Who Are They? A Tribute to The Who!

A tribute to The Who, channeling the raw stage energy of the band’s legendary Woodstock and Live at Leeds performances. The songs of guitarist Pete Townshend trace an era of explosive musical innovation—from early hits like Substitute, My Generation, and The Kids Are Alright; to the rock-opera breakthroughs of Tommy (Pinball Wizard) and Quadrophenia. And don’t forget the decade-defining ’70s classics like Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again, and Baba O’Riley. Who Are They? brilliantly conjure the mighty Who with soaring guitar riffs, acrobatic bass lines, stunning drum performances, vintage style, flawless energy, and even a few funny props. An unforgettable stage show.

Willie Wisely: Vocals and Harmonica
Justin Rieken (Riverside Hitmen • Going to The Sun): Bass and Vocals
Ryan Smith (Soul Asylum, UltraBomb, Melismatics): Guitar and Vocals
Peter Anderson (The Ocean Blue • Maygen & The Birdwatcher • Run Westy Run): Drums

To portray The Who it’s gotta be about their untouchable, levitating energy. They were a maximum band, maximally in the moment, first mods, then sods, then rock’n’roll Gods! And that’s what Who Are They? is all about. Willie Wisely, longtime Minneapolis singer songwriter, with decades of touring across three continents and 9 studio albums, dons the wardrobe of each Roger Daltrey era, slashing the air with mic spins and staged insanity. Ryan Smith, long of Soul Asylum and The Melismatics and most recently the all-star band Ultra Bomb, perfectly captures Pete Towshend’s near-violent guitar ricochet. Peter Anderson effortlessly channels the kinetic drumming of Keith Moon on a vintage Premiere double kick kit no less, and is ubiquitous in the Twin Cities music scene now for decades on end. Justin Reiken can do it all, and the wild ramblings of John Entwistle bass lines are only one of his many artistic outposts. There is barely a night of the year Justin isn’t gigging and to have him as secret weapon in the band is as much miracle as it is pure flattery. Who Are They? are not so much a cover band of musicians, as they are dedicated boyhood fans looking for the ideal way to give thanks for the genius music of The Who!