Review by Hong: Tonight was my fourth Radiohead concert, the third having been last night at Earls Court. The contrast between the two concerts was stark. It was partly my own fault. Last night we decided to pass up the opportunity of hearing the Asian Dub Foundation, in favour of a Thai restaurant just off the Earls Court Road. I mistimed when Radiohead would start so missed the first song. The accoustics were dreadful and we were too far away from the stage. The setlist was still good and the concert was fine, but it was too far away to feel the beat properly. Highlights were Ideoteque, Street Spirit, Stand Up Sit Down and Karma Police.

Tonight we listened to the very exciting ADF, our seats were just stage left and the accoustics were much better, if not perfect. The setlist was fantastic. When they were playing Creep, all I could think of was that I could die happy. It was the best live song I have ever heard. Watching Jonny revving himself up for THE crunch was marvellous. The Bends was great, too, as well as Ideoteque. I am not sure what they have done to There There, but it did not sound quite right on either night.

I have developed a curious fascination for Colin. Tonight I was watching what he was doing. Most of the time he was strolling around with a base guitar around his neck, sometimes making miniscule strumming motions, sometimes with his hands elsewhere. I saw him singing at the top of his voice during one song, sans guitar, but nowhere near a microphone!! His job during one song was to hit two sticks together. On They Suck Young Blood he had to encourage the audience to clap. Am I the first to notice that he does not seem to do very much? Does he get the same wages as the others at the end of the week? Does it have anything to do with the fact that his brother is also in the band and his brother is one of the best guitarists in the world, so they don't want to upset him? Just an observation, he might do lots of writing and producing, for all I know.

My last Radiohead concert of the year will be in Aberdeen on Monday and I can go, confident that I do not need to worry about whether each song will be Creep, because I have heard it now. It was the best. They are indeed, the best band in the world, including Colin.

Hong

Review by Adam: So finally! Just got back from Radiohead at Earls Court, I know what your thinking, "mustve been crap in a venue that size", well yeah I felt sorry for the people at the back who looked miles away but I myself got there a little early and was in 2nd row in between where Thom and Johnny were. Was an amazing show! As I said Ive waited to see them for about 8 years, the setlist was really good, great mix of songs from all albums (including Creep!!!). So yeah I was emotional! I even got a smile from Johnny when it was quiet between a song and the guy next to me yelled out his name and he looked up and I waved and he smiled at me and waved back :>
It was weird watching Thom sing songs Ive been listening to for so long, it was almost like I was used to it because Ive seen so many videos and concerts of them on tv. I really was impressed by the whole thing, setlist, Thom was in a great mood and was dancing so much and the crowd were good too. So 8 years and £45 later Im finally happy :>

Review by Simon: Well, where to begin after that? I have been priviledged enough to see Radiohead at two of their defining moments-Glastonbury 1997 and Glastonbury 2003 as well as in a tent in Hackney, and STILL I am shocked at quite how good they were last night.

A huge round of applause to Asian Dub Foundation first of all, for playing an absolute blinder to a relatively small crowd - truly one of the most underrated acts in Britain.

The positioning of the drums at the front of the stage hints that we're getting "There There" as a an opener, and at 20:30, half an hour before I'm expecting anything to happen, the lights suddenly go out and Ed and Jonny begin their furious tubthumping. the lead guitar break in "There There" causes the crowd to go from 0-mosh in a split second, and this doesn't abate until "Where I End And You Begin" brings a slightly less frenzied attitude to the masses. It is only the beginning of "Lucky" which finally enables my scattered group of friends to re-assemble 15 feet from the stage, in time to link arms and howl "Pull me out of the aircrash..." at the stage, in the sort of irony-free emotional overload episode only a great gig can induce. The next real highlight is "I Might be Wrong " which is a stunning low-down delta-blues vibe, which switches nicely to the deranged bass-fuzz of "Myxamatosis".Thom shows how far he has come here-twitching, snarling, really performing. Then just as you thought it was safe to go back in the water- holy f*+king shit it's "Creep!!" Jonny really goes to town with the chainsaw guitar, and deliver s aversion even better than the Glasto 97 version I have come to know and love.Paranoid Android crowns the moment, then "Go To Sleep" brings some pop-fun back to the occasion, before the beautiful, grab your girlfriend moment of "Sail To The Moon" is followed by absolutely the best "No Surprises" I have heard- "Bring down the government, they don't, they don't speak for us" results in very loud cheers of agreement! "The Gloaming" has come a long way since June, and an even longer way since it was recorded - this is evident all over the setlist, that the band have been evolving the performance of each of these songs throughout the tour.

"Just" kicks the usual ammount of arse, and a beautiful "Exit Music" is followed by typically mercilessly blistering idioteque to finish off round one. "Like Spinning Plates" is gorgeous and lost, "The National Anthem" and "Punch-Up At A Wedding" are totally upstaged by a beautiful "How To Disappear Completely" After the carnival handclapping of "We Suck Young Blood" (Thanks Ed, we couldn't have kept time without you!!) One big surprise (The bends-introduced by Thom as "an old one we've been enjoying lately") is followed by a clearly unplanned "Follow Me Around"-here the other members of the band, (who are clearly expecting to launch into "Everything..." and are unsure of what's going on) just melt into the background as Thom performs solo. "Everything In It's Right Place" is just as wondrous as it was at Glastonbury, a brilliant,moving closing number, I embrace all 3 of my friends that have managed to stick with me down the front (we are 10 feet away at this point) and thump along to the feedback and electronic pulse of "FOREVER" as The Gentleman Phil Selway bows gracefully, while Jonny and Ed continue to fiddle with their electronica before finally departing the stage. Well, that was all a bit stream-of consciousness, and I will undoubtedly remember more as the day goes by.But for now, there you are - the finest rock band in the world today delivering an epic, intimate, gorgeous, threatening, beautiful, shocking set as only they can. Those of you going to Nottingham, I send a knowing wink-enjoy...

Simon Reid.

Review by Tamara: I was lucky enough to have tickets for both the 26th & 27th Nov concert's @ Earl's Court, and while I don't think Radiohead could ever be considered to give a bad performance, last night blew the lid off any live artist I have ever seen (including Wed night's Radiohead)!

The Tribal feel of There There was a fantastic opener setting the mood for the most upbeat Thom I have ever seen! I was awed by all the gems of the new album wondering how you could ever imagine wanting to see them without dying to hear Sail to the Moon or Where I End and you Begin- and they most certainly did justice to all the new songs. But, when I heard the opening chords to Creep I was in denial- certainly they wouldn't be playing the song that they had boycotted for so many years and that I had given up hope of ever hearing live? To be honest, the song is a blur. I was too busy shaking with excitement and when they held us on the high with Paranoid Android I was nearly in tears. No surprises, Just, Idioteque and How to Disappear Completely are among my favourite ever Radiohead songs and I was so grateful to be watching a set that included these special treats.

With 14 of the 25 songs performed last night from the phenomenal back catalogue, I think everyone that was at that show was treated to the most fantastic live performance ever! After waiting for ten years to see Radiohead live and having seen them three times this year, I can honestly say I don't think I'll ever experience anything as phenomenal as last night again in my life! I have come to the conclusion that despite Everything In It's Right place being one of their best preformed songs and I really love the way they walk off the stage individually (emphasizing the importance of each of their individual roles in the band) it has to be the most depressing song to ever hear live as it portends the end!

Review by Tortoise-Boy: I am complete. You may kill me now.

Review by Lucy: this was most definitely the best night of my life so far. this was the first concert i have ever been to so i was obviously so chuffed that it was radiohead. all i can say is that they didn't dissapoint.i was much nearer the front than i expexted to be and atmosphere was incredible.i was just behind the main jumping, right in the middle, so i saw everything.
everone has written about the songs so i wont go into too much detail about them, but needless to say, they were all outstanding in their own ways. some highlights were there there, myxomatosis, just and jonny's impovisation in no suprises (is there nothing he cant do??) my personal favourite moment of the whole night was during creep. everyone was singing along when thom changed a line to " i want a perfect body, to look good next to you" so the singing stopped mid-line. thoms face just screamed "didnt see that one coming did you!". it was priceless!!
the whole night was inarticulately good, so i reallly dont understand how the two morons in front of me managed to stand stock still throughout the performance (???). anyway, thank you chaps, youve made my life!! i just hope there is a next time!

from lucy

Review by Wiggers: One of my life's ambitions for the past 8 years has been realised, and it lived up to every expectation I have ever dreamed. One thing - I wished they'd get rid of 'A punch-up at a wedding' though - I cannot be the only one who skips that track every time...
Brilliant otherwise, just brilliant...

Wiggers

Review by Simon: Tonight was the second time that I have seen Radiohead and they were absolutely outstanding. I felt priveleged enough when I saw them in Porto last year and heard the new tracks that would end up on the Hail to the Thief album release. The colosseu in Porto was a lot smaller and more intimate but it certainly does not compare to the acoustic wonderment felt by all in Earl's Court.

They just seem to be improving all the time. "Creep" was an unbelievable treat, especially as they played it in Porto last year, but this time with much more gusto! Jonny was amazing the way he ripped through that guitar, and the lighting, I was nearly blinded from my seated position, those at the front must have been nearly blinded.

It was good to hear some of the early stuff, but unlike those philistines who have slated the new techno-electric sound that Radiohead have showed over the last 3 albums, I love the way that they are continuously diversifying their style, stretching the musical boundaries into new fields unheard before by the human ear. They have to be the gods of progressive rock!

The great thing as well to see the expression in Thom's face and the other members, they really love playing this stuff as we do. Their was real passion in their play. Guitar, piano, techno....one just blended into the other.

A special thank you should go to the two prats in Block 6 who had fisticuffs during "A PUNCH-UP AT A WEDDING", I don't know whether it was planned but the timing was perfect. Finally, a message for Hong who sent in an earlier review, Colin plays bass, you were referring to Ed, and so what if he just beats a couple of sticks together for a song, Radiohead are one "FOREVER".

Hopefully there will be the opportunity to see Radiohead in 2004 at some festival or small gig. Roll on the next album. I left the concert with a big smile on my face with those immortal lyrics at the front of my mind, "I wanna live, breathe, I wanna be part of the human race". Indeed I do.

Simon Edge

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