Review: The Who, LG Arena, Birmingham

Surviving grey-haired originals, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, are touring a full performance of the band's legendary double album to mark the 40th anniversary of its release.

The expanded eight-piece band's triumphant and enthralling show opened with I am the Sea and The Real Me with Daltrey in fine microphone twirling form and Townshend delivering his trademark windmill guitar chords, both belying the fact that they are in their late sixties.

Images from The Who's early days were shown on the big screens through the gig, reminding fans of how they used to look. Townshend's brother Simon on guitar, Pino Paladino on bass and drummer Zak Starkey provided some excellent back up.

Daltrey was in superb voice as I've Had Enough got the fans going.

Vintage footage of late-bassist John Entwhistle's solo on the song was worked into the song, provoking some of the loudest cheers of the night.

Later, the same trick was employed on the performance of Bell Boy, with drummer Keith Moon's vocals included in the song.

Doctor Jimmy was one of the stand-out songs of the night and Quadrophenia was completed with Daltrey in full cry on Love Reign O'er Me.

Daltrey thanked the audience for turning out, saying: "Thanks for not going to Glastonbury."

The band then launched into some Who favourites, starting with Who Are You and You Better You Bet, before delivering a superb performance of Pinball Wizard.

By John Corser