Radiohead/ Willy Mason
Empress Ballroom
Blackpool
May 12, 2006

The consistently fantastic thing about Radiohead is never knowing quite what to expect. Even so, this tour is set to fill fans with more anticipation than ever. The ‘Head are set to change the dynamics of touring by setting off around the UK without the usual shameless self-promotion that bands implement on tour (there is no planned release of new material until 2007). Luckily, the gamble pays off, and the results couldn’t be better.

The sprung floor of the Ballroom is tested from the start, Yorke et al storming into "The National Anthem" as a thousand shivers run down a thousand spines suddenly realising what it is they are about to witness. Tonight is not all about old favourites, busy as the band have been in the studio, and the first of the new material tonight comes in the form of the curiously monikered "Bangers and Mash"; it’s fast and furious, more akin to The Bends era Radiohead than anything else, with the added entertainment of Yorke’s first foray into drumming on a miniature kit perched at the front of the stage.

New tracks like "Bodysnatchers", "15 Step" (an "Idioteque"-style electronic mash-up which induces the first bout of Thom’s unparalleled dancing) and the pacey yet strangely compelling "Arpeggi" are slotted into an otherwise OK Computer heavy set. "Paranoid Android" sounds as exciting and relevant as it did ten years ago (it really has been that long), and "Nude" (previously known as "Big Ideas (Don’t Get Any)" has been given a massive revamp since it’s inception during the OK Computer sessions; the result is a soulful, captivating ballad that no other band could hope to replicate in their wildest fantasies.

The only curious criticism that could possibly be made of the night is that, even at a whopping 22 songs, the set just isn’t long enough; despite tracks having been aired from all albums except (predictably) Pablo Honey and (somewhat oddly) Amnesiac, Radiohead leave the crowd gasping for more: more of the atmosphere that only Jonny Greenwood’s sublime talent for any instrument he touches could create, more of Yorke’s amazing ability to gain the undivided attention of a crowd of thousands…

The only way to resolve this? Come back another night. It seems without the pressures associated with a recording contract, Radiohead are finally making music they want to make. There’s no sense of desperation to break the mould, as with Kid A and Amnesiac. Although these are undoubtedly fine albums it’s a relief to see the band not conforming to any pressures they may have previously put upon themselves.

Hannah Bayfield

RockFeedBack
27.05.06