The Who – The Kids Are Alright Tour – 1989

October 7th 1989 – Birmingham NEC

The Who, iconic, this would be their 25th anniversary tour…….25 years and still rocking the hell out of venues, well, after a break from each other!

The Who broke up in 1983, reforming for Live Aid in 1985, so I’d heard a fair bit of stuff by now and enjoyed the aggressive sound of the band, but had never really had the chance to see them in the flesh. As they were “getting on a bit” it was a bot of a worry if they could still play. The guys were all mid 40’s (ok, we know that’s not old now!). There was nothing to worry about…..

For one, we had nice seats along the side about half way up. Good view and the sound was definitely getting better year on year.

No support band, just three sets by The Who…..fantastic!

All the classics were in there, but even when we were hearing the album tracks, you could feel how strong the songs were that seemed like fillers on albums. I’ll never think a record can replace a live performance.

Roger Daltrey still had an immense vocal rage and such a strong singer. Pete Townsend is such an accomplished guitar player, he makes the impossible riffs seem so easy……maybe he couldn’t windmill quite as well as in the sixties, but he couldn’t stand still on stage and was off all over the place, such energy.

Not to leave John Entwhistle out, he provides a superb backing bass sound that holds the whole thing together. No Keith Moon anymore, passed away a long time ago in 1978,so on drums was Simon Phillips, who had played with Toto. There was also a second guitarist I think.

All in all, the best experience of the NEC to date and to have been in the presence of legends was fascinating. No band sticks around for 25 years or more without talent and drop dead gorgeous songs! Time would prove they would be around for a long long time yet.

The best part of 3 and a half hours later (with a couple of small breaks), they had played the portfolio loud and fast and slow and melodic. The range of music was fantastic. Some were mumbling it wasn’t The Who because of the extra players…..well, it was to us! Proud of any band that doesn’t just churn out the hits, but continually evolves.

This video give a clue to how on form they were, from an LA show on the tour.

Set List

Set 1

• I Can’t Explain
• Substitute
• I Can See for Miles
• Trick of the Light
• Boris the Spider
• Eminence Front
• Face the Face (Pete Townshend song)
• Secondhand Love (Pete Townshend song)
• I’m a Man (Bo Diddley cover)
• Overture
• It’s a Boy
• 1921
• Amazing Journey
• Sparks
• The Acid Queen
• Pinball Wizard
• We’re Not Gonna Take It
• See Me, Feel Me

Set 2

• Magic Bus
• Mary Anne With the Shaky Hands
• Baba O’Riley
• My Generation
• A Little Is Enough (Pete Townshend song)
• 5:15
• Love, Reign O’er Me
• Sister Disco
• Rough Boys (Pete Townshend song)
• Join Together
• You Better You Bet
• Behind Blue Eyes
• Won’t Get Fooled Again

Encore:

• Dig (Pete Townshend song)
• Play Video
• Born on the Bayou (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
• Who Are You