The Who Announce Special Eden Sessions Performance
Rock icons The Who added a special show to their European run when they confirmed a performance at the famous Eden Project as part of the annual Eden Sessions concert series.
The concert took place on July 25, 2023, marking one of the standout events of the summer series at the world-famous venue known for its massive biomes and natural amphitheater setting. The band performed alongside a full orchestra, delivering a grand reinterpretation of their classic catalog.
The Eden Sessions are an annual series of outdoor concerts held at the Cornwall attraction, which has hosted global acts ranging from pop legends to major rock bands.
A Legendary Band in an Extraordinary Venue
Formed in the mid-1960s, The Who remain one of the most influential bands in rock history. Over the decades, they have performed more than 2,000 concerts worldwide and appeared at historic events including Woodstock, Monterey Pop Festival, and Live Aid.
The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and has achieved an extraordinary chart legacy, including 27 Top 40 singles and 17 Top 10 albums in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Classic albums like:
cemented their reputation as one of rock’s most groundbreaking bands.
The Eden Sessions Performance Lineup
For the Eden Project concert, the band’s core lineup featured founding members:
- Roger Daltrey – vocals
- Pete Townshend – guitar and vocals
They were joined by their touring band and orchestra, creating a large-scale performance that blended rock instrumentation with symphonic arrangements.
Touring Band Members
- Simon Townshend – guitar, backing vocals
- Loren Gold – keyboards
- Emily Marshall – keyboards
- Jon Button – bass
- Zak Starkey – drums
- Billy Nicholls – backing vocals
Orchestra Leadership
- Conductor: Keith Levenson
- Lead violin: Katie Jacoby
- Lead cello: Audrey Q. Snyder
The orchestral arrangements were largely crafted by renowned composer David Campbell, bringing a dramatic new dimension to the band’s classic material.
A Setlist Packed With Legendary Songs
The Eden Project performance featured a roughly two-hour set with around two dozen songs, mixing orchestral segments with pure rock performances.
Highlights Included
With Orchestra
- “Overture”
- “1921”
- “Amazing Journey”
- “Sparks”
- “Pinball Wizard”
- “Who Are You”
Band-Only Section
- “The Kids Are Alright”
- “Substitute”
- “I Can’t Explain”
- “My Generation”
- “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
- “Behind Blue Eyes”
Final Orchestral Section
- “The Real Me”
- “5:15”
- “Love, Reign O’er Me”
- “Baba O’Riley”
The show opened after a supporting set by Simon Townshend, with the main performance starting around 8:30 p.m. and running until roughly 10:30 p.m..
Why the Eden Project Show Was Unique
The venue itself played a major role in the atmosphere of the concert. The Eden Project’s natural amphitheater setting — surrounded by massive greenhouse biomes and landscaped hillsides — provides excellent acoustics and a striking visual backdrop for live music.
Unlike many arena shows on the band’s orchestral tour, the Eden Project event featured a more open standing audience area, giving fans the chance to get close to the stage and creating a more energetic crowd environment.
A Historic Night for the Eden Sessions
The Eden Sessions series has been hosting major artists since 2002, drawing world-class performers to Cornwall each summer. Over the years, acts such as:
have all appeared at the venue.
According to Eden Sessions director Rita Broe, welcoming The Who was a landmark moment for the concert series.
“We’re so thrilled to welcome legends The Who to Eden… it will be one of the highlights of the summer.”
Tickets and Presale Information
Tickets for the July 25 show were priced at £86 plus booking fees. Fan club and presale access opened first, followed by general ticket sales beginning May 15, 2023.
Demand was strong due to the unique combination of a legendary band, an orchestra-backed performance, and a one-of-a-kind venue.
