AGED rockers they may be, but The Who proved they could still deliver a powerful performance at tonight's Metroradio Arena concert.

Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry are eligible for bus passes and so are most of if not all of their fans.

But all the old energy was on display.

They were just careful to pace themselves over a two-hour set which included a complete run through of the concept album Quadrophenia - their most complete and enduring work some critics would say.

the two remaining members of the original four piece had reinforcements, Pino Palladino and Zak Starkey (Ringo's son) respectively taking the place of the late bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon, and with Simon Townshend (Pete's brother) on guiter.

They kicked off with a faithful rendition of the Mod magnum opus, Townsend's trademark power chords and Daltry's still-raw vocals enhanced by news reel footage from the era that spawned the original concept of the young misfit's search for an identity.

By the close Daltry and Townshend were visible and aurally flagging. But, these two legends are knocking on 70 and they deserved every last scrap of Tyneside's adulation.