Several of you mentioned yesterday that you are determined to see Radiohead in concert at least once within your lifetimes. My own relationship with the Oxford rockers differs slightly: I have made it my personal mission to witness their live show as many times as possible before I croak. Now, they don’t tour the U.S. all that often, and my dedication to this mission is limited by my simultaneous commitment to things like "not going broke" and "remaining employed," so I have actually seen the band on a comparatively paltry four occasions in the past eight years (plus one very cool set that Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood played on their own). The fourth was last night at West Palm Beach’s Cruzan Amphitheatre, the very first stop on a 40-odd-date world tour. It was a show I’d been waiting to see for nearly two years — pretty much since I got home from the last Radiohead show I saw, a June 2006 date in Boston.
Back then, they were midway through playing a series of smallish venues, road-testing the new material that would eventually become last fall’s In Rainbows. I don’t believe they’ve ever played those songs for a crowd as huge as the one that packed the amphitheater last night, though, a sea of adoring fans stretching way back past the proper seats into a verdant field. The stage was minimally adorned — a few light columns and a video screen, all energy-saving LEDs, plus several Tibetan flags — so it was just the five of them and all 20,000 or so of us, no distractions, no cushion.
"I have no idea how famous Radiohead are here," Thom (pictured, at a gig earlier this year) remarked a fewminutes into the show — kidding, I think, but you could forgive theguys for feeling some first-night jitters early on. First up was avaguely anxious-seeming run through new single "All I Need" (for which Thom sported a sharp white blazer, very Miami Vice);next, on "Bodysnatchers," Jonny appeared to break a string after theyswitched to full three-guitar attack mode, briefly interrupting theirmomentum. Yet by the time Jonny ripped into his solo for song three,"There There," the band’s jackets were off and they’d slid into acomfortable, captivating groove. They stayed in a sunny mood for therest of the balmy evening, frequently exchanging pleased grins with oneanother and the crowd. When another minor gear foul-up forced them torewind and play the last few minutes of"Arpeggi" all over again later in the night, Thom just cracked wise ina funny accent: "Sorry aboutthat, we obviously did not practees zees enuff!"
There was a time when Thom seemed to shy away from his voice’sangelic quality in concert, preferring to snarl or swallow his words.Those were great shows, too, but there’s something really special aboutthe way he’s allowing himself to sing out these days. He hit andsustained beautiful, clear high notes last night at the respectivepeaks of "Reckoner," "Nude," "How to Disappear Completely," as well asduring emotional encores of "Exit Music (For a Film)" and "StreetSpirit (Fade Out)." (Extra credit belongs to guitarist Ed O’Brien,whose backing vocalsshone throughout the show; he and Thom have become quite an affectingtag-team.) Best of all for me was "Bullet Proof… I Wish I Was." I’venever seen them play that ‘95 song live before, and it felt absolutelycleansing last night. All in all, a ballad-lover’s dream.
That’s not to say they neglected the spikier, more avant side oftheir catalogue. Thom actually looked happiest during the super-creepy"The Gloaming," hopping around the stage in a funky update on hispatented manic-monkey dance. They also did soulful versions ofturn-of-the-millennium staples like "Morning Bell," "Optimistic," and"Idioteque" — Kid A run through an In Rainbows prism, asit were. Similarly, they foregrounded the soaring melodies at the heartof rawk anthems like "Where I End and You Begin,""Airbag" ("This one’s a bit older, just like me"), "The NationalAnthem," "Just," and even the cacophonous B-side "Bangers + Mash."Radiohead’s career has produced so many songs of such palpable pain andalienation. It’s so satisfying, as a fan, to see the band revisit thatentire career arc now that they seem to be in a better-adjusted place.
So there you have it. Another mind-blowing night with, for thissuperfan’s money, the greatest band in the world. My only realcomplaint is that they didn’t play anything from 2001’s Amnesiac — which, of course, just means I’m going to have to make sure I catch them againthis summer, when they will no doubt make up for this omission. Tilthen, let’s hear it. Were any of you PopWatchers at last night’s show?Or are you planning to see Radiohead elsewhere on this tour?
Set list:
"All I Need"
"Bodysnatchers"
"There There"
"Reckoner"
"The Gloaming"
"Morning Bell"
"Nude"
"How to Disappear Completely"
"15 Step"
"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"
"Idioteque"
"Bullet Proof… I Wish I Was"
"Where I End and You Begin"
"Airbag"
"Everything in Its Right Place"
"The National Anthem"
"Videotape"
[set break]
"Optimistic"
"Just"
"Faust Arp" (acoustic)
"Exit Music (For a Film)"
"Bangers + Mash"
[set break]
"House of Cards"
"Street Spirit (Fade Out)"
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Boy he is pretty. I really want to see them live. Of course they aren’t really coming anywhere near here. They are doing one show in Indiana so anything can happen. That’s the really good set list.
Oh what a great set list. I’m seeing them in Dallas on May 18th, also outdoors…It’s been a very long wait to get to see them again. I only got to see them once and I didnt appreciate them at all at the time. They opened up for R.E.M. in 1995. I was like, hurry up and get off, I wanna see R.E.M…., what a dumba** I was back then.
Wow, Bullet Proof. I’m seeing them twice in L.A. this summer. I hope for Bullet Proof and Exit Music as well.
I was there in West Palm Beach last night, way, way, way at the top of the lawn, so I couldn’t see much monkey dancing, but the band certainly sounded good. I’m partial to “Kid A” and “Amnesiac,” so I guess I could have been happier with the set list, but they weren’t just there to entertain me. All in all, a pretty strong show, and those lit-up icicle things behind the band were pretty cool.
My wife and I sat (stood) just in front of Simon-self-proclaimed-Ultra-Radiohead-Fan!! Great article, and great to meet you….Thanks for helping out with the song progression.
I just got into Radiohead about a year ago and haven’t looked back since. Someone turned me on to OK Computer and a month later I had to have everything they’ve ever done…. They truly live up to all the Beatles comparasions and voluminous daunting hype you find on the net. I’m not sure that I remember the last time music moved me so much.
Last night was easily one of the best experiences I’ve had at a concert. If Radiohead comes within 100 miles of you this year, make sure you are there.
Wow, this set list makes me doubly excited to see them in Boston in August. And thanks, Simon, for the shout-out to Ed’s backing vocals – I’ve always thought he and Thom complement each other nicely.
I was there as well, and never having seen Radiohead before, I was absolutely in awe. I was honestly moved throughout the whole performance – it was perfection.
radio was amazing i dont really listen to them and seeing them live
was crazy the light show soo sweeet..
loved it
radiohead was amazing i dont really listen to them and seeing them live
was crazy the light show soo sweeet..
loved it
oh daddy, i cant wait to hear them. Charlotte the 9th, thats only two days away. and then again in germany in june at the southside festival. thats gonna be the sickest summer ever. cant believe i am this lucky.
Saw them on the pre-”In Rainbows” tour and wasn’t blown away, like I been at previous concerts. Had decided I wasn’t going to try again this time around, but this has me sold. Roskilde Festival, here I come!
That said, I can die a happy woman having heard them sing “Let Down” and “Black Star” live on their last tour. Here’s hoping for “Nude” and “Scatterbrain”!
Does anyone else listen to In_Rainbows at least once every day? i paid $200 over the ticket price just to make sure i got a ticket. It’s going to be the best thing I’ve seen or are ever going to see. RADIOHEAD IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST BAND OF ALL TIME.
Saw them in Worcester, MA in 1998 and just got my tix in the mail yesterday to the Boston show in August. Can’t wait. One of my all time favorite memories – My husband and I listening to The Bends on our way back down Waimea Canyon on our honeymoon last year. Priceless. This summer’s tix were expensive, but worth every penny.
I’m seeing them on Friday in Charlotte. Not for lack of trying this will be my first Radiohead concert! I can hardly wait!!!!
I was there!!!! Nude and Exit Music were AMAZING!!! The light display they used, with it’s bright colors and icicle was beautiful. Can’t wait to see them again.
I was at the West Palm Beach Concert and I still have goosebumps. I saw them last time thay came to WPB in 2003 and I still have not seen a better concert until Monday night. WOW! I was so happy they played Optimistic amongs other surprises! Exit Music(For a Film)was so dramatic and eerie it brought my wife and I to tears. Everything they played was incredible. I would have liked to sing a long to Paranoid Android but then again I would have liked 5 more encores. I just did not want the nioght to end.
I was at the West Palm Beach Concert and I still have goosebumps. I saw them last time thay came to WPB in 2003 and I still have not seen a better concert until Monday night. WOW! I was so happy they played Optimistic amongs other surprises! Exit Music(For a Film)was so dramatic and eerie it brought my wife and I to tears. Everything they played was incredible. I would have liked to sing a long to Paranoid Android but then again I would have liked 5 more encores. I just did not want the nioght to end.
Unbelieveable show. I caught the Tampa Bay stop on the tour, and I can’t get over the incredible visuals. Their lighting and video effects were literally designed for the Euphoric experience. Enjoy this one to the max.
Going this weekend to see them in Bristow, VA. It will be my first Radiohead show, iv waited so long for this one. Cant Wait!
The first time I tried to get Radiohead tickets was my freshman year in college (‘95), but my friend and I unfortunately didn’t get them. My wife and I are going to be at the Indy show in August, and I absolutely can’t wait.
I saw both the West Palm and Tampa shows. My hands are still vibrating from clapping through all of House of Cards. Amazing is an understatement.
For my money, too many casual/nonfans at both shows, though Tampa had both a bettter venue and crowd (not to mention a better show in general.)
Up next, hopefully Charlotte on Friday, definitely Vancouver and Auburn WA in August, and maybe just maybe, Lolla.
I saw the Tampa show last night and all I really have to say is WOW.
I forgot to mention that they gave us two encores, which were heavenly.
Our set list was a little different though:
Set 1: All I Need, There There, Lucky, Bangers & Mash, 15 Step, Nude, Pyramid Song, Optimistic, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, National Anthem, Idioteque, You and Whose Army?, Reckoner, Everything in it’s Right Place, Airbag, Bodysnatchers, Videotape
Encore 1: The Gloaming, The Tourist, Just, Faust Arp, Exit Music (For a Film)
Encore 2: The Bends, House of cards
Was lookin for the Atlanta setlist from tonights show and stumbled on this…nice.
I’m leaving in 10 hours for the Charlotte show. Then it’s back home for the Bristow show on Sunday which is practically in my backyard. Can’t wait!!!
This will be my 4th and 5th Radiohead shows. Saw them in ‘95 for The Bends tour, ‘97 – OK Computer (small club…about 1000 fans…one of the greatest shows ever) and 2003 – Hail to The Thief.
Was going to see back to back shows in 2001, but they were completely rained out…torrential…stage was sinking…cars literally were underwater…find me a boat…not cool…
See them as many times as you can…
Peace
I have tickets for the Charlotte show tomorrow as well. From the looks of this setlist, I am in for a treat! 1st time seeing them live, so this will be a night to remember. Best band of our time IMO.
No National Anthem last night. Or did i miss that…
Virginia Set list (5-11-08)
01. All I Need
02. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
03. Lucky
04. 15 Step
05. Nude
06. Pyramid Song
07. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
08. Myxomatosis
09. Idioteque
10. Faust Arp
11. Videotape
12. Paranoid Android
13. Just
14. Reckoner
15. Everything In Its Right Place
16. Bangers and Mash
17. Bodysnatchers
encore 1:
18. Like Spinning Plates
19. Optimistic
20. Karma Police
21. Go Slowly
22. Planet Telex
encore 2:
23. Fake Plastic Trees
24. The National Anthem
25. House of Cards
One of the most beautiful concerts I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. R A D I O H E A D is amazing and Thom Yorke is short of genius. Loved it. Lovely night…unforgettable.
The Radiohead show at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA was the worst experience I’ve had in 35 years of concertgoing. My wife and I left from Capitol Hill more than 90 minutes before showtime. Because of flooding on access roads and inept traffic direction by local police, I was stuck in traffic for 3 1/2 hours on the way there and arrived 2 hours late for the show. After all that, we were stuck in the back of a remote parking lot.
It was wet. It was cold (50 degrees). It was miserable. Fearing that we’d be lucky to get home by dawn if we stayed until the end, my wife and I left after half an hour.
Radiohead should never play Nissan Pavilion again. Combined with their Bull Run debacle in 2001, Radiohead owes DC an indoor gig soon.
It’s good! rolex watch?
luxury watch?