REVIEW Roger Daltrey supported by Til Dusk at Broadlands, Romsey

THOUSANDS of fans were entertained by a rock master supported by one of Hampshire’s most promising bands. Roger Daltrey, legendary frontman of The Who, effortlessly delighted the crowds at Broadlands in Romsey. On stage for 150 minutes, and performing the band’s rock opera, Tommy, in full, he is still a world class act. Fuelled by endless cuppas, which led him to joke “you just think it’s tea”, there was fine stage banter and superb music.

Backed by hand-picked musicians, his set was supposed to start with Tommy but the weather intervened. On a day of showers, an ironic late burst of sunshine rendered the video screens briefly useless. They were needed for eye-catching footage created by Middlesex University students to accompany Tommy. So Roger filled time with classic tracks until the sun went down — what a hardship! The rock opera that followed was excellent. The evening ended with a Johnny Cash medley and more numbers from The Who including a barnstorming Baba O’Reilly.

The concert had opened with a 50-minute set from Southampton rock quartet ’Til Dusk. I first saw James McLaren, Ash Cutler, Chris Powell and Tom Ross at the Joiners Arms in Southampton a few months ago. It was great to see their big break and they did not drop the ball. Even the weather helped, with showers clearing to provide a rainbow over the stage during Lies They Sell. The track is the last on their debut album, Cold Lust. Proceeds from copies sold on the night went to the Teenage Cancer Trust, of which Roger Daltrey is a patron.

‘Til Dusk did their reputation no harm, and one Who fan within earshot said: “Really good for a pub band”. He would be advised to catch them ‘in the pub’ while he still can.

Warwick Payne