Quadrophenia Sunderland Empire July 9 2009 July 19, 2009

Quadrophenia Sunderland Empire July 9 2009

So Jimmy goes to Brighton on the 5.15 and Laura reviews the show below.
Having never heard of the show and with a somewhat sketchy knowledge of “The Who”, it was totally on dad’s recommendation that I attended this one.
It made a welcome change to only have to travel five minutes down the road to the Sunderland Empire. I hadn’t been there since seeing Morrissey a year or two ago and it was nice to be back in the theatre. It brought back memories of seeing pantomimes when I was young, watching musicals after the stage was extended and chatting with Russell Brand after a comedy gig.
For an opening performance however (particularly one with the promise of two tickets for the price of one) the auditorium wasn’t so full. From what I could hear, a lot of the people around us were big “Who” fans or else fans of the film. Not knowing what to expect I settled back in my seat and awaited the show’s beginning.
After a series of odd sounds and snatches of conversation coming over the sound system (I don’t think they were part of the show) the curtain rose. I can only apologise as what followed still remains a complete mystery to me. The show was very difficult to follow owing partly to the show’s lack of content and largely to the performer’s poor delivery. It was near impossible to decipher what they were singing and their vocals in general weren’t as good as I’d hoped.
During the interval dad explained the story to me, (the little story there was that is) and he too commented on the poor performances. The second half was little better. The rest of the musical was presented through a series of unteligable musical numbers far too frequently interspersed with heavy rain sound effects which wouldn’t have been out of place in a low budget children’s television programme.
All in all dad and I were quite disappointed with this one. Perhaps it is a little harsh to fully blame the cast; I think the poor sound quality and the weak plot also didn’t help matters. Dad says he’d advise anybody interested to just buy the album rather than going to see the show.

ticket

flyer

The Who O2 Indigo December 14th 2008 December 29, 2008

The Who O2 Indigo December 14th 2008

The O2 Indigo is a small, 2000 capacity, venue within the O2 complex. The Who were playing three Christmas shows at the venue; the first two for fan club members only, and the third show for the public. I joined the fanclub specially to get tickets for the show, it seemed a great chance to see the band up close in a small venue.

I’d been suffering all week with a terrible dose of flu, and almost didn’t go to the gig. But I figured that I would regret it later if I missed it so I wrapped myself up well and took the long train journey down to London on the Sunday afternoon. As it turned out I am glad that I did make the effort.  I arrived into London around 4pm, went to my Travelodge room in Kings Cross and than headed across to the O2 around 7pm. The queue for entry to the Indigo was outside curling around the block. The security for getting into the show was quite tight courtesy of Harvey Goldsmith; I had to take along my passport, credit card and booking reference to gain entry.

Got into the gig without any problem after around an hour wait in the cold, and the support act Kinkade were already on stage. They seemed pretty good, obviously influenced by the Kinks, Who, Small Faces. The Indigo is a nice little night-club like venue, and wasn’t too full so I took a place in the crowd near the front at the right of the stage, where Townshend stands. 

After a short break, the Who take the stage without any introductions and launch straight into I Can’t Explain. The set is a mixture of old classics, and includes a couple of surprises: Tattoo for one; don’t think I’ve seen them play that for some time. The Who are on great form tonight, lots of windmill arm twirling from Pete, lots of mike swinging from Roger. Roger’s voice is very strong; sounds much better than the last couple of times I have seen them, and Pete is playing great, really bashing at his guitar. Pete is in a cheeky mood tonight; lots of chat with the crowd; quite a bit of swearing. The guy in front of me is shouting for A Quick One all night; Pete says he could play that on his own! Someone shouts for Bellboy; Pete replies “Keith is F***ing dead; we can’t play that; do you want us to bring him back; wish we could”. They finish with Won’t get fooled again and My Generation. The encores are Pinball Wizard and a Tommy selection, finishing with Tea and Theatre from the recent album.

After the show I cram on to a crowded tube full of Coldplay fans (they were playing in the main O2 arena at the same time: mental note to myself : I must not go to see Coldplay again) and make my way back to Kings Cross. Then up at 6.30 to catch the 7.30 train back home. Was it worth it? Definitely; great to see them again; one of the best times I’ve seen them recently although not the same as seeing them in the 70s. Guess it never will be the same, but its still the Who and they can still rock like no-one else on a good night.

Setlist:

I Can’t Explain
The Seeker
Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
Fragments
Who Are You
Tattoo
Sister Disco
Behind Blue Eyes
Baba O’Reilly
Eminence Front
5:15
Love Reign O’er Me
Won’t Get Fooled Again
My Generation/Cry If You Want
Naked Eye

Encores:
Pinball Wizard
Amazing Journey
Sparks
See Me Feel Me
Tea & Theatre

website: http://www.thewho.com

 

ticket for the gig

programme