THE WHO
Royal Albert Hall, London, March 25
A rare and revelatory unplugged outing for Rog and Pete, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
Amazing journey: the acoustic Who lineup, featuring one-time audience member Simon Townshend (left)
JORDANHUGHES
“WELL,we’ve done two hours of rehearsals,” says Pete Townshend, sidling on like the lankier half of Pete and Dud, “so it’s absolute shite…” When Roger Daltrey decided he needed to get personally involved with his traditional week of Teenage Cancer Trust gigs at the Albert Hall, this acoustic Who show, cheaper than their full-power juggernaut, was his solution. It’s hard to picture the Stones permitting the resultant half-sloppy, tightrope stumbles. But building on the gripping acoustic core of The Who’s 2019 orchestral tour – still to hit Britain – they take the opportunity to investigate littleplayed songs and focus in the moment. No longer operating as a heritage act, The Who come intimately alive.