Good Lord, my mind is blown. Before I get into the story, let's set the scene. This afternoon, the Eagles played a home game in Philly, and not long after, the Phillies started Game 4 of the World Series. Also tonight, the Who visited the Wachovia Center, for a concert that took place concurrently with the Phillies' game. Busy day in the sports complex area. Where was I, you might ask? Well, that would be the Who concert, of course, and it absolutely blew my freaking mind.

BG calls me at noon, and says, "Hey, want to go to the Who tonight, for free." (The guy who paid for the ticket had to back out. Obviously, Bob's got a bottle of whiskey coming his way.) Needless to say, it didn't really matter that I had to work. After about 30 minutes of a crappy opening band whose name escapes me, it was time to rock out... for the next 2 hours.

First, some general comments, then a setlist as I remember it. To begin with, whoever does the lights for the Who deserves a damn medal. The effects were amazing, and added measurably to what would have been an amazing show in its own right. Also, whoever says that old dudes can't rock, well, they are sorely mistaken. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend rock harder than anyone I have ever seen, and it physically exhausted me just watching them, I can't imagine actually doing what they do.

So, for a playlist. I'll double check it tomorrow when the reviews come out, but I think I was able to get it down pretty pat: Can't Explain; The Seeker; The Kids Are Alright; Fragments; Who Are You; Behind Blue Eyes; Good Looking Boy; Sister Disco; Baba O'Riley; Getting in Tune; ?; 5:15; Love Reign O'er Me; My Generation; Won't Get Fooled Again. Encore: Medley from Tommy, including Pinball Wizard; Amazing Journey; See Me, Feel Me; and Listening to You; concluding with an acoustic Tea and Theater.

The Who took the stage and Pete, almost a little too humbly says, "We know we're not the biggest game in town tonight," which is quite true, as most people were cheering just as loudly for the Phillies' updates they were getting on their cellphones, as they were for the songs being played. They rip off the first three songs rapid fire, including an amazing rendition of The Seeker. Who Are You and Behind Blue Eyes really ramp up the crowd, but an odd, if somewhat long Elvis tribute kind of calmed things down, but luckily Baba O'Riley soon followed, really getting the crowd back into the game.

Daltrey really hit one out of the park on Love Reign Over Me, my favorite Who song, and showed that he still has that gravely scream that drives the song home. Now, just as the band transitioned into My Generation, and I mean literally just, Ryan Howard hit a 3-run home run to put the Phillies up by 4. I really thought the roof was going to come off the joint; the place just exploded. To conclude the main set with Won't Get Fooled Again was genius. It left the crowd simmering, and quite frankly wondering what they could do for an encore. Though they missed some favorites (Magic Bus, Squeeze Box, I Can See For Miles), the encore they chose could not have been more amazing. They guys retake the stage to a roaring ovation, Pete quiets the crowd and says, "For our encore, excerpts from an opera." All I could think was Tommy. And I'll be goddamned if they didn't launch into a medley from Tommy that lasted for 25 straight minutes. No lie. After 90+ minutes of kicking major ass, they come back for a nearly 30 minute encore. Beyond mind blowing. The night ended with an acoustic and, dare I say, intimate performance of Tea and Theater, with just Roger and Pete.

The point: Singly the best concert I've ever been to, or will probably ever go to. Townshend's guitar was simply incendiary and Daltrey showed that even after decades of abuse, his voice could still rise to the occasion when called upon. My ears will be ringing for the better part of the next week for sure, but, really, would we want it any other way?