CONCERT MEMORIES:

*Note: if you were there and would like to share your memories, pictures or tape please send it info@rirocks.net

Review borrowed by kind permission of sethsrockreport.com     http://sethsrockreport.com/the-who-quadrophenia-tour-providence-ri-february-26-2012/

Photo By: Seth A. Kahaian

The opening act was Vintage Trouble and they rocked the house. The Who were obviously touring the Quadrophenia album. I’m not a huge fan of bands doing full album sets. I prefer a varied setlist. I know that’s how the band sold it, so I knew what I was getting. On the other hand, I wasn’t sure how long The Who would be around so I felt I had to finally see them. I haven’t had the opportunity in the past, every time they came I had to be somewhere else. It was important that I see two of the rock greats.

What was interesting was that throughout the show, behind the band was a history of the band through video and to watch that while they were performing on stage was quite the contradiction. From being rebels and rockers, to complaining during the set that someone lit up a cigarette and it bothered Roger. Well, the energy wasn’t the level I expected from the stage or the audience. Only during the more well known songs or the hits off the album (though you would have thought most knew them all by this time) and the encores, where they were the best part of the show. Now, I’m not sure if the crowd was the reason that the energy was kind of low on stage or not. I mean when the audience doesn’t even stand up through most of the set, that says something. At least in my world.

Photo By: Seth A. Kahaian

There was a lot of media about the cancelled show in Providence, from 1979. If you still had those tickets they would honor them for this show (I had tickets for that one, but were returned then as well, sigh). They spoke about it during the show. I was expecting something special, an extra song or two, something based on the media, to make this show a unique experience on the tour, but no luck with that.

Some of the highlights for me, anyway, was when The Who did 5:15, because on the screen we saw John Entwistle doing a bass solo and this would repeat later for Keith Moon, during Bell Boy. Those solos were great and a nice homage to them as well. A treat for the fans, you might say. All in all, the band sounded great. Daltrey didn’t seem to care if he missed a few notes, focusing more on the emotion and the delivery of the songs. Townsend did his wind mills and even jumped, and the fans at least responded appreciatively to them for that. Rumor has it that they might do a 50th anniversary. If they do, I may venture out and see them and hope for a better crowd and setlist