I had a ball at the show. They played all the expected hits, and featured a lot (all?) of the new album. The encore was a huge chunk (20 mintues?) of "Tommy" (with "Pinball Wizard" leading it off). The band was spot-on, especially Zack Starkey's drumming, which was thunderous. Pino Palladino was great on bass, and Simon Townshend filled out the guitar part of the soundscape. (StoneMtn, you may be right: I don't remember hearing much of Simon's guitar, but that may have been the mix. Simon Townshend is a solo artist, too, so I don't think Pete would have put him in the band if he didn't think it was good/useful.)
Musically, it was The Who: wall-of-sound power pop done right. As for a set list, I didn't keep track, but I remember "I Can't Explain" was the opening song (we were coming in during it), and I know they did "You Better You Bet", as well as all the hits (and the new stuff). I think it was about a two-hour show.
I liked the visuals, too. I think the animated images they were putting up on the screens had more content than, say, just geometrical lazers and lights.
I'm glad I went. All told, my musical weekend went like:
Friday, Dec. 1: Donavon Frankenreiter Band, opening for
Friday, Dec. 1: Gov't Mule (two sets)
Saturday, Dec. 2: Anike, opening for
Saturday, Dec. 2: Mr. Something Something (two sets)
Monday, Dec. 4: The Who
Monday, Dec. 4: Sisters Euclid (one-and-a-bit sets)
I think this may have been one of the better musical weekends for me in 2006.
Aloha,
Brad