The Who in the desert

OK, well, blogger just puts these photos wherever it wants, I guess. Not he most artful arrangement, but there it is. Finally, two weeks later, I am uploading some pics from The Who's blistering set at Indian Wells Tennis Garden out in the California desert near Palm Springs. After their traditional first few songs without interruption, Pete addressed the crowd at the fairly intimate, outdoor venue. "I've always wondered what it was like in the deep, deep desert," he said. "It's f**king cold! And it's windy. And it's dark," he continued, to much laughter. "You're very lucky people to live here."

The Web is filled with reviews and synopses of many shows from this tour. I won't go song by song or anything, except to say that from the fifth row [the closest I've ever sat at a Who show], they were on fire. And I think it's just fantastic how many songs from the new record they are playing. Pete keeps apologizing for it and I wish he wouldn't, but I suppose he feels it heads off grumbling from fans who want to hear the hits. There are plenty of them still in the set list, but I admire their determination to give the new material its due. I am glad I got to hear "Black Widow's Eyes" from the new CD as they seem to have stopped playing it live since that night. Pete had some problems with his guitar rig, at one point pulling at his headphones and visibly yelling to someone offstage, "It's loud!" But I thought the song sounded great live. As did "Fragments" from the new record. Much more powerful live, somehow, with great visuals on the impressive video screens.

Memorable moments: Meeting Mikey Cuthbert during the opening act. "Man in a Purple Dress" was just dynamite, with a simple acoustic guitar and Roger's theatrical vocals. "Eminence Front" was surprisingly powerful, and the new "Mike Post Theme" had Pete and Zak working off each other beautifully. Pete allowed the end of "Baba" to drag out, with poor Roger puffing away at his harmonica as Pete counted from 1 to 9 with the audience, finally declaring that "Nine is a good number" and stopping. Hilarious. During the sublime "Tommy" encore, Pete came way downstage at one point, wielding his guitar like a machine gun, and slowly strafed the audience from stage right to left, all the while visibly spewing foul invectives that no mic picked up.

Sitting so close, I really appreciated the stamina of these guys. Roger somehow looks like he stepped out of a time machine from the 1979 tour, and Pete still windmills and thrashes his way through two grueling hours. Zak is a force of nature on drums, and I really appreciated Simon Townshend's contributions this night. During the new mini opera [which is so energized on stage], Simon plays several instruments while also contributing key backing vocals. He is vital to the current live sound of the band.

And "Tea and Theatre" is a gorgeous end to the show. Just Pete and Roger, an acoustic guitar and a mug of tea. Roger sings it like it's the last thing he'll ever sing. Just perfect.

This is no nostalgia tour, kids. They are a vibrant, spontaneous, creative force. If they are rolling into your town, I encourage you to pick up a ticket. I'm so glad I made the two-hour drive to the desert.