Radiohead unveil new upbeat direction... not really!

The return of the heavy, heavy sound sees Thom Yorke doing his best David Gray impression, shaking his head from side to side trying to dispel whatever demons lurk within.

Maybe it's the unbearable weight of expectation hanging heavy around his skinny shoulders and surrounding the return of Radiohead. Oxfordshire's finest are here to unveil new tracks from their forthcoming album Kid A and the early signs are not good. Opener 'National Anthem' is a claustrophobic, overbearing noodle fest while 'Morning Bell' sees Yorke yelping, "Release me! Release me!" as if to escape the gnawing angst eating away at his insides. For God's sake boys lighten up!

Not good. Those expecting to see some emotion, some soul even will have to cling on to OK Computer's 'Karma Police', 'Exit Music' and 'No Surprises' for dear life because Kid A is going to be a very cold affair. One can only take so much pain and it has to be said that tonight is, at times, a very painful experience. 'Permanent Daylight', for example, sees Yorke blinking at the lights like a frightened deer caught in the path of a thundering juggernaut. 'Optimistic' is yet another wall of noise, a veritable mountain to climb with little in the way of footholds upon which to reach out and touch something real. More like 'touch me, I'm sick.' Good grief.

The weird thing is though this is absorbing stuff, it sucks you in and spits you out like some mad emotional vacuum cleaner. Radiohead like you but don't like you, thanks for being here but we'd rather you leave now. Sorry are we making you nervous? Then why don't you give us something to hold onto? Why can't Kid A contain more tub-thumping anthems along the lines of 'You & Whose Army' or even 'Iron Lung'?

This is a frustrating experience because Radiohead have the power to deliver some genuine spine chilling moments. God how many times do we have to ask for some feeling? When we do get it, say during 'Everything In It's Right Place', 'Street Spirit' and the closing church organ led 'Motion Picture' the effect is akin to being bowled over like so many skittles in a bowling alley.

Sadly though, on this showing at least, Radiohead (still) have a lot to learn about meeting their audience halfway and bringing them into their seemingly broken homes. Shine a little light next time boys and maybe we'll see what pains you so much.

Setlist:
National Anthem
Bones
Morning Bell
Talk Show Host
Permanent Daylight
Karma Police
Optimistic
Lucky
Exit Music
Paranoid Android
My Iron Lung
You & Whose Army
Dollars & Cents
Climbing Up The Walls
No Surprises
Idioteque
Airbag
Everything In Its Right Place

First Encore:
I Might Be Wrong
Street Spirit
The Bends
How To Disappear

Second Encore:
Motion Picture

Eyewitness report: Although Radiohead try to remain aloof from their audience, it's nice to see Thom Yorke actually sharing a joke with us from time to time. During the final song, 'Motion Picture', Thom's antiquated organ only wheezes into life after he's given it a damn good slap. "Shit! It's fucked!" he laughs, "I knew this was going to happen!" Yes Thom Yorke laughing, amazing isn't it? One wishes he would do it more often though...

Rating: 6/10

-Anthony Gibbons

Music365
02.09.00