The Who at Manchester Arena

 

The Who Setlist Manchester Arena, Manchester, England 2013, Quadrophenia and More European Tour

 

 

Press

Manchester Confidential
Manchester Evening News

Review by Gareth Hamilton

Something very special happened last night and I don't think I imagined it. The Who were dangerous and ferocious; more physical and unrelenting. It was surprising considering that in my hometown the front centre block sat down for the majority of Quadrophenia - the first venue to do so on the UK mainland; I couldn't believe it. I know a lot of the audience are of a certain age but this is THE WHO for chrissakes!

I don't know whether this made them work a little harder or what but from 'Is It In My Head' onward they were outrageously good. '5.15' had extended solo's and Roger adlibbing for longer; 'Sea and Sand' was longer; 'Drowned' was just incredible - the band have been working to build the song at the end of Pete's 'hurricane' adlib and sometimes the timing is out. Not last night. It built and built and as Pete screamed 'Bring on the fuckin' hurricane' the band exploded - orgasmic is the only way to describe that particular moment! Then 'Bellboy' finally had just about everybody standing with Moonie getting his deserved ovation. 'Dr.Jimmy' was threatening, 'The Rock' was awe inspiring (again) and 'Love Reign O'er Me' probably the best I have seen this tour - but that goes for '5.15', 'BO'R' and 'WGFA' as well.

Baba - Pete lost it! Just moments before the 'Don't cry...' part his guitar went out of tune and he took it off and launched it about 20 feet toward Alan Rogan; and it wasn't an underarm throw either! Fantastic moment!

The band knew they had played to an extremely high standard and this made the band introductions a lot of fun especially when Rog described Pete as a 'fucking genius' then told him not to get big headed and threatened to put him 'back in his box!' Pete then went into Father Jack mode (for some reason!) gurning like mad and shouting 'Girls!' and 'Drink!' to Roger's apparent confusion - 'He doesn't watch Father Ted!' explained the maestro.

An amazing evening. Is it possible this band can get any better? I would put money on it!!!