Friday at British Summer Time was special, not just because this was potentially the last date The Who will play in their home town, but also the sheer quality of the support which included some of the most influential British artists of the past five decades performing on the Great Oak Stage.

Johnny Marr got things going, kicking off with the upbeat ‘The Right Thing Right’ which reflected the positive mood of the crowd, the set included a great version of ‘I Fought The Law’ in a similar style to The Clash. Everyone knew what the final track would be, but that didn't take away the pleasure of hearing one of the greatest riffs ever, yes The Smiths ‘How Soon Is Now?’ sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first released.

Photo Source: British Summer Time

The bar had been set, would the The Kaiser Chief’s be able to meet the challenge, in short Yes! The Kaiser Chief’s, always seem to perform well at festivals, as they can play their greatest hits show, and so it is today. The ever chirpy frontman Ricky Wilson jumps, struts and poses around the stage getting the whole crowd involved, ‘The Angry Mob’ gets the fists pumping, by the time it gets to ‘Ruby’ it’s clear the beer and sun are having an effect on the crowd as the singing becomes more raucous, closing with ‘I Predict a Riot’ which trigger dad dancing and fist pumping.

Photo Source: British Summer Time

Paul Weller has never been an artist to reflect on past glories, and you can understand why, he is still issuing new music every bit as good as his earlier material, so the set spans his whole career. Starting with ‘Changin Man’ followed by the psychedelic ‘White Sky’ taken from his latest album ‘Saturn’s Pattern’. Miles Kane joins him on stage for the ‘That’s Entertainment’ much to the delight of the assembled masses. The new material is received politely, but it’s the old material that generates the biggest reaction ‘You Do Something to Me’ gets the crowd swaying but its ‘Town Called Malice’ that gets the biggest reaction.

As the mod father leaves the stage there is a feel of anticipation and excitement, which is more akin to a teenage audience seeing a band for the first time, rather than a crowd made up of predominantly middle aged men.

Photo Source: British Summer Time

As they walked on stage just after 8:00 Pete’s first observation was "You are a long way away, but we will fucking reach you," and reach them they did.

The Who Hits 50! Tour is a celebration of The Who (not just Townsend and Daltry) there are countless images of both Moon & Entwistle projected onto the enormous Great Oak Video Screen. Despite both being in their 70’s they go about their performance with the energy of men half their age, Daltry’s voice is still strong and slight more rounded while Townsends guitar work is as powerful as ever, and the windmill’s just as flamboyant, albeit without the jumps of days gone by.

As Pete hits opening chords of ‘Can’t Explain’ trigger the start of 2 hours of pure unadulterated nostalgia, much to everyone’s delight, next up it’s the much under rated ‘The Seeker’.

The hits just keep coming Townsend dedicates ‘Pictures of Lilly’ to the mod father Paul Weller (quite strange when you reflect the subject matter of the song). ‘My Generation’ was introduced by Townsend as “A song for anyone anytime, anywhere" and it truly is, as teenagers joined their dad’s singing the chorus. ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ provides Daltry the opportunity to use both his full vocal range.

While introducing ‘Bargain’ Townsend reminds the audience that he predicted the internet (albeit that it was known as the Grid). Quadrophenia seemed to be a little underrepresented in the set, however ‘Love, Reign O'er Me’ has never sounded better with Townsend’s intricate guitar work and Daltry screaming over the thunderous drumming of Zak Starky and bass of Pino Palladino.

There was no chance to flag with four tracks from Tommy kicking off with ‘Amazing Journey’ through ‘Sparks’ into ‘Pinball Wizard’ and concluding with ‘See Me, Feel Me/Listening To You’.

Photo Source: British Summer Time

‘Baba O’Riley’ brings the house down, the thunderous bass line see 65,000 fists punch the air, as we all reflect on ‘Teenage Wasteland’, Daltry’s harmonica break sees random Irish jigs throughout the crowd. Pete introduces the band before the inevitable finale ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ Pete’s windmills hit new peaks but alas Rogers mike spinning is kept to a minimum, this was the perfect ending to a special day.

If this was to be The Who’s last London performance they certainly went out with all guns blazing and will live long in the memory. To paraphrase Pete ‘I will get down on my knees and prey’ that this was the first of their last performances in London, can they still do it? You Better You Better You Bet.

Article by Mick Game