Radiohead/Spiritualized
Maple Leaf Gardens
Toronto
April 12, 1998
Radiohead's concert last night at Maple Leaf Gardens was the band's third appearance on a Toronto stage in less than 10 months. With other groups that could border on overkill.
Not Radiohead. The group's popularity has exploded since the release last June of the hauntingly beautiful O.K. Computer, an album (their third) that earned the Oxford quintet worldwide recognition, a Grammy nod for best album, millions of new fans and a cadre of celebrity worshippers.
Radiohead's challenge was to deliver a repeat performance that would satisfy new admirers and returning fans, and keep it interesting for themselves. They managed this last night, subtly refashioning several songs with added notes and new sonic textures while delivering an intense, passionate performance justifying all the hype.
There were also surprises.
Jonny Greenwood's organ work gave ``Karma Police'' a lounge feel; concert opener ``Airbag'' found singer Thom Yorke behind a guitar instead of a microphone stand; and a new song found its way into the encore.
On previous visits Yorke, a compact man dressed in baggy attire, has limited his strumming. Not for lack of ability. He alternated between electric and acoustic guitars for most of the 90-minute show, which featured a stunning laser-light extravanganza but little in the way of rock 'n' roll theatrics and artifice - keeping moshing to a minimum. (The rapturous, sell-out crowd of 16,000 looked like it was watching a recital rather than a rock show.)
That's because Radiohead's live shows are driven by artful understatement and restrained aggression, except when Yorke forgets a lyric and punches his microphone in disgust.
The other challenge for Radiohead was the setting.
The Gardens is not known for its acoustic merits. But last night the sound mixing was clear enough to highlight the musical precision underscoring Radiohead's richly textured sound and unorthodox melodies.
Gratefully the sound mix also captured Yorke's trademark anguished and emotive vocals. Yorke sounds like he's channeling the fury of a victim of a schoolyard bully.
Concertgoers who arrived early were also treated to another highly regarded British band, Spiritualized.
While not showmen - the sextet barely moved - they created a half-hour of cinematic, at times unwordly, psychedelic musical magic with powerful crescendos.
-Betsy Powell Toronto Star
13.04.98