Healing takes time, they say. When news of Hail to the Thief's imminent release first surfaced critics eagerly whispered about a return to the band's roots; the album that should have followed The Bends was perhaps just around the corner. For Radiohead, the problem tonight is not just that their audience no longer know what to expect, Radiohead themselves no longer know who or what they are.

Unwilling to acknowledge his band's own technical prowess, Thom Yorke remains an eyesore throughout. Whilst his colleagues meander across the stage handling all manner of electronic and acoustic instruments, one moment Thom is a contorted amalgamation of Michael Stipe and Ian Curtis, but by the next song he is leading bizarre clap and response routines. That this performance is unwarranted is demonstrated by the fact that the band's best moment arrive when Thom is at his most static. A breathtaking 'Pyramid Song' condemns Chris Martin to a lifetime of seclusion in OK Magazine whilst 'Spinning Plates' is transformed from album-filler into an absorbing set closer. These frustratingly scattered moments demonstrate that Radiohead remain capable of inducing more than mere admiration.

Elsewhere the band offer a series of songs from the new album that in the case of '2+2' threaten to become anthems yet, with the notable exception of an intriguing song about a wolf, fail to create an impression beyond those who have downloaded their way to the new album. Indeed once one out-manoeuvres those who know every word, it is only the appearance of material from the mid 1990s that creates a palpable thrill amongst tonight's audience. 'My Iron Lung' is greeted with an expected, yet deserved, surge forward and six years later 'No Surprises' and 'Paranoid Android' both retain their former glory. Glorious they may be, but these renditions nevertheless remain hampered by an inexplicably quiet sound system. Even 'Talk Show Host' fails to be as intense as one might expect. The late inclusion of 'Karma Police' consequently seems more calculated than startlingly.

With respect once can of course argue that few bands have Radiohead's back catalogue to draw upon. They remain pioneers without any obvious musical peers. Most support acts would have positively embarrassed themselves had they been asked to appear before tonight's headliners. Nevertheless tonight remained an unsatisfying occasion. For two hours a band capable of almost anything did their best to entertain. By the late 1960s, The Beatles had stopped touring, one wonders whether there would be any great loss to the live arena if by next year Radiohead decide to do the same.

Neil Krajewski

Eclectic Honey
06.03