Such is the remarkable enduring popularity of the Eagles that, with merely a History of the Eagles DVD to promote, the tour of the same name still warrants four O2 nights. Having sold over 125 million records, they have nothing to prove: part-sublime, part-misconceived, last night’s show often felt like it.
If the 60-somethings have become greyer (Joe Walsh), balder (Bernie Leadon), tubbier (Don Henley) and unnervingly unchanged (Glenn Frey, Timothy B Schmidt) since their O2 dates in 2008, the harmony vocals which always set them apart are still a supertight, other-worldly wonder, most spectacularly deployed on Heartache Tonight and Take it to the Limit.
A no standing, no texting, no photos edict was barked across the O2, but the Eagles were always more about craftsmanship than excitement. Their mammoth, three-hour, hit-laden, roughly chronological set showed that while this often cynical, always intelligent music defined an era, it remains timeless, aside from Walsh’s tired comedy turn Life’s Been Good: “I wish I hadn’t written this song because I have to play it for the rest of my life”.
Their obsession with detail is legendary, but they forgot (or gave up on) the “History” promise. Initially there were wry anecdotes, but halfway through the first half the personal touches were usurped by video links as the band watched themselves. After the interval, the awkward, silent darkness between songs suggested a work in progress rather than the definitive live record of one of the great bands.
Eagles play O2 Arena on June 18, 20 & 21, theo2.co.uk
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