Royal Albert Hall – 18/03/24
The Who have been long time supporters of The Teenage Cancer Trust and tonight’s show kicks of the 2024 season.
The legendary rockers are supported by Squeeze, who this year will celebrate their 50th anniversary. The Albert Hall is a truly spectacular building and the perfect setting for tonight’s show. It is absolutely packed and there is a bubbling hub of excitement, even before Squeeze take to the stage.
After an introduction to the charity, Squeeze entered the stage and they played a great set. All the fan favourites, it really was a dream, greatest hits, setlist.
“It’s Quarter to 8 on a Monday evening and we should all be having our tea. But instead we’re all going to get up and dance around to ‘Slap and Tickle’ ladies and gentlemen,” said Chris Difford as the band got the Hall bouncing.
‘Up The Junction’ came early, the country swing of ‘Labelled With Love’ followed, rockabilly of ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and a pared back, harmony soaked ‘Tempted’ led up to a big finish of ‘Cool For Cats.’ What a way to start the night.
After a brief changeover, the moment everyone was waiting for. The orchestra entered the stage followed by the band, before Roger, then Pete entered, to a huge applause. Starting off with I Can’t Explain, the band hit the ground running and didn’t take their foot off the gas once.
I loved the orchestra; it really enhanced the music of both Tommy and Quadrophenia. They are both rock operas after all. The music along with the venue lends itself to a bigger, grander sound. I had wondered how one of my favourite rock bands would work with an orchestra, but it worked so well. They did play a ‘band set’ in the middle of the show too.
We had all the hits at the Albert Hall, Pinball Wizard, My Generation, Who Are You, it was an amazing show. My personal highlight was ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ – one of my favourite songs. I was absolutely loving it tonight.
Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey have lost absolutely nothing in their latter years, Pete is still doing the windmill on the guitar and Rogers voice is nothing less than stunning.
The haunting piano intro to Love Reign O’er Me gave me chills and Roger’s wailing of ‘Love’ filled the hall and was greeted by a huge applause. All to soon, the final chords of Baba o Reilly rang out which signified the end of the show and what a show it was.
The band played a set that was just over two hours and didn’t drop the energy once. They blew me away and it took me back to my first time seeing them, nearly 20 years ago in a muddy field! They were just as good then as they are now. An incredible band.
It felt special on Monday night at The Albert Hall, it felt like a once in a lifetime experience to see these guys! They play the show again on Wednesday 20th March, it really is something not to be missed!
