performance marked not only the start of the tour, but also the debut of drummer Scott Devours . Devours took over the position from Zak Starkey , Ringo Starr , after the controversies surrounding his departure.
The tour will visit other cities in Italy and the United Kingdom before heading to North America.
With a setlist of 20 songs, the band delivered a show full of classics. The performance included "I Can't Explain," "Who Are You," "Baba O'Riley," and "Won't Get Fooled Again," which closed the night with great emotion and nostalgia.
Despite the unexpected setback suffered by vocalist Roger Daltrey , who had to kneel on stage due to an apparent leg cramp, the performance was marked by the audience's emotion ( via NME News ).
Besides Daltrey and Pete Townshend (guitarist), the current lineup includes Simon Townshend (guitarist), Loren Gold (keyboardist), Jon Button (bassist), John Hogg (backing vocalist), and the newcomer Devours on drums.
Zak Starkey's controversial departure
The controversy began after two performances in March 2025, when the vocalist reportedly complained publicly about the intensity of Starkey's drumming. Daltrey even interrupted the show to express his dissatisfaction.
Shortly after those shows, the band fired him for the first time, and reinstated him a few days later. The guitarist, Pete Townshend, explained that there were "communication problems" between the musicians .
However, in May, Starkey was removed from the tour again . The drummer claims he was instructed to lie about the reasons for his departure. He states that they suggested he tell the audience he left the band to focus on new projects ( via People ).
According to the drummer, he refused, stating that he never asked to leave and the band effectively fired him, not retired him.
Unlike past tours that carried the label of "farewell," this time the ending seems definitive.
Pete stated that he feels in top form, but that this is the right time to stop. For him, it's the ideal moment, while everything still sounds good and he's in control.
READ ALSO : Scott Devours, The Who's new drummer, speaks out for the first time.
