Russell Hughes
Quadrophenia may be the story about mods in Brighton, but that doesn't mean it won't connect to a Newcastle crowd - in fact, the mod spirit was alive and kicking amongst the sold out Metro Radio Arena.
Heavy in nostalgia, pictures and videos of The Who in their pomp played out behind the band as they played through their two hour 15 minute set that included the album "Quadrophenia" played in its entirety.
And while the sands of time inevitably do their work on the appearance of the only two Who members left standing, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, it could do nothing to blunt their voices or take the edge off their rock and roll soul.
Townshend still played his guitar like he did back in the day, and Daltrey still swigs the microphone in great arcs around his head - the only change being the arm whirling around contains a few more wrinkles and grey hairs.
The surviving members are still dearly attached to their two fallen comrades, and they resurrected Keith Moon and John Entwistle via video to play a part in the show. Entwistle, via footage recorded in the early 2000s, provided an absolute bass guitar masterclass, while Moon provided a section of the vocals to Bellboy - again through video from the 70s.
The best part of the night, for most, was when Quadrophenia was finished and The Who could get on with playing their hits. There would have been a crowd surge, if everyone wasn't sat down.
Song such as Baba O'Reilly, Pinball Wizard, and Who Are You stole the show and left the crowd wanting and begging for more songs like My Generation and Substitute.
However, the night was all about Quadrophenia. A story, ultimately, about redemption.
For The Who, there is none needed, for they did no wrong.
