Radiohead
Main Stage, V Festival
Stafford
August 20, 2006

Starting with the blistering "Airbag," Radiohead played a great set to end the festival. Splicing new songs into a set top heavy with songs from The Bends and OK Computer, the band steamrollered their way through 21 songs with very few breaks, brought on by a late start and a performance curfew. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the show, one fan near me said “the density of people is like five times that of Morrissey,” and I knew what he meant. It seemed everyone was trying to see Radiohead. They sang along to anthems like "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Karma Police," and stood and stared through songs like "Pyramid Song" and the fantastic new "Videotape." Thom Yorke’s voice was particularly awesome during "Pyramid Song." The crowd went nuts when they played "Just." No other band I saw throughout the weekend got as much adulation as Radiohead. Closing the set with their first hit, "Creep," the band sent the revellers back to their tents, singing about being weirdos and not belonging.

So, a weekend filled with nice surprises (Faithless, Regina Spektor), and not so nice surprises (Morrissey, Magic Numbers, cash machines) ended with something that has remained true for years now. Radiohead are still the best rock act in the world.

Grant Cameron

Junkmedia
01.09.06