Radioactive power

Radiohead/ Willy Mason
Hummingbird Centre
Toronto
June 7, 2006

Rating: 5/5

Radiohead has spoiled their Toronto fans for the foreseeable future.

The last time the British art-rock act played these parts, it was a massive show at SkyDome when the venue (now known as the Rogers Centre) was still called that in 2003.

So you can imagine what a thrill it was to see the Oxford quintet return to our city last night with an intimate gig at the Hummingbird Centre, the first of two back-to-back, sold-out shows.

Without question, this was one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer, if not the year - both Hummingbird gigs sold out in a matter of minutes - and Radiohead didn't disappoint.

Their sharp-sounding musicianship and talent for creating an exciting, interesting atmosphere combined with the wealth of new tunes made those in the crowd feel as if they were witnessing something truly special.

And if energetic new songs like the heavily percussive "15 Step" and the guitar-driven "Open Pick" and "Bodysnatchers" are any indication, this may be their best Radiohead album in years in terms of a return to more straight-ahead rock.

Opening with the slow-to-boil Amnesiac winner "You And Whose Army?" followed by the standout rocker "The National Anthem" from 2000's Kid A and another Amnesiac tune, "Morning Bell", the group didn't waste much time in getting to new tunes "15 Step" and "Open Pick", which were songs number four and five.

Meanwhile, both lead singer Thom Yorke and lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood were in particularly good form.

Yorke, with his deeply hypnotic, choir boy-like wail, was prone to viciously shaking his head and wiggling his tiny hips. He also showed off his command of several instruments, starting on upright piano before moving to electric and acoustic guitars, and later a small drum kit and tambourine.

Greenwood, whose brother Colin plays bass alongside him in Radiohead, was constantly bent over his guitar and even incorporated a bow (during "Pyramid Song") when not tackling synths or keys.

Playing on a stage decorated with hanging video screens split into pieces like a broken mirror above them and bathed in moody, dramatic lighting, the band - rounded out by guitarist Ed O'Brien and drummer Phil Selway - also never took themselves too seriously. Yorke even burst into laughter at one point while attempting the opening to the new song, "Nude".

Standouts included the OK Computer gems "Exit Music (For A Film)", which found various audience members shouting for silence while others attempted a clumsy clapalong, and the glorious "Airbag" and "Lucky", which both came over the course of two encores.

Also worth mentioning were "There There", which featured both Jonny Greenwood and O' Brien playing standup drum kits, and some spirited bass work from Colin Greenwood; the gorgeous "Street Spirit (Fade Out)", the sole tune from The Bends which prompted a huge reaction; the explosive "Myxomatosis" and "Idioteque"; the melancholy "How To Disappear Completely" and the stunning show-ender, "Everything In Its Right Place".

Although Radiohead will head back into the studio to record their new disc once they've finished touring, Yorke actually will be first out of the gate with his debut solo album, The Eraser, due in stores July 11.

Jane Stevenson

Toronto Sun
08.06.06