The Who
Photo By: Seth A. Kahaian
February 26, 2013
The Dunkin’ Donuts Center
Providence, RI
Setlist The Who
1- I Am The Sea Roger Daltrey- Vocals
2- The Real Me Peter Townshend- Guitar
3- Quadrophenia Zak Starkey- Drums
4- Cut My Hair Pino Palladino- Bass
5- The Punk And The Godfather
6- I’m One Other Touring Members
7- The Dirty Jobs Simon Townshend- Guitar
8- Helpless Dancer Chris Stainton- Keyboards
9- Is It In My Head? Loren Gold- Keyboards
10- I’ve Had Enough Frank Simes- Percussion
11- 5:15
12- Sea And Sand
13- Drowned
14- Bell Boy
15- Doctor Jimmy
16- The Rock
17- Love Reign O‘er Me
18- Who Are You (Encore)
19- Behind Blue Eyes (Encore)
20- Pinball Wizard (Encore)
21- Baba O’Riley (Encore)
22- Won’t Get Fooled Again (Encore)
23- Tea And Theatre (Encore)
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.
Photo By: Seth A. Kahaian
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.
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