Huddersfield Daily Examiner on Leeds Wireless

[Brian Cady]

http://tinyurl.com/hk8fd

O2 Wireless FestivalJul 3 2006
By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
  
LET'S be honest here. The first O2 Wireless Festival
in Leeds was all about one band - The Who.

Hyde Park, London, may have boasted five days' worth
of middle-of-the-road festival-fillers as safe
accompaniment for the picnic-munchers.

But the prickle of anticipation that spread throughout
the quaint Harewood House venue ahead of the arrival
of Britain's finest was palpable.

A fantastic eclectic crowd had gathered on Sunday to
pay homage to the rock aces.

And, while it was a bit unnerving weaving a path
through picnic blankets and portable seating
arrangements, the God's of Mod united both teenage
Zutons fans and the now Guardian-reading teachers and
social workers into one huge, enthralling mass of
reverence.

But let's back-track 24 hours.

After taking advantage of the free shuttle-bus service
from Leeds Station to Harewood House late Saturday
afternoon, the crowds at the venue seemed surprisingly
sparse and nowhere near the expected capacity 40,000.

For festival veterans, the best indication on the lack
of numbers was that the good old portaloos had a
distinctly `sweet' aroma and there was even toilet
roll still available in the holders! Weird!

With warm lager, deep bass pumping and the smell of
falafel wafting across the site, I couldn't help
pining for those glorious fields of Pilton, Somerset,
in what was traditionally `Glasto weekend'.

Though this year, it has taken a year's break to allow
the farmland to recover.

A euphoric set by Rob Tissera, under canvas on the O2
Blueroom Stage, did the business before we went
mooching across to catch headliners Massive Attack.

Unfortunately their set sparked an early flurry of
punters heading back to their Audi Estates to beat the
traffic queues.

Sunday was shrouded in a different vibe.

Sven's men had done the business earlier, courtesy of
the `maestro of the free-kick,' David Beckham, and
everyone was in buoyant mood.

Mr Flaming Lips himself, Wayne Coyne, supported by the
customary stage crew of dancing Santas and inflatable
aliens, announced to the crowd: "We're only really
here to see The Who!"

A rocking one and three-quarter hours' set from
Daltry, Townshend and co. shot adrenalin levels to a
new high, as they introduced new tracks from their
forthcoming album.

But they also gave time-honoured classics from Tommy
and Quadrophenia, along with the stomping Kids Are
Alright, Substitute, Pinball Wizard and a blistering
encore of Won't Get Fooled Again.

With their set zig-zagging through their back
catalogue, it lacked the timeline structure through
Tommy and Quadrophenia which they had performed at the
2004 Isle of Wight Festival.

But young Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) was
bursting with confidence, hammering home drum rolls
with renewed vigor.

The windmill arms of Townshend, who was right on top
of his game, were whirling and Daltry who - despite
returning for the encore with cup of tea (an image I'm
desperately trying to erase) - remains the archetypal
rock God.

It was another stunning job well done. Long live!


-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com

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