This again is another interesting piece from the Broadgate Gnome on the Who's concert at the Lanchester Poly (Now
Coventry University) in 1971. Although a regular at the Lanch, I was unable to afford to get into this one. The played in the cellar concert hall at the Lanch and the little windows were opened behind the stage are so we managed to watch some of it from backstage almost. We noted the the patched up jeans and the Rolls Royces outside! But it was a great concert. Here is the Gnome's take on the concert -
The WHO concert at the Lanchester proved to many (including our friends in blue) that a full scale show with a top name group can be put on in Coventry without the expected rough and tumbles that are associated with it. When the Who arrived, they were more than pleased with the layout of the place, including the extra power supply and the drinks in the dressing room. They gave a gig that lasted about an hour and a half, starting with a couple of warm up numbers, one of which was called Water. and should be released on a single before Christmas.
The WHO are never really appreciated unless they are seen live, they really are a visual thing. They struck me for some strange reason as being a very clean and hygenic band, no sooner than they were on stage and they were playing away - a sure sign of good management on the side of the Roady.
The gig was good, very few breaks for farting about with the equipment as is so prevalent with some groups. Very professional. They do live up to their big band name as one could judge by the amount of equipment taht was used (a quarter of the hall was taken up by the special stage etc.) The gig never really got going until they broke into My Generation and from that point onwards there were people seen standing up from the well seated crowd doing their own thing and generally causing a bit of hysteria. The light show that was used was effective with the audience and the music, including a feeling that if you looked away then you were sure to miss something. It was good and well worth the money.
Comments