![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Walkin' in your landscape
There's always been something about Radiohead fans that bothers me. Or rather, I think it's the image that non-Radiohead fans have of us. Walking round the Victoria Park arena before the gig I saw such a wide range of people, albeit most of them in the 20-35 age bracket. Now, I would count myself as someone who is, probably quite unhealthily, obsessed with Radiohead. I have been a fan for many years, I can happily talk about them, their songs, and how they might make me feel for hours on end. If it didn't sound completely pretentious I might go as far as to say I was a Radiohead conoisseur. All of my friends who we met up with for this gig are the same. But on Wednesday night I remembered that there really is such a thing as a less-passionate Radiohead fan. A fan-ette if you will. I overheard snippets of conversation from people who hadn't heard In Rainbows, even some who didn't own OK Computer. To me, this might be unthinkable, but to them this was just a nice night out with a bit of music thrown in. For the £50 ticket, £40 travel amd £25 accommodation that me and Mr Sylv had shelled out each (in theory - he paid for most of it on his trusty Barclaycard), we were expecting Thom to come out on stage shooting fireworks out of his arse and riding a golden elephant. Having said that, we were perfectly... even ecstatically happy when he didn't. Anyway, the point is, people may think that the "hardcore" Radiohead Elite are a bunch of shoe-gazing miserablists but this show was about jumping around, singing until you are hoarse, and punching the air with delight. Fun, pure and simple.
The weather that day was gorgeous. The sun was starting to set when Thom, Ed, Jonny, Colin and Phil made it on stage at about 8.15pm. Thom seemed in quite an ebullient mood, although there was minimal banter between songs, but he did utter the phrase "Cool beans" at one point which made me giggle.
As for the set... wow. It was great to hear all the newer stuff that they've released since I saw them last but really it was the oldies that made the night for me. 'Lucky' came quite early on in the night but as soon as it started I had goosebumps. Later on with 'The Bends' and 'My Iron Lung' in the first encore we had a good old singalong. A nice mix of old and new throughout the set kept those of us that knew everything squealing with happiness at every flip between In Rainbows and The Bends.
'There There' has never been one of my favourite songs, despite having a brilliant video, but it was damn good live. Ed and Jonny on their drums contrasted in quite a hilarious, but typical, way. Ed, ever serious, still throughout, solidly pounding away. Whilst Jonny was literally bashing the crap out of his, hair hanging down, swinging violently from side to side, and generally giving his all. Not that Ed wasn't giving his all - he was just doing it in his own way. Thom yoyo'd perfectly between crazy ants-in-his-pants dancing and standing stock still, mesmerising the crowd. Phil I couldn't see of course, being the shortarse that I am, expect for on the screens at either side of the stage. He looked very dapper in a shirt and tie. Colin was his usual quiet but bouncy self, occasionally coming to the front of the stage to get the audience clapping along, but just as quickly disappearing off into the back and into his own little world of bass rhythms.
One of the biggest highlights has to be everyone (including the moaning minnies - more of which in a bit) singing along to 'Karma Police'. They even added another chorus on the end for us to sing. Truly breathtaking.
'Myxomatosis' was a nice surprise. I'd been studying the previous night's setlist intently and wondering why on earth they'd included certain tracks ('The Gloaming' was the one that stuck out for me) so I see 'Myxomatosis' as 'The Gloaming's replacement and it was absolutely stonking. Myself and Dave had been talking about it before the band came on, how we'd both recently discovered a new love for it so when the fuzzy bass kicked in I practically wet myself. I spent a lot of the gig bobbing up and down trying to see over people's shoulders but for this song, and a couple of others that were SO BLOODY GOOD I just stuck my head down and danced my little butt off. Some runs of a few songs kept us dancing for a long time: 'Everything in it's right place', 'Idioteque' and 'Bodysnatchers' before they went off stage the first time is a prime example.
The final two tracks had everyone in a frenzy. I mean, finishing on 'Paranoid Android'? What are they trying to do, kill us?! On the Tuesday they'd finished with 'Idioteque' which I admit must have been bloody amazing but for me, with all the older songs making the evening as special as it was, this really was the better choice of a closer.
It is very tempting to just say that the whole night was amazing, and use far too many superlatives than is probably healthy. But there are a couple of things I can say about the evening that were a little off. First off, the atmosphere. I'm not going to have a massive rant about certain "fans" because, truth be told we were pretty lucky compared with some stories I've heard, and I've experienced much worse at gigs of this size. But really, I did have to wonder about people who talked all the way through the quieter songs - 'Nude' and 'House of Cards' especially. I also heard a few complaints of "Oh finally they're playing something we know" when OK Computer-era stuff came on. Again, I'd be going back to the Radiohead-elite thing again so I won't even go there. It just irks me somewhat that people will pay £50+ to go see a band and then either complain or shout all the way through the set. What's the point? And why whinge about them playing new material? You could have got the download for free if you really wanted to so not knowing songs from In Rainbows isn't really a good excuse for ruining them for everyone else.
Secondly, and this is such a minor thing it's barely worth mentioning, there were a couple of disappointments in the setlist. But compared to the overall haul of 25 songs we were treated to, I'll not begrudge them 'Go Slowly' this time. I wasn't impressed with them starting with 'Reckoner' either but it soon picked up and I kind of forgot about the lacklustre opener.
The whole night went by in a flash, and even now just a few days later it feels like forever ago. And now I feel like I'm injecting the occasion with far too much significance. But then I think about how some people might not even get to see Radiohead and I'm so happy that I've managed to see them twice now. Here's to a third time before I'm too old for this sort of malarky.
SETLIST: RADIOHEAD, VICTORIA PARK, 25TH JUNE 2008
01 Reckoner
02 15 Step
03 There There
04 All I Need
05 Lucky
06 Nude
07 Arpeggi
08 Myxomatosis
09 The National Anthem
10 Faust Arp
11 No Surprises
12 Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13 Optimistic
14 Videotape
15 Everything In Its Right Place
16 Idioteque
17 Bodysnatchers
Encore 1:
18 House of Cards
19 The Bends
20 Bangers ‘n Mash
21 My Iron Lung
22 Karma Police
Encore 2:
23 Go Slowly
24 2+2=5
25 Paranoid Android And now for some photos. I have to point out: THESE ARE NOT MY PHOTOS. I didn't take my camera because I was a bit scared of having it confiscated or stolen. A few friends hand cameras so I'm waiting on the rest.
The weather that day was gorgeous. The sun was starting to set when Thom, Ed, Jonny, Colin and Phil made it on stage at about 8.15pm. Thom seemed in quite an ebullient mood, although there was minimal banter between songs, but he did utter the phrase "Cool beans" at one point which made me giggle.
As for the set... wow. It was great to hear all the newer stuff that they've released since I saw them last but really it was the oldies that made the night for me. 'Lucky' came quite early on in the night but as soon as it started I had goosebumps. Later on with 'The Bends' and 'My Iron Lung' in the first encore we had a good old singalong. A nice mix of old and new throughout the set kept those of us that knew everything squealing with happiness at every flip between In Rainbows and The Bends.
'There There' has never been one of my favourite songs, despite having a brilliant video, but it was damn good live. Ed and Jonny on their drums contrasted in quite a hilarious, but typical, way. Ed, ever serious, still throughout, solidly pounding away. Whilst Jonny was literally bashing the crap out of his, hair hanging down, swinging violently from side to side, and generally giving his all. Not that Ed wasn't giving his all - he was just doing it in his own way. Thom yoyo'd perfectly between crazy ants-in-his-pants dancing and standing stock still, mesmerising the crowd. Phil I couldn't see of course, being the shortarse that I am, expect for on the screens at either side of the stage. He looked very dapper in a shirt and tie. Colin was his usual quiet but bouncy self, occasionally coming to the front of the stage to get the audience clapping along, but just as quickly disappearing off into the back and into his own little world of bass rhythms.
One of the biggest highlights has to be everyone (including the moaning minnies - more of which in a bit) singing along to 'Karma Police'. They even added another chorus on the end for us to sing. Truly breathtaking.
'Myxomatosis' was a nice surprise. I'd been studying the previous night's setlist intently and wondering why on earth they'd included certain tracks ('The Gloaming' was the one that stuck out for me) so I see 'Myxomatosis' as 'The Gloaming's replacement and it was absolutely stonking. Myself and Dave had been talking about it before the band came on, how we'd both recently discovered a new love for it so when the fuzzy bass kicked in I practically wet myself. I spent a lot of the gig bobbing up and down trying to see over people's shoulders but for this song, and a couple of others that were SO BLOODY GOOD I just stuck my head down and danced my little butt off. Some runs of a few songs kept us dancing for a long time: 'Everything in it's right place', 'Idioteque' and 'Bodysnatchers' before they went off stage the first time is a prime example.
The final two tracks had everyone in a frenzy. I mean, finishing on 'Paranoid Android'? What are they trying to do, kill us?! On the Tuesday they'd finished with 'Idioteque' which I admit must have been bloody amazing but for me, with all the older songs making the evening as special as it was, this really was the better choice of a closer.
It is very tempting to just say that the whole night was amazing, and use far too many superlatives than is probably healthy. But there are a couple of things I can say about the evening that were a little off. First off, the atmosphere. I'm not going to have a massive rant about certain "fans" because, truth be told we were pretty lucky compared with some stories I've heard, and I've experienced much worse at gigs of this size. But really, I did have to wonder about people who talked all the way through the quieter songs - 'Nude' and 'House of Cards' especially. I also heard a few complaints of "Oh finally they're playing something we know" when OK Computer-era stuff came on. Again, I'd be going back to the Radiohead-elite thing again so I won't even go there. It just irks me somewhat that people will pay £50+ to go see a band and then either complain or shout all the way through the set. What's the point? And why whinge about them playing new material? You could have got the download for free if you really wanted to so not knowing songs from In Rainbows isn't really a good excuse for ruining them for everyone else.
Secondly, and this is such a minor thing it's barely worth mentioning, there were a couple of disappointments in the setlist. But compared to the overall haul of 25 songs we were treated to, I'll not begrudge them 'Go Slowly' this time. I wasn't impressed with them starting with 'Reckoner' either but it soon picked up and I kind of forgot about the lacklustre opener.
The whole night went by in a flash, and even now just a few days later it feels like forever ago. And now I feel like I'm injecting the occasion with far too much significance. But then I think about how some people might not even get to see Radiohead and I'm so happy that I've managed to see them twice now. Here's to a third time before I'm too old for this sort of malarky.
SETLIST: RADIOHEAD, VICTORIA PARK, 25TH JUNE 2008
01 Reckoner
02 15 Step
03 There There
04 All I Need
05 Lucky
06 Nude
07 Arpeggi
08 Myxomatosis
09 The National Anthem
10 Faust Arp
11 No Surprises
12 Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13 Optimistic
14 Videotape
15 Everything In Its Right Place
16 Idioteque
17 Bodysnatchers
Encore 1:
18 House of Cards
19 The Bends
20 Bangers ‘n Mash
21 My Iron Lung
22 Karma Police
Encore 2:
23 Go Slowly
24 2+2=5
25 Paranoid Android And now for some photos. I have to point out: THESE ARE NOT MY PHOTOS. I didn't take my camera because I was a bit scared of having it confiscated or stolen. A few friends hand cameras so I'm waiting on the rest.
no subject
no subject
pics look amazing and it sounfs like a fab night glad you had a good time :)
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
No, these photos are some that I found on flickr. We weren't quite this close unfortunately because we got stuck in a queue at the bar and couldn't barge our way through. I know my mate Dave got some good photos though because he was a little in front of us :)
no subject
no subject
It is a great setlist (THEY DID LUCKY!!!) That's always what I'm afraid in concerts : just because they do a tour to promote their latest album doesn't mean they have to forget about their previous (great) songs. I'm glad Radiohead doesn't seem to do that.
thank you for saying that about the audience! I feel a little less alone in my endless rants about how disrespectful people tend to be in concerts. Some say the whole point of going to a concert is being loud, so that the band hears you. Well, I'm sorry, but during some songs, it just doesn't rock. (and I would have certainly ripped their heads off, if I had heard anything during Nude, which, as you know, I adore...)
Such lovely pictures! I notice they have the Free Tibet flag, which is not really a suprise haha. And thom's pants made me laugh a lot.
And then again, I'm way too chatty. this is what Radiohead does to me!! ;)
no subject
The setlist is amazing. Although I think I'd've enjoyed more myself if they had finished their set with 'Idioteque' but 'Paranoid Android' is awesome too.
And thanks for the pics. :D¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
no subject
I'll have more pics soon I hope :)
no subject
(Anonymous) 2008-06-29 10:24 am (UTC)(link)Anyway. I LOVED your review. I think it's quite perfect, actually. Really, I do. I like how you talked about a few songs, but not all (because that would have made the review a bit long), you talked about it in general, a bit of squeeing but also some serious (and good) points. I like the bit about people having "a good day out" as opposed to the elitist Radiohead obsessives (of which I am a proud card-carrying member. Except that I don't have a card, of course). It's true, I hate these people who don't show proper concert etiquette and I hate the ones yelling for 'Creep' - but you just have to put up with them though. Although of course I've never seen the band live so I would have no idea how annoying it really is. I can guess though.
Anyway. I also like the fact that you talked about having to jump to see the band members, because I can imagine myself having to do that (how tall are you by the way? I think I've asked this before but I can't remember). I feel like I was there as well, to be honest - high praise! :D And I love the pictures. Ed is handsome, isn't he? And LOL about Thom's pants. Reminds me of Jonny's pink pants that he wore once. And how sad is it that I can look at what they're doing and know what song they're playing? Like 'Arpeggi', because Jonny and Ed are facing each other as they play (and why is that? - seriously, I've been wanting to know for AGES). Seriously, these are great pictures, and a fantastic review - thumbs up! :D
no subject
I'm 5 feet 4 inches. Not tiny but fairly small, and you know how it goes. Us small people always end up right behind the giants. I was dodging from side to side a lot, looking through the gaps to see first Jonny, then Thom and then Ed if I really squinted. I'd have loved to be able to get down the front so I could see properly but on occasion at big gigs I've had panic attacks so I had to be careful!
'Arpeggi' was amazing with Ed and Jonny playing like that. Again, it was so funny to see the contrast between their playing stances. I don't know why they do it but it makes me happy ;)