In case anyone needed convincing The Who proved by sheer brute force on Monday that they are the most exciting rock group in Britain, and probably the world.

Kicking off in the first of several concerts planned by the Astra Agency at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, the group launched a savage attack which left the ears of a packed audience ringing painfully — but still wanting more.

There is no finesse or sophistication about the Who’s music. It is pure unadulterated rock, which blasts you off your feet, puts the boot in and batters you senseless.

The group are as exciting visually as they are musically. The focal point is Pete Townshend, the pencil-slim figure, who leaps and gyrates around the stage, kicking out wildly like an insane Tiller girl, while still managing to lay down some of the fiercest guitar work around.

Out front is the villainous looking Roger Daltry who tears his tonsils to shreds as he loses himself in a mass of woolly hair, leather fringes and swirling microphone which he flings high over the heads of the audience.

Behind them is that octopus, perpetual motion drummer Keith Moon. Looking like a lost schoolboy, he peers over his massive kit and hammers out a vicious rhythm, discarding his broken sticks as quickly as a chain smoker does for a packet of twenty.

INTEGRAL

But there the action ends. The fourth member, John Entwistle, leans against his amp looking totally bored with the whole proceeding. However, his disinterested appearance is entirely misleading for his plodding bass lines are an integral part of the group’s sound.

The Who’s stage act is basically the same as it has been for the past two years, but it now also includes two new Townshend songs, "Water" and "I Don’t Even Know Myself." They also featured the excerpt from their opera "Tommy" which I have always considered far too long for a stage performance but nevertheless still remains a winner with the fans.

They concluded with old favourites, "Summertime Blues," "Shakin’ All Over" and "Twist and Shout." From anyone else these would probably have sounded dated but not from the Who. They have left their mark on pop music and it will take some patching up.

In the first half of the concert, local group Trapeze revealed with their set why they have recently been receiving praise from the highest quarters.

HEAVIER

Since the departure of two of their members they have reverted to a heavier sound but one which is sharp and precise. This they owe to the drumming of Dave Holland whose economic style provides an excellent foundation.

Lead singer Glenn Hughes also revels in his new found freedom and his soaring vocals scored heavily on "Seafull" and "Suicide."

Astra representative Alan Clayton told me after the concert that everything had gone very smoothly and he was delighted that The Who had played for almost two hours which was 40 minutes over their schedule. "I’m sure the audience got excellent value for money," he enthused.

Other concerts planned by Astra in the near future at the Wulfrun Hall are: September 5, Matthews Southern Comfort; September 12, Argent and If; September 19, Raymond Froggatt and a 26 piece orchestra; September 26, Trapeze and another name yet to be booked.

In addition, there will be a concert at the Civic Hall on September 21 featuring the offshoot group from The Nice, Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

The Who, who hammered their way to another success at the Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, on Monday with their own brand of powerhouse rock. From left to right are Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Pete Townshend and Keith Moon.