But that wasn't enough discouragement, evidently.
Sadly, the show wasn't sold out -- not even close. They closed down a large section towards the back and moved everyone including us off to the sides. Never mind my spending considerable time with a ticket agent downtown to get behind the mixing console for a straight-on view; I can see the speaker arrays perfectly silhouetted by the massive projector screen that I can't see now. Thanks Amalie Arena. Hours afterward, the Tampa Bay Times called it a "packed" show. I supposed they mean packed to the sides after hoisting a giant curtain over several sections of empty seats?
"Come on, man!"
That's simply why I don't often (gotta stress *often*) support the large tours. For me, and with very few exceptions, the best concerts have always taken place in the smaller venues for a reasonable ticket price. I get the economics; it's just not for me.
Okay, got the whining out of the way.
How was the show? Hmmm... there's that technical side of me that rarely sees absolute perfection. The executions weren't perfect. FOH engineer struggled with vocals all night, missing Joan's mix entirely for the first three songs. Got it by mid-set, however. Joan's performance on the other hand was flawless. Love her and her show - great opening gig! To comment on Thommy Price's drumming -- SOLID. You gotta love those aging journeyman unsung pro types touring around with these medium-interest '80s acts. They still got it, and it never sounded better. Same goes for Joan. Timeless!
Then came The Half Who.
I know, I shouldn't chide them for missing the others. Actually, they were more than a Double Who. No less than three keyboardists, an auxiliary guitarist (Pete's younger brother), and another bloke hidden just behind the stage doing..what? The drum monitor mix? Hard to tell upstairs, mind you. I accounted for the loss of lows (kick drum and bass), but the dynamics (compression) was just WAY off on Roger's vocals most of the night. Tour's first night blip? Likely. I've heard much worse, however. They messed up Roger's harmonica mic, too. He dropped it on the stage and took care of business using his main vocal mic. No worries. If that's the only sound complaints, that ain't bad. Performance-wise, nearly flawless although there was a blown break on "My Generation." Couldn't point a finger at anyone in particular - Roger? Zak? Nobody noticed, and doubtful anyone cared. Roger laughed it off and kept going. So did I.
Now the other side that enjoys the art of a good show.
Honestly, I watched a couple Who shows on YouTube in the weeks prior. I'll stop doing that. It heightens one's expectations. Those are perfect, edited presentations. Get real! Of course, the kids are aging and well past performance prime. How good could it be? How about, incredible? Yeah, that's a close enough adjective. You know, that's what it comes down to for me - the takeaway. You can be over 70 and still rock. Not just rock, either -- KILL it! Some bullets? (just off the top of my head...)
- Over two hours of straight show had plenty for everyone.
- Surprise songs where "Magic Bus" "Slip Kid" and "A Quick One"
- Sorely missed where "Bargain", "Squeeze Box" and "5:15"
- Nice surprise presentations and productions for "Quadrophenia" and "Magic Bus", and "Join Together"
- Zak Starkey IS the drummer for The Who. I can't picture anyone else after the last 20 years. The fit is too perfect. One gripe though: didn't care for the subtly-alternate groove he plays on "Eminence Front". Otherwise, he's the man.
- No Encore? Yeah, no encore. The show ended with two of their best-known hits. That's it - no mas! (a tad dissapointing, but really, what else could they have played after Baba O'Riley and Won't Get Fooled?) We weren't complaining.
- Vocal harmonies were delicious. Having extra available singers made for max production. Suspect there might have been a little prerecorded filler shenanigans on a couple songs. For The Who, it's allowed, right?
More Soon,
/T
