Members of The Who relax in their dressing-room after their performance at the Colston Hall. They are (left to right) Roger Dalfrey, Keith Moon, John Entwistle and Peter Townshend.

The happy—and the satanic

Colston Hall, Bristol: The Who / Arthur Brown Show.

The happy, noisy confusion of The Who and the satanic, disturbing sight of Arthur Brown linked last night for the best pop show Bristol has seen in months.

Arthur Brown set himself on fire, The Who built up to a climax of decibels which would have caused Jericho a second thought about the safety of the walls and the whole show worked perfectly.

Arthur Brown didn’t miss a thing when it came to using all the stage effects he could possibly lay his hands on.

He arrived on stage in a halo of fire and managed to change costumes four times during his half hour spot.

From a rainbow coloured toga to a bare chested suit.

The act was—frankly—frightening but then it’s supposed to be. He screamed, shouted, laughed and cried in a voice that was more like an electric instrument than a man singing.

The Who were loud, tough and powerful. They had vivid vocal attack, an exciting guitarist in Pete Townshend and a spontaneous stage presence.

The group paid lip service to teenage fans by quickly singing a medley of hits but then they switched to a wilder, freer music than they’ve ever used on record, building to a deafening climax.

The Mindbenders raised a few eyebrows with their short spot. Not so long ago they were one of trite groups who came to fame in the Liverpool era.

But last night they came up with an up-to-the-minute sound and played interesting versions of “Omaha” and “My White Bicycle.”