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Post by HoodooOperator on May 2, 2006 21:13:11 GMT -5
When Monday night's benefit for grassroots environmental network Friends of the Earth was announced weeks ago, it sold out instantly, with tickets for the evening at London's Koko club soon being snapped up on eBay for outrageous prices. It was clear why: Although the stripped-down acoustic bill included sets from indie talents Kate Rusby and Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys, the evening was all about Radiohead.
Rusby's sterling set, including a beautiful cover of the Richard and Linda Thompson classic "Withered and Died," was all but ignored by the audience, as was Rhys's endearingly shambolic performance. But when Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood finally appeared onstage, the noise from the crowd was almost deafening. Seemingly embarrassed by the naked display of fan worship, the pair launched straight into "Karma Police." Perched at a curious angle on a small wooden chair, Yorke strummed the opening chords intently as Greenwood played the upright piano. Instantly recognizing the 1997 classic, the audience began to sing along. Radiohead were back.
As the song ended, one particularly enthusiastic fan cried out, "Thom Yorke for Prime Minister!" -- a suggestion met by whoops of approval from most of the crowd. David Cameron, self-confessed Radiohead fan and recently elected Leader of the Opposition, stood in the VIP enclosure smiling rather nervously as he sized up the competition.
Yorke followed with "There There," off 2003's Hail To The Thief, as Greenwood hovered at his side, electric guitar in hand. At the song's climax, Greenwood sprang into action, unleashing some ferocious string-slashing over Yorke's acoustic rhythm and reminding the audience why he's regularly described as one of the most exciting guitar players in the world.
The outburst subsided as abruptly as it began, however, and the pair slipped into the first new song of the evening, "Arpeggi." A delicately fingerpicked lament, the song sounded like a distant cousin of The Bends-era "Street Spirit" as Yorke sang softly, "Everybody leaves if they get the chance/And this is my chance." Hearing it for the first time, the song seemed to confirm what separates Radiohead from their peers by an interstellar mile: Where bands such as Coldplay whine blandly about the woes of the world, Radiohead's pains seem personal -- and all the more resonant. And unlike so many emo outfits now, Yorke's voice is full of compassion rather than some brand of adolescent self-absorption.
"Fake Plastic Trees" followed swiftly, providing a moment of light relief when Greenwood's ear-bending guitar became too much even for Yorke, who broke off laughing as he tried to sing "It wears me out" to what sounded like an angry goose clearing its throat.
"Bodysnatchers," the second new song of the evening, was driven by an insistent acoustic riff. Yorke's searingly intense vocals kept returning despairingly to the phrase "in the twenty-first century." If it was a comment on the state of the world, it was distinctly at odds with the positive message Yorke issued between songs as he talked about climate change, saying, "It's not too late."
The 2001 Amnesiac single "Pyramid Song" and "How to Disappear Completely," off 2000's Kid A, came next, both of which are peppered with suicidal imagery. But time and again, the commitment and emotion of the performances triumphed over bleak lyrics, turning agony into something closer to joy.
The last new song of the evening, "Cymbal Rush," provided a rare display of nerves: Yorke set up a Laurie Anderson-like vocal loop only to find, as he sat at the piano, that he'd set it too fast. Problem rectified, he started the tune again, revealing another lament which seemed to twist the intro chords of Neil Young's "After the Goldrush" (a song Yorke is fond of performing) into a distinctly twenty-first-century lullaby. Greenwood added some of his now trademark Star Trek Ondes Martenot to haunting effect.
The show was rounded off by a performance of their OK Computer single, "Paranoid Android," which lost none of its power for being reduced to a two-man rendition. "Why don't you remember my name?" Yorke sang, as if he were afraid of being forgotten. The stunning set was more than enough to jar our memories.
Radiohead set list:
Karma Police There There Arpeggi Fake Plastic Trees Bodysnatchers Pyramid Song How to Disappear Completely No Surprises Cymbal Rush I Might Be Wrong Street Spirit (Fade Out) Gagging Order Paranoid Android
mmm if that was the bonnaroo set with the additions of Planet Telex, 2+2 = 5, the national anthem, the bends, Dollars and Cents, myxamatosis, optimistic, Lucky, Electioneering and Airbag...
Post by frankthemute on May 2, 2006 23:34:48 GMT -5
I personally feel privileged to get to see these guys. I read this and immediately made the playlist (minus new songs) and started listening. This show I truly believe will go down as one of the most amazing shows ever at Bonnaroo and one that moves a LOT of people. My friend got tickets to the Tool show in Chicago in a few weeks and I have been telling him everyday I hate him and then I follow that up with.....I get to see Radiohead, Beck, Buddy Guy, Refugee All-stars, Oysterhead, and too many more. I really think seeing Tool for the first time will change the way I see a lot of things but I wouldn't trade it for Bonnaroo.
Post by hootymcboob on May 2, 2006 23:53:07 GMT -5
frankthemute said:
I really think seeing Tool for the first time will change the way I see a lot of things but I wouldn't trade it for Bonnaroo.
That's a bold statement man.
I expect the Tool show I will see in Mineapolis next week, and radiohead at Bonnaroo to be the two best shows I have and probably will ever see, but if I had the choice between bonnaroo and tool and I knew I could only ever do one, I'd probably still take Tool.
P.s.
I also had a ticket to the Chicago show but couldn't make it and I just sold my ticket. Had this post existed a few days ago I could have sold it to you (would have been good to sell it to someone who also appreciates Tool and Bonnaroo). Now that I probably ruined your day I'll shut up.
Post by frankthemute on May 3, 2006 2:02:44 GMT -5
Man I live in a small town and the power of Tool could be seen this morning. All the lazy "heads" like myself was up before 10 am for the first time in who knows how long. One girl came in and said her boyfriend wanted to sleep and sent her and said, "he sent me here for a stupid cd." Well needless to say the crowd turned on her lol. But what I was saying is they will be doing a fall tour and me and my buddy who is also goin to roo with me have already planned to travel to a lot of their shows over a few weeks. So I'll be gettin my Tool. Yea, I think Im still going to Chicago to protest those motherfuckin scum scalpers who will be sent to hell by Tool cause Maynard has connesctions.
Have a great time at the show and post on here sometime how it was.
How awesome is it that in 12 months I will have seen Pearl Jam and NIN three times each, Radiohead, Glen Phillips, Ben Folds and Sonic Youth... and more. In 12 months! What year is it, 1992?
Tool will be a life changing event for anyone who sees them this year or EVER...but so will radiohead, I have never been able to decide what artist was more fullfilling to watch, I have not been the same since either of their shows...don't worry I keep hearing Tool will tour more this year
I saw both of them, for the first time, on the same day, one after another, in Holland. Sorry, I just have to keep rubbing that in. It was life changing, 2 fold.
... but who wouldnt be?
But i love ya!! BONNAROOOOOO!