It was the Wednesday before the gig and I was really ill (tonsillitis I was told by those in the know), but by some kind of compensation for being ill I managed to get a ticket to see Radiohead play on the Sunday coming. Now I had a real incentive to get well - soon.
I got the tube up to Wembley Arena as I'm staying in student halls of residence at the moment in London, and managed to find the right entrance. After being tagged, searched and guided, I was in. First up were Teenage Fanclub, I've never really been a fan of the fanclub (pun intended) and this didn't really show me the error of my ways. They dished out their songs, people seemed to be clapping (maybe in sympathy) and that was the end of them. They just seemed to be to nice and not be, well like rock stars or anything like that. I think it must have been the Scottish 1/8th in me that thought it was alright, but that was about as far as it goes.
After Teenage Fanclub had left DJ Shadow turned on behind everyone, that is at the back of the Arena at the opposite end to the stage. As from my limited experience of seeing professional DJ's perform it just consisted of lots of sparkly lights spiralling around a bloke (or sometimes even two) with headphones on who, from where I was standing could have just of been trying to cook for lots of people - frantically turning about attending different parts of his equipment.
That said, DJ Shadow was quite good and better then a lot of other music of that type that I've heard. It also gave me a chance to get nearer the stage that Thom Yorke and his merry men would be stepping onto soon. I find it hard to describe DJ Shadows set, but I remember there being a pause of about 3 or 4 minutes in the middle where he didn't do anything (maybe he was taking a rest) but then it started up again. Even though DJ Shadow isn't quite to my tastes, I can see why many do like him (I suppose one of my reasons is that he is rumoured to be doing some work for the new Star Wars prequels) DJ Shadow and Radiohead are probably going to be working together on both their respective next albums, so I can't wait to hear what their various influences sound like.
Apparently Massive Attack were in the crowd this evening, as were Zoe Ball (god help us), Jarvis and Pulp bassist Steve, who I saw whilst waiting for Radiohead to turn up.
After DJ Shadow I planned the best route to get past the tall bloke in front of me (I suppose the person behind me was thinking the same). I managed to get quite close to the front, when Radiohead walked on to what I think is music from Meeting in the Aisles, a B-side on one of the Karma Police singles (I think.)
They started with the song they usually start with (from my limited experience) and that was Airbag. Admittedly a song I didn't really like when I first heard the album, but now it's alright, and a good way to start a gig. Then kicked in Karma Police, again another song I didn't like at first but now really love (a usual route for the best Radiohead songs). With an excellent light show it gave a visual tone to the theme of the music, with small pinhole lights from every direction really made you feel as if you were in heaven. Then followed The Bends and Exit Music, a careful mix of songs to first blow your mind and then reshape it into the Radiohead way of seeing things. Johnny starts with some in-between song jamming but little do we realise that this is the start of the song, we hear "I am the key to the lock in your house, that keeps your toys in the basement" in Thom's angelic/ghostly wailing and Climbing Up The Walls is around us. A beautiful song that builds up and up until the end when we are left with a swirling cloud of noise that leaves you feeling so Lucky to be there, which is the next song.
We hear more songs from OK computer such as the magnificent No Suprises, this is probably my favourite along with the other half dozen on that album! The spooky sounding xylophone reminds you of the infants, but it is a bed side story that will give you nightmares. Eventually we get to Creep, I didn't really want it to be played, but then found I was a bit of a hypocrite as I realise I do really like this song and what was I thinking of when I shoock my head at the start. Thom started off well, but couldn't keep a straight face through it and had to stop, but he managed to restart. Everyone sang along, "I don't belong here" seems a strange thing for the frontman of a successful band to say, but it makes you think.
They came on to their first encore to an absolutely electrocuting Electioneering that sounded so, so good. Wow, the guitar sound is so strong yet feels like it could crack in a strange kind of way. Also [Nice Dream], Lurgee (the second and final Pablo Honey song, that seemed to make remind me of my illness from earlier on in the week that I had managed to ignore/get better from), and Bones.
After another break, I smile at the crowds of people as they try to get back to their seats as they had thought it had finished. Let down is next and is as good as ever. Then, a song that makes you feel like you're an inch tall, and in my opinion kind of sums up Radiohead, Street Spirit. The lights silhouette Thom making him truly seem like an idol who we should worship. This song was one of the highlights of the evening, a brilliant song, so good. We are left with a mellow Tourist as if to join us on our way down to the ground, to give us a soft landing, "hey man, slow down".
When Radiohead finally leave the stage I knew it was one of the best gigs I had ever been to. I wish they could have played some more from Pablo Honey, but there is only a finite time, and there are so many excellent songs. It really was spectacular, but to get back to more mundane things, time to get some water.
-Will Vote Naive ezine
12.97