Who

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While onstage, the band members seemed more interested in getting something to drink.

Daltrey, still the archetypical rock singer, despite his close-cropped haircut, drew cheers whenever he twirled his mike like a lariat over his head or posed with clenched hands over his head and arched spine or stalked in a circle like a caged lion. And the now beardless Townshend’s patented leaps and splits had the same reaction.

But they used these crowd-pleasing gestures in almost every number, as if they had been calculated. The music was still excellent (despite Townshend’s broken right hand being in a cast), but the group’s famous high energy level seemed to come in waves. “They’re showing their age tonight,” one crowd member observed, “but they’re still good.”

Indeed, they are — from the opening notes of “Substitute” on through “Behind Blue Eyes” (with the audience singing along), “Who Are You,” “Long Live Rock,” “I Can See For Miles” (rarely performed in the last few years) and the climactic statement of post-Woodstock era disillusionment, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (complete with exploding flashpots).

After an unusually long encore call of 10 minutes, The Who finally returned to the stage to launch into an extensive set with a most suitable anthem for the sultry July night — “Summertime Blues.”