LARZ
One of the world’s highest paid pop groups has hit the audience at Halmstad. Four English boys with real knowledge of how to get along with their crowd. They call themselves The Who and has, since about a year or so, been frequent guests on hit-record lists all over the world. Yesterday, they showed that, apart from the music, they also are a visual act.
They think that all too many pop groups are just standing on stage, playing music without a thought that the audience also has the option to listen to their records on the radio in the comforts of their homes. The Who, on the other hand, wants that when the audience have the opportunity to watch a pop group up-close, they should be able to experience visually. That, you are able to do when they’re in action, but they can also make it sound good as well, such as Barbara Ann.
But, returning to the visual aspect, it can be said that Roger Daltrey performs in a priestly garb, that Pete Townshend’s jacket is designed after the English flag Union Jack, while the excellent drummer Keith Moon joyfully twirls drum sticks during each number. His large drum kit would, incidentally, be enough for two regular dance orchestras.
Pop art is what The Who shows off. It is funny, different and cleverly done. They have become a kind of symbol for their generation and their music can be seen as a protest against the adult world. When they, during the final number, turns over, smashes and abuses their instruments, this is a statement of their suspicion and despise against the conventions and stiffness to be found in daily life.
This is one way of expression in pop music, and nobody does it better than The Who. They were a very positive surprise, indeed.
Behind the stage, they are somewhat calmer, but they do have very strong opinions on just about everything, but I will return to that on Saturday.
During the pop-gala, several other somewhat more conventional pop groups also appeared. Nicc-A-Teens were, as usual, the best of these, but their stage performance is still incredibly boring. If this is due to nervousness or not shall remain unsaid, but let’s hope they’ll shape up until next time. Their interpretation of the Cilla Black song I Love You is in any case so good, that by comparison, it is better than most of the more well known Swedish pop groups. Dandy’s have shaped up considerably, and was a small surprise. A bit more rehearsal on the harmonies during the Hollies songs wouldn’t hurt, however. Finally, Mad Teacher, from Varberg, doesn’t differ much from other bands in their playing, but what they do, they do nicely.
About 1,200 people had fun at Folkparken. Not bad for a Monday night.
