Ageless rockers The Who played this past Tuesday night at Copps Coliseum, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as they are currently on tour celebrating one of the most iconic rock albums of all time, “Quadrophenia.” If you remember, the band did take this production on tour back in 1996, but that was more of the rock opera production. On Tuesday night, the band stuck to the music and delivered a wonderful performance in doing so. Accompanying surviving members Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend were Pete’s brother Simon (backing vocals and guitar), Zak Starkey (drums), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Loren Gold (keyboards/backing vocals) and Frank Simes (musical director, keyboards/backing vocals).
The show got underway promptly at 8:30PM as the journey started at the beginning with the track one, “I am the Sea.” Daltry made his presence felt with his screaming howls during “The Real Me.” Yes he was doing his traditional microphone cord swinging and Townshend also did his famous windmill fills during this song and many others throughout the night. At one point, Townshend had to remind the crowd to get the fu*k up, which prompted the crowd to pay closer attention to what they were witnessing.
Homage was paid to bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon throughout the set, especially on songs “5:15” and “Bell Boy.” A video of Entwistle played along with the other band members and was by far the highlight of the night. Also, Moon’s vocals were chimed in with some old footage of him signing “Bell Boy.”
Townshend, who in the past mostly stuck with electric guitars due to severe tinnitus, alternated between both the acoustic and electric guitar all night. It looks like the problem may be behind him, and that is obviously great news. Daltry’s voice held up strong through most of the night and he even brought out the acoustic himself on “Who Are You” and “Behind Blue Eyes.” News footage of the British movement and early clips of the band were showcased throughout the set as well.
Simon Townshend, a longtime touring musician with The Who, took lead vocals on “The Dirty Jobs” and he nailed it. “Love Reign O’er Me” was another highlight as Daltry hit most of the notes and Townshend’s theatrics helped the first part of the set finish with a flair.
The band came out to do an extended encore, including a stripped down version of “Tea & Theatre,” featuring only Daltry and Townshend on stage. I would say it was a fitting way to end the night with two of the most iconic men in rock and roll.
Set List:
I Am The Sea
The Real Me
Quadrophenia
Cut My Hair
The Punk and The Godfather
I’m One
The Dirty Jobs
Helpless Dancer
Is It In My Head
I’ve Had Enough
5.15
Sea And Sand
Drowned
Bell Boy
Doctor Jimmy
The Rock
Love Reign O’er Me
Encore:
Who Are You
Behind Blue Eyes
Pinball Wizard
Baba O’Riley
Won’t Get Fooled Again
Tea & Theatre
We would like to thank Bari Lieberman of MSOPR for the credentials to cover the show.
