Radiohead/ The Beta Band
Thunderbird Stadium
Vancouver
June 24, 2001

Thunderbird Stadium. Power-name, isn't it? This is where our Radiohead pilgrimage takes us, across the rocky mountains, 1000 kilometres away from home. Lush green grass underfoot (so it *is* greener on the other side...), trees guarding the stadium, plus dampness in the air as the ocean wasn't too far off... now that I was down with nature, the idea that'd I'd be seeing Radiohead for the first time brings one to a certain nirvana. Then turning around to see the small strip of food stands and the drink vendors only selling Coke in big Coke cups, I wince a bit. Oh to have seen them under the big top. ("Okay, if we get separated, we'll meet by the mini-donut stand") My bruv on the other hand shakes his head at the hippie quotient of the crowd. We *both* scrunch-up our faces about the Beta Band opening this evening.

The area in front of the stage was sanctioned for the people who had "Head Zone" printed on their tix. That was ultimately lame as the area wasn't full to the brim (packt like sardines?) at any one point of the night, creating a vaccum between the crowd. 'Course, two girls in front of me realized their tickets had that godly distinction on 'em and I yell at them excitedly "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO ON!" (I wasn't harsh, honest). Ooooh that's gives me a step closer to the barrier of the Prole Zone. We were a bit miffed after the Beta Band's set since they weren't all that bad but reaffirm that they should piss off when they ask us people further back if we were the underprivaledged ones. Argh. But enough about the appetizers, the main course tonight, Radiohead a la Vancouver (good with a vintage red wine and sardines) made the crowd salivate with the hearty bass lines of "The National Anthem".

Okay, so this is our first date and I'm paying for the meal (and a W.A.S.T.E. shirtdress), what d'you have to say Thom?

"*mumble mumble* in between banter *mumble mumble*" That was his adlib before "Morning Bell". Hehe, right. You just better put out before the night's end. There was a huge light display of what looked liked artfully arranged flourescent lights. It was still too bright out for them to have much of an effect. "It's okay. It'll be dark soon, it'll be fine," Thom waved to the crowd. Whew. Possibly my favorite song of the night was "Sardines", or, SARDEENS!! the guy beside me and I shouted to each other like a corny ad when we realized "what it was". "You and Whose Army?" had that the hypnotic effect with the epic piano that cannot fail to please. Again, "it's okay, it'll be dark soon." Aww! Yorke so endearingly tries to soothe the audience much to our amusement... and so begins the disturbing lullaby of "No Surprises". Haha! Clouds hung overhead and I figure the whole stadium would think it apt for it to "rain down" during "Paranoid Android". Some shaking with a bit more (but not much) motor coordination than Thom's *hands on fire* dance ensues for "Idioteque". I mastered the Art of Losing It though when Thom starts singing something very familiar: "aaaand if you tolerate this..." (me: "OHMIGOD! OHMIGOD!") Thom and I: "...then your children will be next." "Everything in its Right Place" starts and I figure Radiohead have put out after that one.

Appy polly loggies for the exceeding focus on Thom (er, whatever). He was all I could see apart from Ed. I got a few fleeting glimpses of Jonny and one prized view of Colin doing his chicken-neck move. Could hardly see a damned thing really so seeing Phil was out of the question. I was told that a girl was wheeled out the Head Zone on a stretcher right past us and I didn't notice. Sorry but I was looking at what I could see of RADIOHEAD! Gah!

The sun was setting behind the stage, so from their shining beacon, it looked as though they had a divine right to be there. 'Course if you play "Talk Show Host", you would too naturally. Big singalong to "Karma Police". Ed had an expression of "whooh! cool!" on his face and the second encore ends. The guy beside me said he heard they played "Motion Picture Soundtrack" the night before, so we hoped our setlists were not yet complete. The little organ was brought out and we let out girly screams in a most un-self consious manner. But the stadium lights went up and the "show's over, get out" music went on instead. Word was that the show had to end at a certain time due to noise bylaws for the surrounding residents. So, the stadium crew pulled the plug. Cue tragic wails. Mini-donut stand it is. The stadium herds out with a few moo-ing noises up the cowded staircases, now pitch dark. It's going to be alright. My first date with Radiohead went well then aside from the awkward silence afterwards. They said they'd call sometime. Oh wait, Amnesiac. Dammit.

Kim Picard

Brain Farm