Review: The Goldhawks Perform Quadrophenia The Album Live!, York Barbican, April 25

HAVING just been to my first Scooter Rally in 32-plus years in Scarborough, reliving my Mod memories of Pete Townshend’s genius music and the sound of my Lambretta turning heads in the streets of York, it's thrilling to review Quadrophenia The Album Live! at York Barbican.

The thought of revisiting the story told about Jimmy, who was dissatisfied with life and everything around him, had me scrummaging through my old suitcases for my worn, green parker. Those were the days!

In the unlikely chance of us seeing any of the creators perform it again, my friend and I were excited to see how the eight-piece, world-class band, The Goldhawks, fronted by Doug Freeman, would put their stamp on The Who's music and bring this wonderful album back to life.

Freeman, with his arm in a sling, sang with all his might and even played the harmonica single handed while Marco Cape sang and played the guitar brilliantly. The intimate audience sang to songs such as I’m One, Is It In My Head and the most popular, Reign O’er Me, which made me, again, proud to be a Mod! The set was full of authentic radio clips and audio sequences from the 1973 double album.

A great night of music, and while you might ask yourself, "Why should I care?", the answer is simple: because The Who and their music have stood the test of time and Quadrophenia is the living proof of that.

Janie Tongue