Concert Review: The Who Bring "Quadrophenia" To Life At Mohegan Sun

Next year will be a milestone for one of The Who’s landmark albums, “Quadrophenia.” The band is celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the album by bringing it to life on stage with surviving band members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. The tour began on November 1^st in Florida and finished up the first leg of the tour at the Mohegan Sun arena last Sunday night. This is only the second tour to feature The Who performing the entire “Quadrophenia” album straight through since its release in 1973.

As the sound of the ocean filled the arena, The Who took the stage for an audience that was in for an adventures and exciting live performance. Daltrey’s vocals were a little shaky on the opening song, “The Real Me,” but his voice quickly warmed-up. He blasted through songs like “The Punk and The Godfather,” “Is It In My Head” and the crowd-favorite “5:15.” Guitarist Pete Townshend wasted no time showing off his signature windmill guitar solos, but it was his vocals on “I’m One” and “Drowned” that made the audience want more.

The Who also worked in tributes to past band members, John Entwistle and Keith Moon into the evening's performance. Moon’s video vocals during “Bell Boy” fit in perfectly with Daltrey’s live vocals and Entwistle’s video bass solo was made even more powerful by the live drumming of Zak Starkey. The 8-piece band, supporting Daltrey and Townshend gave the songs the perfect combination of passion and drive, as if they performed on the original album 40 years ago.

Pete Townshend traded guitar licks with his brother Simon during the instrumental “The Rock” before finishing their main set with the climactic “Love, Reign O’er Me.” Daltrey’s subtle vocals and loud screams were still in perfect pitch.

The remainder of the show was like a mini greatest hits set, beginning with “Who Are You.” The audience became more enthusiastic with each hit performed, playing air guitar during “Pinball Wizard” and air drums during “Baba O’Riley.” The band finished the set with an energetic version of “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” As the band bowed and left the stage, Townshend and Daltrey stood alone to perform the gentle, acoustic ballad “Tea & Theatre.”

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend stood together, arm and arm, the audience was still memorized by this outstanding performance by two of music’s iconic legends. The two-and-a-half hour performance placed another page in the ever-growing history of The Who.

Starting off the evening was the California band, Vintage Trouble. Their blend of James Brown-type R&B vocals and Led Zeppelin-esque music got the crowd on their feet early. With only a thirty minute timeslot, Vintage Trouble performed six song set that was so uplifting and successful that there was a huge gathering of new fans waiting to meet them and become “Troublemakers.”

Setlist: The Real Me, Quadrophenia, Cut My Hair, The Punk And The Godfather, I'm One, The Dirty Jobs, Helpless Dancer, Is It In My Head, I've Had Enough, 5:15, Sea And Sand, Drowned, Bell Boy, Doctor Jimmy, The Rock, Love Reign O'er Me, Who Are You, Behind Blue Eyes, Pinball Wizard, Baba O'Riley, Won't Get Fooled Again, Tea & Theatre