The Who kicked off their farewell at the Capital Centre last night, but they hardly seemed like a band running out of steam. Still athletic as they push 40, the British quartet sounded as fresh and vital as at any other point in their legendary 17-year career. In fact, their best performances last night came on their newest songs.

"It's Hard," the title song from the new Who album, seemed to capture the spirit of the show, Pete Townshend's lyrics detailed the difficulty of persevering under pressure and against obstacles, whether it be a love affair, a cultural rebellion or a rock and roll tour. Roger Daltrey swung his microphone in giant loops around his head and caught it to belt out the anthemic chorus with stubborn determination. Mr. Townshend lifted the song past words as he played a fiercely committed guitar solo that refuted any suggestion of retreat.

The Who have always been particularly well-suited to the grand gestures needed to play in a basketball arena. Mr. Daltrey jogs,