Packed Like Sardines In The Hollywood Bowl
Radiohead
Having just seen my favorite band play the intimate Santa Barbara Bowl (a venue that seemed to have been created for them) on June 29th, I was really afraid that Radiohead’s Hollywood Bowl show would be a letdown. Especially after weaseling my way into the pit and being front and center for the Santa Barbara show, but this show still sent me into a trancelike music orgasm frenzy that lasted over 2 hours (they played that long, although it didn't seem like it). The set list was better at the Santa Barbara Bowl and the sound was a jillion times better and it wasn't filled with industry assholes and full-of-themselves celebs, but they STILL blew everyone away in Los Angeles.
First off, the venue is enormous, you seriously needed binoculars - it's a good thing for the cams and huge screens. Second of all, considering they have classical music, jazz and rock concerts there and it’s a legendary venue, you would think they could learn how to mix the band correctly. Jonny's guitar was too loud, you could barely hear Ed's at times, etc, etc. The sound wasn’t horrible, but it was most definitely lacking. And this is a band that deserves the best sound. For all the money that goes into that place, you would think they could get it right. Thom was not nearly as playful as he was at Santa Barbara Bowl - then he was downright giddy and hyper. This time he was more subdued, but you had to love when he played with and seduced the camera that was in his face, making eyes at it... turning the camera so it was on the crowd and gesturing provocatively. It was rather charming and the crowd loved it.
I also was fond of the Jonny Cam, AKA the Flying Flopping Hair Cam or the Scalp Cam or the Jonny's Pursed Model-like Lips Cam. The Colin Cam always showed everyone's favorite bass player with the Adams Family eyes, either with a huge grin on his face or bouncing up and down like an eager 10-year-old between songs, apparently unable to wait until the next one began. Colin rules. Ed seemed to get a lot of leg and arm shots for some reason and Phil got pretty much no cam love at all. Such a shame, since his drumming is worth watching AND the fact that he was kind enough to smile and wave back at us at the Santa Barbara Bowl from behind his drumkit. We only got intense and intimidating looks from Thom & Jonny, but Phil actually smiled! It may sound ridiculous, but it really makes the experience extra special when a more personal connection is made like that, as simple as it is.
Forcing myself to look on the bright side, these are the good things about not being in the pit: 1) I had room to dance like an idiot. 2) You could bring your own food and picnic if you wanted. 3) I learned the joy of closing my eyes and experiencing Radiohead live in a completely different way. Eyes closed and dancing, I was taken to a different place. I was completely sober, but felt very high in a very intense and uplifting way. It was disappointing when the song ended and I had to open my eyes again and come back to reality. Sounds cheesy maybe, but that's because you weren't there. ;-)
They played 3 encores, the last being just Thom playing "True Love Waits" on just acoustic guitar. A Radiohead romantic tearjerker that isn’t dark and twisted? Hard to believe, yes, but the song seems downright SWEET! He said they'd been "kicking it around since OK Computer." Totally different from the other fare, but lovely. I wish they had played "Talk Show Host" (the sexiest song ever written despite Thom’s claim that ‘Nobody Does It Better’ is) again, but to be quite honest it was just exciting to be there and experience the best band in existence today.
Somehow, I managed to score wristbands to the Radiohead after-party. The band showed at the one at Santa Barbara, and this time I was determined to speak to them, being that hey are the only band that I truly, truly want to meet. The only problem was thinking of something they haven't heard a gajillion times. No small task. So I set about taking advantage of the free drinks to prepare myself for their arrival when I realized how many obnoxious celebs were there, well not all obnoxious, but Carmen Elektra tipped the scale. There was Andy Dick, Molly Shannon with Heather Graham, Dave Navarro, Giovanni Ribisi and a bunch of others. It was then that I realized for sure that Radiohead would NOT be showing up and I can't say I blame them. Shy Jonny getting cornered and mauled by Carmen Elektra and her silicone missiles? Not bloody likely.
So maybe next time I will be able to finally meet my humble heroes, since they say the third time is a charm. A friend of mine spoke with Thom for a good 20 minutes that evening and said he was incredibly cordial and even gave her career advice! So it’s encouraging to know that these successful musicians who amazingly have the power to maintain complete control and artistic integrity over their craft, are approachable and downright amiable. Maybe next time, I will be able to pick their brains. Unfortunately, earlier in the concert Thom said it was their last show in America for a long time. This statement conjured up a thunderous symphony of boo’s that echoed throughout the Hollywood Hills.
The uproar made Thom and company beam.
Adrienne Lake