THE WHO Edinburgh Castle 8th July 2023
The Who Hits Back! Tour finds the two surviving sources of that marvellous musical maelstrom joined by longtime drummer Zak Starkey (the first replacement unafraid to channel Moonie), Townshend’s amazingly talented brother Simon on guitar, Loren Gold and Emily Marshall on keyboards, Jon Button on bass and backup singer Billy Nicholls.
Their sound was further fleshed out by a fantastic orchestra conducted by Keith Levenson as they opened with six songs from ‘Tommy,’ a pioneering rock opera released in 1969 that even now remains one of The Who’s most celebrated masterstrokes.
Those ‘Tommy’ highlights benefited greatly from the orchestration, as did several more unlikely choices for that treatment, from Eminence Front,’ to the violin-driven conclusion of ‘Baba O’Riley.’
After bringing the opening section to a close they sent the orchestra away for a segment whose highlights included a raucous ‘You Better You Bet,’ a suitably anthemic ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again,’ ‘My Generation,’ (which they haven’t played live in years) and a beautiful unplugged and seated ‘Behind Blue Eyes.’
Then, it was on to ‘Quadrophenia,’ The Who’s other iconic rock opera, capped by a transcendent ‘Love, Reign O’er Me,’ which featured one of Daltrey’s strongest vocals.
Boasting more than half a century of experience under their belts, the arena rock icons understand the formula for a good show better than most. Lights danced from the stage to the audience as the commanding sonics of the symphony on stage dominated the speakers.
Racing through a collection of tracks that live up to the tour’s name, ‘The Who Hits Back’ the self-proclaimed legacy act delivered on the hopes and expectations of its intergenerational fanbase. And while the Innes & Gunn may have been flowing freely, the alcohol only served to enhance the experience.
Closing out the evening with the support of the orchestra, The Who rocked Edinburgh Castle with the force of a big band sound that only a full symphony can provide. Though the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle may poison some acts like bad apples, others, like The Who, simply age like good Malt (which is much missed by the now tea-total Townsend). While some may have found room to criticise, the rock legends know the secret to giving a great show. ‘The Who Hits Back’ gave fans the rock show experience they came for and at the end of the day, that’s what truly makes a show the most memorable.
SET LIST:
With Orchestra – Overture, 1921, Amazing Journey, The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, We’re Not Gonna Take It, Who Are You, Eminence Front.
Band Only – The Kids Are Alright, Substitute, My Generation, Won’t Get Fooled Again, Behind Blue Eyes
With Orchestra – Love Reign O’er Me, Baba O’Riley
Encore – Tea & Theatre
Review & Photographs by Stuart Stott
