Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There are few albums that emphasise and capture a moment in British history as well as The Who’s Quadrophenia, a work not just of outstanding cultural reference but a recording that simply blows others in its class away, outstanding lyrics, music that causes the brain to absorb the depths of imagery, and one that just feels every moment of angst for a generation betrayed by growing up in the shadow of the aftermath of World War Two. Of freedom of expression, but not knowing how to harness it enough to overthrow the shackles of post war hypocrisy completely; in short they don’t make them like The Who anymore, and they don’t make albums as raw, as telling, as beautiful as Quadrophenia.

Whilst fans and lovers of this seminal British recording will arguably never see any member of the creators perform it again, it is an album which still inspires many to put their stamp on it, to recreate it, to employ a sense of magic in bringing it the theatres and the audience’s ears, and arguably none more so than the band The Goldhawks.

Faithful is perhaps a word today that blurs, we have become entrenched with the idea of change as a momentary expression, of getting us through the next session, of the next love, if we can change our football teams, our partners, as quick as an eyelid roll, then what hope is there in recreating with the authentic sound, the vision held by one of the foremost bands in British music history.

Being faithful in the stage sense though doesn’t mean donning the look, just the sound, the attitude and the presence; and it is in this that the devoted pleasure hits home with sincerity and warmth as each note by the eight piece band rings around the Epstein Theatre with grandeur, with honour, and as songs such as The Real Me, Cut My Hair, The Punk and the Godfather, the sublime 5.15, Bell Boy and Love, Reign O’er Me surveyed the passion in the audiences’ faces, it was the idea that faithful is a noble pursuit, that grace and class stand for all time, and should you ever witness it even once, that it yours forever.

A stunning night of music recreated by The Goldhawks, and whilst you might ask yourself, “Why should I care?”, the answer is simple, because The Who and their music has stood the test of time with honour and Quadrophenia is the living proof of that.

Ian D. Hall