Radiohead/
Kid Koala/ Beta Band
Molson
Park
Toronto
August
3, 2001
All hyperbole aside, making the trek to Molson Park to see Radiohead seemed very much like a pilgrimage. The long weekend began with gorgeous weather as thousands were flocking out of the city, many of them to see the aforementioned band. Lacking any real journalistic utensils, I made the trip with a handful of recipe cards and a pen, determined to capture the essence of the experience in true "No Logo" fashion. Upon deliberation with M&M (who was also enjoying the day’s festivities dressed in a lovely Wal-Mart vest) I decided to create a recipe for what was to be a sublime day of music and entertainment:
Makes
three-course meal.
Take
one hot, sunny day at Molson Park
Add
25,000 devoted fans (hippies, goths, purpose nerds, brit-pop fanatics,
punks, SUV driving yuppies)
Mix
well with a dozen beers from Molson VIP Tent
Let
simmer in the sun for two hours
Take
one very talented prog-rock band, preferably The Beta Band, filled with
cheeky Scotsmen
Add
early anticipation of the evening’s events
Drop
in the unexpected forklift incident backstage for laughter amongst band
members and dissatisfaction among the stage crew
Keep
set short and add plenty of sweets
Stir
with singing and dancing fans
Quickly
throw in Kid Koala meat for texture
Gut
with brilliant sample of theme music to Monty Python’s Holy Grail film
Scratch
vinyl vigorously, creating appreciation in the audience
Toss
in the beatz thoroughly and await applause
Mix
for 17-minutes and then say a word of "thanks"
Throw
in oven for 30-minutes and then add Radiohead
Begin
with the strains of "National Anthem" and await audience hysteria
Commence
sublime sunset overhead as set begins
Include
pessimism, optimism, Kid A, OK Computer, Bends and
Amnesiac
in more than ample proportions
Induce
delirium with ethereal light show and incomparable electronica
Take
"Everything In Its Right Place" and progress the rhythm into a funky house
beat, stunning the audience
Place
stationary cameras around the stage and project the jagged and gray forms
on giant bookend screens
Take
Thom Yorke’s sloganeering concerning the global economy and environment
with a grain of salt
Let
ingredients settle then add three stunning encores
Capture
lightening fuel and the energy of the masses, and fill the cool summer
air with it
Although the souvenir stand cast a hypocritical glow upon the stage, I don’t love Radiohead for their politics. Musically they’re one of the finest bands performing today and their energy was infectious. Aside from being the voice to an over-marketed and cynical generation, Radiohead’s music seemed to inspire the audience; ideas and opinions were fervent all around the park before and after the show. Thom Yorke’s last words of encore number two resonated well after the show ended: "Where do we go from here?"
Andrew Cohen
ChartAttack
07.08.01