Music for Grown-Ups - 21/06/2006 : The Who (don't) Sell Out...

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21/06/2006

The Who (don't) Sell Out...

Thanks to Steven Pearce:

“Following on from your recent comments on The Who, here’s a review of last Sunday's Brighton gig.”

The Who, The Brighton Centre, 18 June 2006

Well, Sunday night in Brighton.

Believe me, this sunny facade of British seaside jolliness, burnt faces and sandcastles hides a far darker, mysterious and, some would say, more interesting take on what could constitute a day (or night) on the English South Coast.

I love Brighton. There, I've said it, "come out" as it were (a phrase more openly apt here than many places you could think of) and whether Brighton "loves" you back is really up to you. It's all here for the taking, just swallow hard, take a deep breath and throw yourself into its myriad delights.

I've never had a bad day/night/weekend here, and tonight was no exception. The Who in Brighton: "Quadrophenia", Phil Daniels and Lesley Ash, "Bell Boy" and fights on the beaches. As English as our football team, but not as predictable.

Arriving by train (not, unfortunately, the "5.15"), I reached The Brighton Centre in time for support act The Kasbah Club. Fronted by Pete's little brother Simon, they sounded just like, well, just like a band fronted by Pete's little brother Simon would sound; sort of, Pete Townshend-lite. Not terrible, not even bad, just a little ordinary. Sure, there were some neat musical flourishes, but even the most casual The Who listener would have heard them all before.

Simon looks and sounds uncannily like his big brother, which really doesn't work in his favour, although the rest of the band were solid enough. A brief mention for ex-The Jam bassist Bruce Foxton who plays with this combo: he looks, moves and plays as well as he always did, obviously having a great time and throwing himself into every song with the gusto of his teenage self. (I'd imagine that supporting The Who in a band with a Townshend, must be a dream come true for him).

Now, onto the big boys.

Tonight was the second night of The Who's 2006 world tour, the previous night having been the much heralded return to Leeds University, and although it was only the beginning of what promises to be a mighty long jaunt, I was wonderfully shocked, surprised and thrilled by the sheer elemental power of much of what followed.

Sure, there is a strong argument that The Who are not the band they once were; two pivotal members dead and the two survivors having been at loggerheads for the best part of 24 years, yet tonight any misgivings were laid to rest and we were left with a band re-discovering the intensity and power of old.

Whilst Roger Daltrey at times looked a little disconnected with the proceedings (he appeared to be suffering from what was apparently an unforgiving heat at the previous night's gig), his vocals were never less than magnificent. I've always thought that he's suffered a little in the Rock God admiration stakes, and has never fully been lauded for the sensitivity and understanding that he can bring to Townshend's lyrics.

Tonight, during "Behind Blue Eyes", we were again reminded what an astonishingly sensitive performer he can be whilst, during "Won't Get Fooled Again", how powerful is his presence.

The other problem that Daltrey has suffered from all these years, is having to be associated with Pete Townshend. Whilst Roger is (nominally) the front man, it's always been Pete's band. When he suffers, the band suffers. When he's inspired, the band's inspired. And so it was tonight, except without any of the suffering. Townshend sneered, grimaced, grinned, yelled, shouted, strutted and thrashed his way around the stage, treating his guitar with love one moment, utter contempt the next - pretty much how he's always viewed The Who itself.

At times self-effacing, at times bawling out some poor member of the crew, Pete Townshend is a force of nature, an artist who has always taken his work very, very seriously (some would argue too seriously) and if at times the sum of its parts has always been greater than the whole, he's always desperately wanted his music to connect with "his" audience, whether it was the Mods in the youth club in Acton, or the braying hordes in enormodomes throughout the World.

Tonight, he connects. The music connects. And, just as importantly, Daltrey and Townshend connect. Poor Roger. For years having to tolerate the moods of his writer, the genius standing next to him, it seems finally that Pete has understood his old mate's role in the scheme of things. It used to be that during any given number, Daltrey would move along to Townshend, flash him a broad grin, only to be met with derision and a withering look.

Now, it's all love and kisses. Townshend smiling at his old comrade, sidling up to him, moving along to the music with him, and even at one point, with a comment we couldn't hear, making Roger collapse into giggles, unable to finish the opening song properly. And at the end of the gig, a great big bear hug from Pete to Roger, and a huge "Ahh" from the crowd.

With a new studio album due Aug/Sept and the band playing with more fire in their collective bellies than at any point in the last 30 years, this is a grand time to be a Who fan.

See them and weep, the old buggers...

The Who, The Brighton Centre, 18th June 2006, setlist:

> "Who Are You" (from Who Are You - 1978)
> "I Can't Explain" (single - 1965)
> "The Seeker" (single - 1970)
> "Anyhow, Anywhere, Anyway" (single - 1965)
> "Wire And Glass" (new song/mini "rock opera" in six parts - 2006)
> "Mirror Door" (new song - 2006)
> "Baba O'Riley" (from Who's Next - 1971)
> "Drowned" (from Quadrophenia - 1973)
> "Behind Blue Eyes" (from Who's Next - 1971)
> "Relay" (single - 1972)
> "Mike Post" (new song - 2006)
> "Cry If You Want” (from It's Hard - 1982)
> "Pinball Wizard"/"Amazing Journey"/"See Me, Feel Me"/"Listening To You" (from Tommy - 1969)
>
> (encores)
>
> "Substitute" (single - 1966)
> "The Kids Are Alright" (from My Generation - 1965)
> "Won't Get Fooled Again" (from Who's Next - 1971)