The Who cross the generations

Headliners close out F1 celebrations with a rock ‘n’ roll show of timeless classics appealing to young and old.

The Who performs at Du Arena. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // As the Yas Marina Circuit audience cheered its new Formula One champion, another crowd formed not far off in preparation for a slightly slower-paced event.

Both old and young came together to watch British rock legends The Who close out the F1 after-race shows at du Arena, taking up prime position in the front row hours ahead of the group's appearance.

The band followed performances over the weekend by Pharrell Williams, DJ Armin van Buuren and a slew of Arab artists.

And as the final act of this year's festivities, the band was in emphatic mode, kicking off with I Can't Explain, Substitute and Who Are You?

The attitude of The Who helped shape a generation, said Gordon Radcliffe, who has been a fan since childhood and now, in his fifties, still looks upon them as fondly as he did then.

“They were the first real rebels, the mods that turned rockers, and if they’re half as good as they were, it would still be a great concert,” he said.

With 11 albums under their belt, including debut record My Generation, released back in 1965, the band are set to release their 12th studio album next summer.

Despite having toured for the past six decades, the band showed no sign of slowing down at last night’s performance.

For husband and wife Barry and Sandra McDonald, who flew from the UK for the concert, the performance reminded them of their youth.

“They were the band that your mum wouldn’t let you see,” said Mrs McDonald.

“But, I think now she realises just how good the music is and she wouldn’t mind.”

Having seen them once before at a festival in the 1970s, Mr Radcliffe, who was joined at the concert by the McDonalds, said although he did not expect as much guitar-thrashing as the band were once known for, he expected a memorable performance.

"Although The Who haven't come out with younger music, they still embody that spirit," he said.

“But then, through the haze of being young and irresponsible, they were really very good.”

Good music, said Mr Radcliffe, outlives trends, and this is a band that younger people can enjoy despite not having grown up with them.

It was a sentiment shared by others in the audience.

"The Who are an undeniable great institution of music, it would be an absolute shame to miss out," said 22-year-old James Lloyd.

Even though his generation can’t relate to the cultural revolution of the 1960s, said Mr Lloyd, the music still represents a feeling that many can relate to today.

“It’s just great music, and even out of context of what was going on in the 1960s and the 1970s, we can appreciate it,” he said.

For Emirati Layla Al Neyadi, 24, the opportunity to see a legendary rock ’n’ roll band was not to be passed up.

“It might be a bit morbid, but if I missed out then I wouldn’t be able to say I saw one of the greats,” she said.

“Besides, it’s going to be such a great time.

“It’s especially nice when it’s this time of the year; we can just go out and enjoy something different.”