Pete Townshend – Live At Sadlers Wells 25.02.2000

After the success of the Lifehouse radio play and subsequent six CD box set, Pete announces 2 shows at London’s Sadlers Wells theatre. Having enjoyed the Shepherd’s Bush gig so much, I decided I couldn’t get enough of Pete and the Who.

Purchased two tickets from Ticket Web again, choosing seats on the upper tier section front row; fantastic view!

The theatre is more renowned for showing ballet; you realised this by seeing the advertisements on the board outside. Once inside the layout and acoustics were impressive – they could definitely present more established acts here.

Settled into our seats, the show starts. 5 minutes in, it felt like a classical concert – I couldn’t foresee the rest of the show. This was the line-up of his band:

John Bundrick - Backing Vocal, Keyboards
Chyna - Vocals
Peter Hope-Evans - Harmonica
Jody Linscott - Percussion
Chucho Merchan - Bass
Billy Nicholls -Vocals
Phil Palmer -Vocals
Cleveland Watkiss - Vocals

Plus the London Chamber Orchestra

Teenage Wasteland begins and the Solo performance commences. Though not as strident or aggressive as a Who show, it was a great concert. Pete described in detail about the story of Lifehouse and the eventual release of the box set. (I brought at the venue)

Fantastic night. It would be a nine month wait till my next Who concert.

Here’s the Set List:

One Note – Prologue (7/10 Classical)
Purcell: Fantasia Upon One Note (7/10 Classical)
Teenage Wasteland (9/10 Nice contrast to the Baba O’Reily version)
Time Is Passing (9/10 prefer the Who’s version but great nonetheless)
Love Ain't For Keeping (10/10 the backing vocalists sang this song, very nice)
Going Mobile (9/10)
Greyhound Girl (10/10 One of my favourite PT solo songs)
Mary (10/10 I don’t understand why the Who never recorded this)
I Don't Know Myself (9/10)
Bargain (9/10 a slower pace to the Who’s version, which I prefer)
Pure And Easy (10/10 Should have been on Who’s Next)
Let's See Action (10/10 Extended bridge. There was a 20 minute break after this song)
Hinterland Rag (6/10)
Baba O'Riley (9/10 Love it though I’m listening to Teenage Wasteland more these days, possibly as I’ve heard it at every concert)
Behind Blue Eyes (9/10 slightly different version)
Sister Disco (9/10)
Getting In Tune (10/10)
Relay (8/10 Like the Who’s version better)
Who Are You (9/10)
Join Together (10/10)
Won't Get Fooled Again (10/10)
Song Is Over (10/10 One of my favourites from Who’s Next)
Can You Help The One You Really Love (7/10 He’s wrote better since then, i.e. Wire & Glass)