The Who was actually the first Rock concert I ever saw back in 1975, setting my standards for  rock concerts to come quite high. When, I first saw the advertisements for the Quadrophenia show I put it on my wish-list, but haven't  bought the ticket, which were rather expensive and then forgot about it until two days ago, when a British collegue told me that he was going to see the show and I looked up on the web and there were still tickets available and I decided to give it a try.

Now, one good thing with non-sold out concerts in Paris, you find more tickets to buy just before the concert and as there are often more tickets then buyers and if you are willing to drop the support act you can actually get the price quite low. So I got a nice centerstage ticket for a good price.

Bercy is a good venue for about 10.000 and I would say 95% full for the show. Time for a beer and the band started right away into Quadrophenia, which is btw among my favourite records. Very good and balanced sound and very good visuals on a multi split screen in form of scooter lights. Without getting too nostalgic I saw myself 38 years earlier . So only seated  places,  which was in fact a good idea, as Quadrophenia demands a rather attentive listening. The band did no announcements or comments between the songs and played the whole opera continuously with  great slides, films and digitally processed patterns. Reminded me a bit of the Lamb shows, very intense (btw same problem for me I find the second half of both records weaker)

During Bell Boy they integrated a small exerpt of Keith Moon singing ( with the corresponding live video) into the show and during 5:15 a great John Entwistle bass-solo (also with corresponding footage, while the band played on. It was quite touching to see them again with Roger an,d Pete turned towards the screen and as it was integrated quite naturally  into the show there was no time to get too nostalgic. Btw just amazing how perfect you can integrate these things nowadays.

The band was great with a special mention for arranger/keyboarder Frank Simes Who did a fantastic job. The overall sound was very close to the record and well if you like Quadrophenia, it was wonderfull.  Roger D. was in very good shape physically and voice-wise, apart from some minor glitches. The same couldn’t be said for Pete T. who looked exhausted right from the beginning. The Paris show was towards the end of the tour which has taken it’s toll on his form I guess. He kept a rather low profile during the whole of Quadrophenia and had some trouble with his voice and did only some minor “jumping” and windmilling toward the end of the concert.

So after after a great Love, Reign O'er Me as Finale with beautiful digital visuals, a kind of digital rain, a short break during a standing ovation, leading directly into the second part, a mix of Hits :

Who are You, You Better you bet, Baba O ‘Riley, Pinball Wizard, Won’t get fooled again ( with some half-hearted audience participation, but there were too few who knew the lyrics) and as an touching encore only Roger & Pete with Tea and Theatre.

Perfect evening, If you get the chance to see the show do it !

Original Members

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Daltrey" rel="nofollow -  – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_vocalist" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing" rel="nofollow - , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonica" rel="nofollow - , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_guitar" rel="nofollow - , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tambourine" rel="nofollow -
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Townshend" rel="nofollow -  – lead http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitars" rel="nofollow - , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_guitar" rel="nofollow - , vocals
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Moon" rel="nofollow -  – vocals (via audio and archival footage on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Boy_%28song%29" rel="nofollow - )
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Entwistle" rel="nofollow -  – bass (via audio and archival footage on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.15" rel="nofollow - )

Musical Director

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Simes" rel="nofollow -  - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_director" rel="nofollow - , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_instrument" rel="nofollow - , vocals

Backing Musicians

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Devours" rel="nofollow - - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kit" rel="nofollow -
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pino_Palladino" rel="nofollow - - bass guitar
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Townshend" rel="nofollow - - rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandolin" rel="nofollow -
• John Corey - keyboards
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loren_Gold" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Greg_Miller" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Grisham" rel="nofollow -  
  
  
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  Tadpoles keep screaming in my ear
  "Hey there! Rotter's Club!
  Explain the meaning of this song and share it"