The Who Bring ‘Going Mobile’ to the Stage for the First Time at 2025 Tour Opener

After more than five decades, The Who finally took “Going Mobile” on the road.

At the opening night of their The Song Is Over North American farewell tour, held Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena in Florida, the band surprised fans with the live debut of “Going Mobile,” a vibrant, freewheeling track from their landmark 1971 album Who’s Next.

Though the song has long been a favorite among diehards, it had never been performed live by the full band—until now.

Simon Townshend Steps In for a Fan-Favorite Moment

Originally sung by Pete Townshend on the album, the vocal duties were handed to his younger brother, Simon Townshend, for the live debut. A seasoned touring member of The Who and a solo artist in his own right, Simon delivered the song with a spirited energy that echoed the track’s themes of mobility and liberation.

The performance wasn’t just a nostalgic deep cut—it was a symbolic moment. “Going Mobile” captures the thrill of freedom on the open road, a fitting sentiment as The Who embark on what they’ve billed as their final tour. Lyrics like “When I’m drivin’ free, the world’s my home / When I’m mobile” now resonate with even more emotional weight.

A Long Time Coming

While this marks the first time “Going Mobile” has appeared in a Who setlist, it’s not the first time it’s been played live. Pete Townshend performed it during his solo shows at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre in 2000, while Roger Daltrey has frequently included it in his solo concerts, logging more than 140 performances, according to setlist.fm.

Still, hearing it performed by The Who—on a stage, with the full band, in front of a packed arena—was a historic moment for fans who’ve waited over 50 years to witness it.

A Setlist Built Around Who’s Next

The addition of “Going Mobile” bolsters what’s already a Who’s Next-heavy setlist. Seven of the album’s nine tracks now appear in the current show, making it the most represented record on the tour. As the band revisits its most iconic material, songs like “Baba O’Riley,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” and now “Going Mobile” serve not just as hits, but as living history.

The Who’s North American tour resumes in Newark, New Jersey, on Tuesday and will wrap on September 28 in Las Vegas. If the opener is any indication, this farewell run won’t just be about greatest hits—it’s about finally giving long-shelved songs their moment in the spotlight.

The Who — Aug. 16, 2025, Sunrise, Florida Set List
1. “I Can’t Explain”
2. “Substitute”
3. “Who Are You”
4. “The Seeker”
5. “I Can See for Miles”
6. “Bargain”
7. “Love Ain’t for Keeping”
8. “Behind Blue Eyes”
9. “Going Mobile” (live debut; Simon Townshend on lead vocals)
10. “Pinball Wizard”
11. “See Me, Feel Me”
12. “Eminence Front”
13. “My Generation”
14. “Cry if You Want” (abbreviated)
15. “You Better You Bet”
16. “The Real Me”
17. “I’ve Had Enough”
18. “I’m One”
19. “5:15”
20. “Love, Reign O’er Me”
21. “Baba O’Riley”
22. “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
23. “Tea & Theatre”
24. “The Song Is Over”