24 Apr 2012

Tokyo welcomes Tommy

Roger Daltrey and his band opened received a warm welcome by Japanese fans at International Forum, Tokyo last night for the start of his week-long tour of Japan.

A Japanese fan sent www.thewho.com this review:

What an amazing show! Roger and his band explode in Japan!

At the very beginning of the show, Roger let us know that bassist Jon Button had had an accident and broken his wrist and ankle, wished him a speedy recovery and introduced James Hunting, the new bassist for this tour, with a mention of his only 2 days rehearsal after a terrible jet lag.

The Show started. I immediately noticed the constant pounding of heavy foot on the floor, that was physically rocked!  Could you imagine seeing Roger in Roger boys enthusiasm, considering their power from the front row?

Tommy was incredible. Roger performed those songs as if he was a musical actor. Unexpectedly, Roger’s musical director and guitarist, Frank Simes, speaks Japanese very fluently. Some of the funniest moments were, his Japanese translations. He didn’t translate Roger’s ‘untranslatable’ F-word.

Before finishing the show with ‘Blue, Red and Gray’, Roger referred to Japan’s tragedy, which we are going to get through. He also talked about The Who’s tour plan (if they solve Pete’s hearing problem).

The gig was fantastic, enthusiastic, and the audiences were completely driven!

Thank you, Kallan, for the review – ed. www.thewho.com

SET LIST

TOMMY
OVERTURE
IT’S A BOY
1921
AMAZING JOURNEY
SPARKS
EYESIGHT TO THE BLIND
CHRISTMAS
COUSIN KEVIN
ACID QUEEN
DO YOU THINK IT’S ALRIGHT
FIDDLE ABOUT
PINBALL WIZARD
DOCTOR
GO TO THE MIRROR
TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME
SMASH THE MIRROR
SENSATION
REFRAIN – IT’S A BOY
I’M FREE
MIRACLE CURE
SALLY SIMPSON
WELCOME
TOMMY’S HOLIDAY CAMP
WE’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT

I CAN SEE FOR MILES
KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
BEHIND BLUE EYES
DAYS OF LIGHT
THE WAY IT IS
WHO ARE YOU
MY GENERATION /YOUNG MAN BLUES
BABA O’RILEY
WITHOUT YOUR LOVE
RED BLUE AND GREY

For details of and tickets for Roger’s remaining shows in Japan, click  HERE.

Photos by Yuki Kuroyanagi and Masanori Doi.