For a band that used to shun the spotlight, Radiohead seem to be actively annexing it of late. Three new RH developments that my colleague Gary Susman pointed out to me today:
1) Radiohead is headlining Lollapalooza ‘08, along with Rage Against the Machine, Kanye West, Wilco AND, interestingly enough, NIN. One wonders if they’ve made up, or maybe just figured out that the Internet is, after all, large enough for the two of them (big ups to the voracious appetites of young ‘uns in cyberspace!)
2) Radiohead has partnered with Pitchfork to kick off their new video section with an exclusive performance of "Bangers & Mash." (No comment here, save props to Pitchfork for a clean interface and a small but decently curated selection thus far.)
3) Radiohead has turned its W.A.S.T.E fan site into a place to, like, [insert valley girl accent] network socially? Here, now, you can upload profile pictures, post photos and video clips, invite friends to join, as well as buy "stems" (i.e., separate components of a song — guitar, voice, drums, etc.) to remix RH songs at your leisure. (Caution, freeloaders: you need to pony up $5.94 for the complete bundle to remix "Nude," the song currently on offer.) Keep in mind that you do not own your new creation — sayeth iTunes via RH, "You don’t have legal ownership of this music simply by cutting it up or whatever." Oh, snap!
I’m starting to feel a little like a microscopic organism in Radiohead’s cyber petri dish. What else can we make our fans do? Since I’m one of probably eight people in the world who think that In Rainbows was a little disappointing (and I consider myself a pretty RH big fan), I might be a little soured on the whole Radiohead 2.0 thing. But then again, I tend to be overly cynical when it comes to fansploitation. What do you think?
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Nine Inch Nails are the TRUE headliners of Lollapalooza. They are playing Sunday night. Sat and Fri night have to headliners.
http://digg.com/music/Reznor_vs_Radiohead_Innovation_Smackdown
Trent Reznor wins
The lads are just having fun, and they’re innovative. And what does headlining Lollapalooza has to do with taking over the internet?
“Nine Inch Nails are the TRUE headliners of Lollapalooza. They are playing Sunday night. Sat and Fri night have to headliners.”
go get laid. although I agree with the article
since when has trying to maintain visibility a negative thing…so maybe Radiohead is putting themselves out there but why not, they certianly deserve the attention and whatever comes from that is based on their merit..is it not cool or indie enough to be recognized…also, In Rainbows was if not dissapointing, not quite up to hype (Bodysnatchers rocks tho)
I think they can do pretty much whatever they want. Radiohead is a great band that I think has always stayed true to what they want to do. I don’t think they’ve sold out which is what this article is leaning towards.
Also…I’m pretty sure on the Lineup on lollapalooza.com radiohead is listed first my dear commenter who can’t just enjoy both NIN and Radiohead. Which is possible f.y.i
RH is just taking advantage of the times…is would be a disadvantage to not use the internet top its full potential, just look at their rather new myspace page.
Yes, Just double checked the Lolla site and not only is Radiohead listed first, their photo is the first thing that you see when the site loads. Sad person logging on here just to act like a toddler. Sorry, no. Don’t mean to insult toddlers.
Radiohead are merely adapting to our changing times and taking advantage of the immediacy and access offered by the net. As a fan, this provides yet another means to stay connected and current. Don’t see how it could possibly be called “fansploitation.” ? We derive all of the benefit. It is for us. Yes, I think you are a bit too cynical.
Also, I don’t get how In Rainbows was “a little disappointing” yet it was given an “A” in the review by the same author.
Wahhhhh!!! I hate In Rainbows!! Where’s my Britney Spears Greatest hit CD?
I don’t blame Radiohead for finally putting it out there. They seem to be taking baby steps in that direction. While it was kind of a breath of fresh air, having a band out there that wasn’t overexposed….I don’t hate Radiohead for it.
Radiohead isn’t selling out, they are trying to stay mainstream, they aren’t in their late 20’s anymore, so don’t blame for wanting to make it easier for fans to stay in touch with them.
Stop trying to find bad things to say about Radiohead.
I have decided that Radiohead is over my head. Even if it’s not true, I’ll live like it is.
What an embrassing post EW!
They’ve been away for 4 years for god’s sake.
Also they’re doing what bands normally do to promote albums, you know like headlinig festivals!
EW, what the…!!!!
they never said they were EVER shunning the mainstream….but really, this isn’t in the mainstream….most of the people on this w.a.s.t.e site are fans..and have already been apart of numerous websites devoted to them….including moi!!!
so stop saying crap about RH, find some real “pop” news to circulate instead of this garbage.
sorry they can’t keep up to your ‘high” standards EW.
I say let them do what they please. You know why? BECAUSE THEY ARE FRIGGIN’ RADIOHEAD. The same band that released OK Computer. The same band that still remains relevant after more than a decade in the music business. The same band that even after giving their fans the option to download their latest album for next to no cost months before its official release (which, ahem, is one of the best albums of 2007, as MOST critics and would agree), STILL debuted at #1 in the US and the UK. I still can’t understand why RH are getting any kind of flack for doing what they’re doing. Would you rather have an ‘artist’ like Britney Spears get this kind of exposure and publicity? I thought not (No offense, Adrienne Day). At least when you’re getting some musical substance when you’re listening to RH (Even if it is from a ‘disappointing album’). Furthermore, Radiohead’s not ‘making’ you do anything. If you don’t like it, kick rocks.
Greatest band ever. Just wanted to alert the writer that Radiohead is also hosting a competition with Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. They are asking budding animators to create a music video for one of their songs. A great promotion and nod to all the fans.
Not even going to go into how great In Rainbows is. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Cheers.
Love me some Radiohead. Just found out they are playing in NJ on 08/12. Very excited. That said, I liked In Rainbows. But, as time has passed, it might be the least listened to album. When a song from In Rainbows comes on my iPod, I usually skip it. I think it was less experimental than their previous couple of albums, which was good in the short term but ultimately makes the album fairly forgetable. I would like to see their next album be more organic. I want them to spend an entire album playing around with strings and traditional percussion in they same way that they have played with electronics on the past couple of albums.
I say soak it up while you can, because you know they’ll go back in hiding again one day and we’ll be wishing they were here!
Wow. i everything you wrote previous to expressing your disappointment w/ In Rainbows was instantly erased from my memory. while half the album was okay, the other half was amazing. so amazing i don’t care about the other half just being okay. i believe some day you will rediscover the touching beauty on In Rainbows. in many ways you are lucky that you have this discover ahead of you.
Fansploitation? I don’t think so. These guys have done more for their fans than any other band out there.
Fact:
Radiohead care about their fans more than any other living band.
Wow, I learned three things from this post and thread:
1) Radiohead fans are ferociously loyal
2) People think it somehow matters who headlines Lollapalooza
3) “Fansploitation” is now a word
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