Radiohead/ Four Tet
Olympia Theatre
Dublin
May 17, 2003

Not only was this the first Radiohead live show of 2003, but it is the first time they've played in Dublin city since a thrilling but very wet Midsummer's night in 1997. But while that show was in the great outdoors to 28,000 (at the time the biggest show of their career) this 'fan club' show is for the benefit of 1,800 lucky, lucky buggers.

Unsurprisingly, the scramble for tickets is like Celtic versus Porto and the All-Ireland final rolled into one. Fans have travelled from as far afield as the US and Japan for this uber-special gig. A crowd gathered outside the Dame Street theatre a full twelve hours before the doors opened. The buzz is palpable, as every single person who files in seems to be chuffed with the fact that they're here. South London electronica genius Kieran Hepden aka Four Tet goes on at 7.30pm sharp to open an evening of astounding music. His set is essayed around his wonderful new album Rounds on Domino, and we're getting even more excited.

At approximately 8.55pm the lights go down and the Olympia wets itself, letting forth an orgasmic scream. Enter Thom, Ed, Colin, Johnny and Phil and its happy bedlam a go go. The Oxford lads look very fresh and healthy and its smiles all round, especially from Colin Greenwood who spends most of evening bounding around the stage and looking ecstatic. Hot Press Single of the Fortnight "There, There" leads the charge, featuring three out of five of the 'Head on percussion. Ed O'Brien and Johnny Greenwood pound a pair of snare drums, adding to the track's groove and Phil Selway's perfect punctuation of the song. Half way through, Johnny puts down the sticks and does what he does best - dazzling us with a six-string. I mistakenly omitted Johnny from the ranks of best UK guitarists recently, so humble apologies to the boy Greenwood, and I hope big bro Col doesn't want to beat me up!

The opening track on Hail to the Thief '2+2=5' follows, which explodes into a soaring noisy classic towards the end with brilliant Lydonesque snarling from Thom. Possibly their most Sex Pistols moment yet. Three songs in we get a double whammy from OK Computer; 'Airbag' and 'Lucky'. While the performance is amazing, a few sound gremlins creep in. Johnny's guitar packs in on 'Airbag', and overall the sound quality is not as good as this band or venue can achieve. But that becomes a minor matter when you're being treated to a rare performance of 'Just', but Doh! Thom has broken a string! Ah well, even the 'Head are human.

Of all the new material, the highlight is 'Myxomatosis' which precedes 'Just'. It's a stunning blend of old and new Radiohead, one which will simultaneously delight the electro-fried Kid A devotees and the older, more sonically conservative fanbase. Amidst a bumper dose of six encores we get 'Pyramid Song', 'Paranoid Android', 'Karma Police' and a very moving 'How to Disappear Completely'. The line 'I float down the Liffey' is greeted like Robbie Keane scoring against Germany.

In short, another classic Radiohead gig if not quite them at their very best. However, it was the first of the season so first night nerves and lots of new material would always make this a trickier proposition. If you scored tickets, I'm sure you are still reeling. If not, snap up ones for the Point before its too late as they're bound to be on fire by then. All hail to the kings!

Eamon Sweeney

HotPress
18.05.03