The Who @ NIA

May 23 2007 By Andy Coleman, Birmingham Mail

YOU have to hand it to the Who - after more than 40 years in the biz and with just two original members left, they can still fill arenas around the world.

And for this tour fans are being treated to new material from the band's first album in 24 years.

A packed NIA welcomed 63-year-old Roger Daltrey and 62-year-old Pete Townshend - along with rhythm guitarist Simon Townshend, bassist Pino Palladino, keyboardist John Bundrick and drummer Zak Starkey - with open arms for the first date of the UK leg of the tour.

The reward was more than two hours of timeless tunes and classy compositions.

Not only was it a treat for the ears - it was a feast for the eyes as video screens were filled with an array of images, from spinning playing cards to scenes from Quadrophenia.

The Who like their concept albums and rock operas. Songs from Quadrophenia were reintroduced into the set and a chunk of Tommy made up most of the encore.

Townshend's new mini-opera, Wire & Glass, was showcased and there were powerful versions of Who Are You?, Baba O'Reilly and Won't Get Fooled Again, now CSI theme tunes.

Townshend's windmilling and Daltrey's mic swinging may not be as wild these days, but no Who show is complete without them.