Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
November 25, 2006
The Pretenders supported this revved-up version of The Who on their second profitable swing through the Northeast (their second visit in a quarter of a year) and did so with a focused duck-walk guile that can be expected from twilight rockers probably not out of place touring alongside Tom Petty. So much so that Chrissie Hynde’s band might have even suggested this was a co-headlining gig, had it not been for the effortless entrance that resembled that of two very-near retirees punching their morning clock and sipping matching teas.
“I Can’t Explain” meandered off to an odd-footed start, followed quickly by blistery versions of the “The Seeker,” “Anyway, Anyhow Anywhere” and “Who Are You.” Despite the crowd’s obvious ovation, Roger Daltrey kept his black T-shirt tucked into his jeans, catering to the stadium-wide faithful.
The opening chords of Pete Townshend’s Stratocaster for “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Pick Up the Peace” upped the pace, followed by the inevitable lull that often accompanies new material performed by older bands; but The Who reverted to their young man selves with a timeless “Baba O’Riley,” which was surprisingly in sync considering keyboard technician Brian Kehew filled in for John Bundrick at the last minute.
There is however, much to be said for the newer stuff—Endless Wire is the group’s first new material since 1983’s It’s Hard—and it translates well, a one-two punch of “Endless Wire,” “We Got a Hit,” and “A Man in a Purple Dress” provided a derisive jab at the Pope.
Unsurprisingly, Daltrey and Townshend traded face time with the video screens, which began captivatingly but bordered on obtrusive by show’s end, especially considering the amount of looped video footage. But The Who seems to have found the backing band that suits them best since their original lineup went bust: Simon Townshend as rhythm guitarist (and brother of Pete), and a spotlight-shy Pino Palladino providing bass.
Perhaps unnoticed by the crowd of Gen-Xers or their sons, Zak Starkey provided, if not the most glaring talent on stage, certainly the freshest and most energized, and whether he offers up this type of vigor at each show would be worth quitting a job and following the band to find out. The coming-out party was a photo finish between “Eminence Front” and what local disc jockey Pierre Robert hails as the greatest rock ‘n’ roll song of all time—“We Won’t Get Fooled Again,” in versions so winding they completely remedied butterfly flips from the pseudo-rollercoaster on the jumbo-tron screens. Why he does not warrant more attention is a mystery itself, his rock lineage alone putting him in a British rock tier arguably entirely his own (Oasis drummer, son of Beatle Ringo Starr, given his first drum kit by Keith Moon as an infant, etc.) and it’s a shame, because his precision alone is enough to make him a star. Performing since 1996 with his childhood heroes, Starkey has drawn such admirations from his iconic bandmates as “the best man for the job since Keith.”
It would be hard to choose a better second set opener than “Pinball Wizard,” and it was hard to find a missed note, followed by “Amazing Journey,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “Teat And Theatre” closing out the set.
The Who play out like their first collection of new material in 24 years—streaky but with flashes of grandeur. With a formulaic set list playing without a hitch, they prove once again that they are about the ride on the magic bus, not the destination. Is that why they are still riding? Approaching the exits, there were plenty of murmurs about Pete Townshend being the man, and nothing else.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
