Pete Townshend

THERE’S still just over a month to go before the new Who line up play their first London date with a massive show at Wembley Stadium; but there was something of a preview at this late-night political benefit. The concert was one of a series raising money for the defendants from last April’s Southall clashes, and the hall was decked with slogans Rock Against Racism and Southall Kids are Innocent.

All the chairs at the Rainbow had been removed, making the place hotter and sweatier than ever, and Pete Townshend — making a rare solo showing — responded by coming on as the oldest, most venerable punk of them all.

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Pete Townshend. Rainbow

Admittedly he had the vast batteries of the Who’s sound equipment and lighting rig to help him (including those blinding lights traditionally switched on at the end of Tommy), but he still seemed an accessible superstar out to enjoy himself.

He was backed by the new Who drummer Kenny Jones (sounding, if not acting, an admirable replacement for the lamented Moon), and a small band on harmonica, bass and keyboards.

He gave some indication of what his forthcoming solo album will sound like, with the pounding Cat In The Cupboard, but otherwise stuck to oldies like Big Boss Man, and of course a selection from the history of the Who. Townshend hasn’t the clarity or attack of Daltrey’s voice, but he didn’t do so badly. By the time he’d finished with Let’s See Action and My Generation, with a little Rottenesque diction slipping in, and had jumped across the stage cartwheeling his hands across his guitar, it was almost a vintage Who night.