It was the show that almost didn't happen.
The full-to-bursting Coliseum (having sold out in 20 minutes flat) was filled with thousands of enthusiastic fans all eager to get closer to their heroes of Radiohead.
When the cause celebre took the stage, thousands of floor-level youth surged forward to get closer to the group's enigmatic frontman, Thom Yorke.
Barely a minute into the show's opening number, "Airbag", Yorke stormed away from the microphone and began waving his arms wildly, yelling towards guitarist Ed O'Brian.
The band stopped the music in mid-chorus and waited, confused, until the guitarist spoke Yorke's wishes to the crowd.
"There are a lot of people getting squashed," he said, obviously exasperated "...so if you want us to fucking go off we will. Please don't. We really, really want to play to you."
Surprisingly, the audience listened and obliged.
Yorke put back on his guitar and started the whole show over from chord one. The five-piece plowed through a second version of "Airbag" while the frontman kept one eye most specifically on the crowd.
Guitar legend Jonny Greenwood was set up stage right as usual, surrounded by effects pedals and endless amounts of gear; the one difference in the traditional Radiohead setup was a Rhodes piano and small keyboard just next to the drum kit; one which Jonny took his place behind during the group's second number, "Karma Police" and later traded off with other band members throughout the night.
"'Karma"'s performance was well-recieved but the show's opening glitch stuck with the group right through until their third number, "The Bends"; Yorke spoke no words but sang volumes as his emotional alto rang through the cement venue.
The Coliseum's normally flattened sound was nearly flawless, a testament to a group who quite obviously spent time and money choosing equipment capable of capturing their every nuance.
With desperate vocals pouring out of Yorke's tiny, twitching body, "The Bends" was a highlight not only for the fans but also the band who seemed finally completely present during the song's performance.
Similar feelings echoed in the delivery of "Just" and "Iron Lung" where the band surged full force until Yorke stood on the lip of the stage, leaning forward to give a crowd surfer a closer look at his middle finger.
Contrary to all other shows on the West Coast leg of this tour, Radiohead performed few new numbers; a short, moody instrumental piece ("Meeting In the Aisle") accompanied the band as they walked onstage.
It was a full 11 songs into the set until Yorke - who had barely spoken a word all night - finally mumbled "I play this song in C major" and subsequently did exactly that, playing a rather upbeat, nameless number, holding onto a single chord while the band offered up complex performances around him.
Radiohead's spine-tingling performance of "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" proved to be another highlight, showcasing Yorke's electric alto which hung in the air for what seemed an eternity.
The group recieved a five-minute thunderous ovation, eventually returning for a passionate encore of the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack number, "Talk Show Host", and quite possibly the best, most emotional performance of "Fake Plastic Trees" that the adoring Vancouver audience has ever seen. The night ended with a scant few final words from Yorke. "Thank you very much for coming to see us. Safe journey home."
Like most geniuses, he may not be an easy man to get along with, but Thom Yorke is a gentle man, a thoughtful man and a brilliant musician, indeed.
-Denise Sheppard Jam! Music
07.04.98