Face Of Cheam

The Who returned to the legendary Roundhouse venue in Chalk Farm to close the BBCs Electric Proms. The Roundhouse is a new venue for me, having not hosted gigs for over twenty years. Smaller than you would have thought it holds about 1500 people and has a small low down stage. Circular as you’d expect the stage turns the audience into a semi circle around it.
The Who were supposed to be playing their mini opera ‘Wire & Glass’ but in the end kept to a similar set that they have been playing in the U.S. with only the extract released as a single a month or so ago being played as the opera. As always they were good, but alas we had no encore and hence no ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ or ‘Wont Get Fooled Again’. Several new songs though, ‘The Man In The Purple Dress’ standing out as did the set ender ‘Tea & Theatre’ performed just by Daltrey & Townshend.
They are supposed to return to the UK next year, hopefully doing more shows than the rumoured Glastonbury festival closer.
Almost forgot, but the support were The Fratellis who I enjoyed, especially their cover of Goldfrapps ‘Ooh La La’. A three piece, they reminded me a little of Cast with a punchy guitar pop sound. May well get their album at some stage.