THE Who have announced their first Scottish gig date in four decades as they embark on a UK-wide tour.
The legendary rock band will be performing each night with a full orchestra, with two dates confirmed at Edinburgh Castle on July 8 and 9 this year.
Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and band will be performing music from throughout their nearly 60-year career at nine different gig dates across the UK.
The set will include sections devoted to classic albums Tommy & Quadrophenia as well as other beloved Who tracks and songs from their 2019 album, their first studio release in 13 years.
The 2023 tour will include a show in the Scottish capital, their first in over 40 years, as well as their first show in Derby since 1966.
It’s understood that UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will be the special guest on most of the tour dates, but the Edinburgh date’s support has not yet been announced, so a surprise could be in store for fans.
The gigs follow last year’s highly acclaimed ‘The Who Hits Back’ tour of the United States, where the band shared the stage with some of the finest orchestras in America.
The line-up features The Who’s full live band comprised of guitarist and backup singer Simon Townshend, keyboardist Loren Gold, second keyboardist Emily Marshall, bassist Jon Button, drummer Zak Starkey and backing vocals by Billy Nicholls, along with orchestra conductor Keith Levenson, lead violinist Katie Jacoby and lead cellist Audrey Snyder.
Performing with The Who and an orchestra had been a long-held ambition for singer Roger Daltrey.
As the tour was announced, he said: “Having not toured the UK for six years, it's great that at this time of our careers we have the chance to go to places that are not on the usual touring map Edinburgh Castle and Derby, as well as the other cities across the country that we haven’t been to for decades, will make this very special for me.
“This opportunity will give our UK Who fans the chance to hear our current show, which, with the addition of an orchestra, takes our music to new heights.”
Pete Townshend added: “Roger initially christened this tour with an orchestra ‘Moving On!’ I love it. It is what both of us want to do.
“Move on, with new music, classic Who music, all performed in new and exciting ways.
“Taking risks, nothing to lose. I’m really looking forward to bringing this show to the UK."
The band have asked fans to add an optional £1 donation onto their ticket price at point of sale in support of Teenage Cancer Trust.
Townshend and Daltrey are longstanding supporters of the charity, with Daltrey acting as the driving force behind Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall concerts since they began in 2000.
Tickets are set to go on sale at 10am on Friday February 3.
