Review by Paul Monkhouse for MPM
“I’m not sure about that beginning, we haven’t even rehearsed it yet” says a tongue-in-cheek Pete Townshend following a false start to perennial classic ‘The Real Me’.
It’s one of a few little technical issues that occur but dealt with a sense of humour by the venerable band as The Who close this current run of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust shows. From their inception though the band have been unpredictable and that delicious air of danger still hangs over them, this is music made to provoke a reaction and few acts can come anywhere near close to the incendiary power and quality of them in full flight.
Certainly, a heavy sense of history hangs over the night as the Royal Albert Hall hosts the climax of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the massively successful charity gigs, the band making their second appearance this week and they’re determined to make every minute count.
Those who made the pilgrimage to the famed domed venue on Sunday were treated to a masterclass on how to fill such a cavernous space, the venue somehow ideally suited to capture the intensity and sheer scale of the music from the first notes of ‘I Can’t Explain’ onwards.
The sight of Townshend windmilling is still one of the most iconic in rock music and with the bright bounce of ‘Substitute’ and the visceral attack of ‘Who Are You’ things were off to a racing start. Stopping for a moment, Daltrey reflects on how his life path was set when the band released their debut album sixty years ago, making music with his three friends an overwhelming focus and it’s that dedication that has brought them here, six thousand pairs of eyes upon them.
They’ve certainly played much bigger places but there’s something special about this place, even those sitting in the choir seats getting a special mention as Townshend asks “Did you pay extra for such a shitty view?” before Daltrey adds “did you pay extra for a view of my arse?” to cheers from the nosebleeds at the rear of the stage.
A brilliant ‘Bargain’ and adrenaline soaked ‘Pinball Wizard’ hit highs before a delightful run through of ‘Love Ain’t For Keepin” and a showstopping ‘Behind Blue Eyes’. It’s this ability to produce songs with both class and dynamic range that’s been a cornerstone to The Who’s success and the contrast between the brutality of the fretwork during ‘5:15’ and the delicate picking of ‘I’m One’ couldn’t be more acute display of Townshend’s ability to switch easily between the two. Daltrey too is a master at what his does and unlike many of his peers, he’s managed to keep the self-same singing voice with a huge range, nuance and power, his scream during ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ rewarded by a standing ovation alone.
Mention must go to longtime band members Simon Townshend and Zak Starkey too, Pete’s brother adding extra colours with his acoustic and electric playing whilst the drummer, unfeasibly dressed in a yellow romper suit, brings a real swing and verve to these classic numbers, not least on the funky ‘Eminence Front’.
The scattered keys of ‘Baba O’Reilly’ elicits a huge cheer, the number a full blooded romp through its multi-layered wonders before things reach a pinnacle with a phenomenal ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, Daltrey’s roar at the end both jaw dropping and spine tingling. Closing poignantly with the live debut of ‘The Song Is Over’, it was game set and match to the outfit and all those there hoping that this wasn’t a statement of intent, the last notes ringing in ears as the final bows were made. One of the greatest bands ever to plug in and play, The Who remain untouchable. What a night, what a glorious night.
Photography by John Stead
