Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Just a little over a 24 hours since he went on stage as part of a phenomenal line up at the Echo Arena, Simon Townshend graced the Liverpool o2 Academy with a set that burned with excellence and unequivocal energy.
As part of The Who alongside Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, Simon had rocked and stormed the large arena in town and given those present one of the loudest concerts they are likely to hear all year. When stepping onto the stage at The Academy though, he was more sedate and laid back but funnily enough just as intense and creatively thunderous, it was almost as if the spirits that had guided him as part of the much loved British band were still hanging around and urging him to continue the good work.
Away from the curbs placed by such a powerful and immense production, Simon was able to give those present, many of whom had also been to the show the previous evening but joyfully there to hear his own back catalogue, a superb performance which was as every bit as exciting but with the knowledge this was purely and simply about him and no-one else.
Opening up with the track Electric Friend seemed to be the perfect start as he showed his eagerness and skill of his chosen instrument to great effect and infront of an ever increasing appreciative audience. Not once throughout the evening did the tempo slow and even though he must have been completely fatigued after a such an exhausting night at the Echo Arena, he still kept his fans enthralled with his energy defying music with tracks such as She Asked Me, About Love, the beautiful Saving Grace in which he played very much with family in mind, the excellent Looking Out Looking In, the brutal Denial and the upbeat I’m The Answer.
If the previous evening had been more than a gig, then this was bread and butter, this was Simon showing that his music is just as cool, just as exciting to witness live and above all that he deserves so much more recognition for his marvellous ability to thrill a genuinely adoring crowd.
Ian D. Hall