Daltrey Reimagined: A Who Legend in Full Voice at The Piece Hall

★★★★☆ (4/5)

ROGER DALTREY PERFORMING AT TK. MAXX PRESENTS… HALIFAX THE PIECE HALL 2025
PHOTOCREDIT: JOHN HAYHURST

I was back at The Piece Hall in Halifax tonight for Roger Daltrey’s headline show, and what a night it was. Stepping into the open-air courtyard of the iconic Georgian cloth hall—its honey-stone façade and quadrangle bathed in late summer dusk—set the tone: historic grandeur meets rock legend. Built in the late 18th century as a trading centre, The Piece Hall is now a cultural jewel in West Yorkshire, and tonight it was the perfect setting for an artist whose voice has soundtracked generations.

Roger arrived on stage in relaxed fashion, letting his nine-piece band take their places before stepping up to the mic and launching into a bold choice for an opener—“Let My Love Open The Door.” Though a Pete Townshend solo number, Roger gave it a warm, melodic reading, setting the tone for an evening that would lean into both reinterpretation and reverence. It was striking from the off: stripped-back arrangement, subtle harmonies, and that unmistakable voice—still firm, still expressive, and more than capable of carrying the moment.

“Who Are You” came not long after, and it was no mere retread. This wasn’t The Who in full stadium bombast—it was tighter, textured differently, with violin and accordion teasing out new shades in the arrangement. Yet the energy was unmistakable. Roger delivered it with measured intensity, allowing the weight of the lyrics to land without needing to shout them. It reminded me how well these songs endure when allowed to breathe.

There was a real emotional pulse in “Giving It All Away,” too—a deep cut from Roger’s solo years, and one he introduced with genuine affection. Sitting with acoustic guitar, he reflected on early days, and that it was written by an unknown songwriter called Leo Sayer. He then sang it with remarkable clarity, the lines hitting with both nostalgia and grace. The band gave it room, and the result was quietly powerful—a standout moment that drew some of the warmest applause of the night.

Mid-set came “Substitute,” and here again the reinterpretation shone. This wasn’t an effort to match the ferocity of The Who’s original—it was looser, earthier, built around accordion flourishes and gentle harmonies. But Roger’s delivery gave the lyrics a knowing edge, as though looking back at the defiance of youth with a touch of bemusement. It worked beautifully in this setting.

When “Squeeze Box” rolled around, it felt almost inevitable that Roger would poke fun at the song’s innuendo-laced lyrics. He did, of course, with a smirk and a chuckle, encouraging the crowd to join in. It became a playful singalong, with men and women coaxed into a mini call-and-response. Silly? Yes. Fun? Absolutely. And somehow, in that moment, the old hit felt fresh again.

As the set built to its final stretch, the unmistakable opening of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” brought an immediate cheer. But rather than unleash the usual onslaught, the band opted for a restrained, reimagined version led by violin and acoustic textures. Roger joked about leaving the famous scream to us, and sure enough, the crowd took the cue. It wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a way of reclaiming the song’s protest spirit and passing it to the audience. It worked brilliantly.

Towards the end of the main set, “Baba O’Riley” was both expected and exceptional. The swirling violin took the place of the original’s synth line, giving the anthem an organic grandeur. Roger sang it not as a rallying cry, but with a kind of wisdom that only time brings. As the final notes echoed through the courtyard, it felt less like an ending and more like a benediction.

Roger Daltrey may be decades on from his prime chart years, and “Who” knows how many more shows like this he can pull off, but tonight he proved that presence, voice, and interpretation matter far more than volume. This wasn’t a tribute to the past—it was an artist fully engaged in the now, offering new takes on familiar songs in a historic venue that gave every note the space to resonate. An unforgettable evening from a man still finding meaning in the music he made famous.