Radiohead @ Victoria Park, London, 24 June, 2008 |
Gigs - 2008 Gigs |
Written by Administrator |
Radiohead, surely one of the world's most talented and innovative bands, played to a packed crowd at Victoria Park on the first night of the UK leg of its world tour. As lead singer Thom Yorke stared across the vast crowd in the outdoor setting under initially clear skies - which created a festival-like atmosphere on the night - he confessed that he had been “nervous” before the show but had been put at ease by the “great vibes” of the crowd. At danger of sounding like a tabloid celebrity columnist being 'amazed' at how 'human' a celebrity is, Thom Yorke is exactly that. As much can be told by the reflective and pained nature of the song lyrics. Thom Yorke is a man of few words, yet it was obvious to everyone that his band and he were charged up on the night and performed five songs in the first encore and three in the second. The eeriness of “You and Whose Army” was amplified by close-ups on Thom's face being projected to the big screen, “Idioteque” was infinitely more intense live than on record, and “Just” a perfect rock moment on a night of down-tempo tunes. The rendition of “Climbing Up The Walls” was a stand-out moment. Radiohead's concert was as entertaining as it was intriguing - and for those fans who had not sampled the new album “In Rainbows” yet, it was a perfect introduction to the album. In fact, the band played most of the new album's more melodically-focused tunes! However, overall many of Radiohead's older (and oldest) fans were slightly disappointed that they did not play more old material. But it has to be said that only a band with the talent of Radiohead could get away with playing through the whole of a new album and a few of their hits and still get away with it. |