Can You See the Real Me

[przed]

Just got back from seeing The Who, and it was brilliant.

They're touring Quadrophenia, which is my absolute favourite Who album, but I still nearly didn't go to the show. The last time I saw them Roger's voice was shot, and now that John's dead, and Pete and Roger are seriously into Old Rock Star Geezerdom, I wasn't sure about going. But I called my usual Who-going pal, and she was game if I was, so I got tickets, and I'm so glad I did.

I'd seen them do Quadrophenia live once before, but more as a theatrical piece with lots of guest singers doing various parts, and that was fine. Tonight it was just the band doing it more or less as it was on the album and it was really tight and powerful. Roger's voice was in fine form, and he even managed the high notes of Love Reign O'er Me. Pete's voice, interestingly, is the one that's shot now, but he's morphed his singing style into this bluesy growl that's really interesting, so it's okay, and his guitar playing is as fantastic as ever. The rest of the band (including Pete's younger brother, Simon) is good, but Zack Starkey on drums is possibly even more brilliant than ever. He's like Keith Moon without the drug addiction and alcoholism.

They did Quadrophenia as a single, unbroken set with no patter, and then did another 45 minutes of some of their bigger songs with much speaking to the audience. The crowd was totally into it, and got even more into it as they did the big hits like Who Are You, Baba O'Riley, and Won't Get Fooled Again. Though I have to say, it's pretty amusing to hear an arena of middle-aged rock fans (and I count myself in their number) singing "It's only a teenage wasteland" at the top of their lungs.

We were far enough back that I didn't get a really good picture of Pete or Roger, but I did get a nice one of the whole stage when they were doing Love Reign O'er Me.

Comments

[togsos.livejournal.com]

so, so jealous right now.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry?

(It was a brilliant show.)

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you had a great time!

[przed.livejournal.com]

It was a fantastic show.

[paris7am.livejournal.com]

Wow. I get goosebumps just thinking about how beautiful that must have been. Love Reign O'er Me is so powerful, so powerful.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Hey you! How are you?

It was a pretty special moment, but the whole show was great.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Live music \o/ Glad you had a good time *g* Baba O'Riley is one of my favourite songs of all time and one I would play in my head on hard days at work!

[przed.livejournal.com]

Well, if I couldn't be at Robbie's show, hey? ;-)

I'm very glad I went. Baba O'Riley is one of the all-time great songs for sure. (I'm not sure I can even pick out a favourite Who song, there are so many I love. Baba would probably be a contender, but I'm also fond of deeper album cuts like Guitar and Pen because I'm crazy that way.)

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had fun. Whenever I hear about a Who concert, I remember my sister going when she was in college. She'd had a few days of fun and frolic before hand and she fell asleep during The Who concert. :) Way too much fun and frolic if you ask me. Ah yes, the good ole days. *snirk*

[przed.livejournal.com]

That must have been some fun and frolicking. ;-)

I've actually fallen asleep at a show, too, but not because of frolicking. It was a Friday midnight show, I'd been working all week, I was in my late 30s, and I just crashed. No more rock and roll lifestyle for me. :-(

[beledibabe.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! It sounds fantastic! I'm so glad you had the chance to see it (and just wish I could've hitched a ride in your pocket). I love The Who! ::g::

[przed.livejournal.com]

It was a brilliant show, and I'm so glad I went. (Wish you could have come too!) The Who are definitely one of my all-time favourite bands.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Really nice to hear that the lads can still pull it off.

Nice to hear that Ringo's son is so talented. :D

[przed.livejournal.com]

I was a bit sceptical, but the lads pulled it off in spectacular fashion. And Ringo's son is a truly brilliant drummer. (I reckon you don't get to drum for both The Who and Oasis if you're not pretty darn brilliant.)

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

It all sounds brilliant :D Seeing musicians you love play live is such a thrill. Good times!

[przed.livejournal.com]

I love going to live gigs. Don't get to do often enough these days, but it's always nice when a show really lives up to expectations.

[sooguy.livejournal.com]

Had no idea they were touring again.

One band I had not seen. Sounds like a cool show.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I think they'll be touring when they need walkers, if they can. Geezers or not, they put on a hell of a show.

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

Grand! *g*

I love my new word, noticed?

Glad to hear you had such a good time and the concert was, well...grand! The visuals look absolutely amazing! Great picture!

I'd give a lot to hear Baba O'Riley live once. Awwww.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Your new word is...grand! As were The Who. I don't see them every time they're in town, but I do see them every five years or so, and they always put on a show. And Baba O'Riley is awesome live, even if Roger doesn't quite have the snarl he did as a younger man.