The Who is digging into its vaults to offer the first official release of a live album record in 1971 at The Oval, a cricket ground located in Kennington, a district in South London. Live at The Oval 1971 will be released on August 22, shortly after The Who launches the 2025 North American leg of its The Song Is Over farewell tour.
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The album, which can be pre-ordered now, will be released on CD, digital formats, and as a two-LP vinyl set. The LPs will be available on standard black vinyl and limited-edition multicolored splatter vinyl.
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The album documents a September 18, 1971, performance at the Goodbye Summer benefit concert for famine relief in the then-war-torn country of Bangladesh. The Who played a 15-song set at the event for a crowd of more than 35,000 people. Guitarist Pete Townshend and drummer Keith Moon destroyed their instruments at the end of the show.
The concert took place about a month after the band’s classic Who’s Next album was released. The set included five songs from Who’s Next, a couple of tunes from Tommy, and such other popular tunes as “I Can’t Explain,” “Substitute,” “My Generation,” and “Magic Bus,” and a cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues.” The Who also played the deep cut “Naked Eye” and a rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Baby Don’t You Do It.”
Live at the Oval 1971 has been newly mixed from the original analog multi-track tapes by Bob Pridden and Richard Whittaker. Townshend’s nephew, Josh, created the colorful cover art.
About The Who’s The Song Is Over Tour
As previously reported, The Who’s The Song Is Over North American farewell tour kicks off August 16 in Sunrise, Florida, and is scheduled through a September 28 concert in Las Vegas. The trek currently features 17 dates.
A variety of support acts will be performing on select dates on the tour. Among them are Billy Bob Thornton and his group The Boxmasters, The Joe Perry Project, Billy Idol, Booker T. Jones, Tom Cochrane, Candlebox, Feist, Joe Bonamassa, and ZZ Ward.
Before the North American outing, The Who will play two shows in Italy—on July 20 near Padua and July 22 in Milan.
In addition, frontman Roger Daltrey has three U.K. dates lined up with his solo band. Those shows are scheduled for July 30 in Halifax, August 1 in Audley End, and August 8 in Margate. Visit TheWho.com to check out a full list of dates.
Fans who join the band’s recently relaunched Wholigan Fan Club will receive a copy of Live at The Oval 1971, access to future pre-sale concert tickets, and more.
Live at the Oval 1971 Track List:
- “So Glad to See Ya”
- “Summertime Blues”
- “My Wife”
- “Love Ain’t for Keeping”
- “I Can’t Explain”
- “Substitute”
- “Bargain”
- “Behind Blue Eyes”
- “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
- “Baby Don’t You Do It”
- “Pinball Wizard”
- “See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You”
- “My Generation”
- “Naked Eye”
- “Magic Bus”
(Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)
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