Review by Steven: They don't come much bigger than Radiohead, and as this immense set, running well over 2 hours displayed, they also don't come much better. Drawing mostly from this year's 'Hail to the thief' and material from the 'Kid A' sessions, they put on such an impressive show that they left the sell out crowd utterly satisfied.

Support act The Asian Dub Foundation aptly fulfilled their role and got the arena nice and sweaty in preparation for what was to come. With energy and a vibrant approach, they really made an impression, with one fan recalling their sound as fuelling 'the political angst of Rage Against the Machine with the dirty beats of the London dance underground'. There can be no doubt more than a handful of T-shirts with their name on them were shifted that night.

Kicking off with recent single 'There There', they had the crowd in their hands from the get-go. '2+2=5' followed, with Thom's punchy powerchords getting the crowd jumping. The lyric 'You can scream, you can shout' almost like a command to the crowd - not that it was needed. The second they strutted on you couldn't hear the sound of your own voice.

They raided their back catalogue efficiently, with offerings like 'Lucky', 'The National Anthem' and 'I might be wrong'. The crowd flipped for 'Fake Plastic Trees' singing along merrily, unexpected at its early arrival in the set. A paralysing performance of 'Paranoid Android' followed straight after sending the crowd wild.

The set up was almost mythical, with Johnny's little corner showing he is more than the band's lead guitarist, his solo on 'Go to sleep' being a jaw dropping highlight. From song to song, different demands were made, with Johnny often out of sight behind his wealth of equipment and Thom darting from guitar to piano to percussion with ease.

Colin's bass and Phil's drumming were as tight as you would expect with an especially underrated Phil showing just how accomplished he is. Ed, as usual, was great, complimenting Thom and Johnny so well one cannot forget this is the same 5 man line up it has always been; for over ten years. They look so comfortable on stage, well adapted to each other, with beautiful melodies being made effortlessly.

The lighting was particularly remarkable, adding a whole new level to the live act. After 2 encores, giving way to a tear jerking 'Karma Police' and 'How to disappear completely', fans were treated to the word 'Forever' flashing over the crazy effects the band left from the closing song 'Everything in its right place'.

The atmosphere was breathtaking, with fans of all ages united on departure arguing over the highlights, of which there simply were too many. 'Our generations Pink Floyd' argued some. 'Best band in the world' said others. One thing that can be concluded, is Radiohead are as unique and original, diverse and devastating as they were over 10 years ago when 'Creep' infected our ears. It's within their collective power to completely redefine rock as we know it, and with rumours of the long mooted b-sides collection kicking about, it really is time to HAIL.

Review by Lisa: Oh-ho, still buzzing this morning....
Radiohead were the business last night. I came with my husband who's not the biggest Head fan but who left singing and wondering where to buy the special edition of Kid A!

The support was excellent, the Asian Dub Foundation rocked the place and most certainly broadened their fan base last night. Then at about 9pm accompanied by cries of "Heed.. Heed.. Heed.." from some of the mob (ah, Glasgow!), the boys graced the stage and proceeded to make us all very happy.

They started with There There, getting every body singing straight off, and continued with some crackers - the National Anthem which was blistering!

Nice mix of tunes with No Surprises and Karma Police (bliss) popping up aswell as alot of Hail to the Thief. Was kind of hoping Creep might "chugga" it's way into our heads but not complaining, even got to see the band cracking up during Kid A, all thanks to the girl braving it the fresh air in all her glory on top of her boyfriend's shoulders!

Thank you Radiohead and Asian Dub Foundation for a quality evening, the 3 hours flew!
Lisa, Edinburgh.

Review by Andrew: Well, this was my first Radiohead gig, and only my third in total so far. Also the biggest venue I've been in so far (I've only been in the 3000 capacity Corn Exchange and the 500- or thereabouts- Liquid Rooms so far). Unfortunately because of traffic I missed most of Asian Dub Foundation (their new live album is amazing, by the way) but from the last couple fo songs I saw they were great.

After about half an hour of reggae via the PA, the band walked on stage to the strain of 'Where Bluebirds Fly'. A squal of feedback and then the tribal drums of 'There, There'. Unfortunately I was in the seated part of the 'aircraft hangar' so there was not a great deal of atmosphere where I was, but I could pick it up from the rest of the crowd- I don't know why everybody didn't stand up! Still the musical brilliance and occasional antics (not a word usually associated with Thom Yorke, I know) shone through and made for a great gig.

An interesting pint was when Thom said "The critics thought we'd finally lost it when we released this, but then that was the whole point" just before 'Kid A', not a song I expected them to play. Of course everyone was waiting for 'Creep' but that would only have been a bonus. Would have liked to have heard a little more of 'Amnesiac' and maybe 'Street Spirit', but the 'Hail...' tracks came off really well. Like I say, the only real downers were the size of the venue and perhaps the laziness(?) of the seating crowd, but with a band of Radiohead's stature that is excusable. Wouldn't hesitate to go see them again, but then again who would?

Andrew Hill, Edinburgh

Review by Jamie: I like so many bands/artist form different kinds of music but radiohead gave me the most influence. Three years ago, unfortunately, I was in Japan the week radiohead played in Glasgow "in a big tent!" leaving my friend adam to attend that concert. So this was my first radiohead concert. I arrived in SECC early with my sister and adam but there was so many people even before the opening. I came to see The Who (with joe strummer as support) here three years ago so I remembered the place very well. It was a bit sad to see SECC because it reminded me of the death of John Entwistle (Bass, The Who) and Joe Strummer (The Clash). For me, attending this concert was a tribute to them. I was impressed by the Asian Dub Foundation because I love indian music and It sounded special with a mix of rock and hip-hop. At the end they thanked the crowd in more than 10 languages which was fantastic. About 9pm, Radiohead arrived on the stage which we waited 6 months for this moment. Set list was perfect. Mix of all their styles proved positive. Every song was beautiful. I was stunned by "Kid A". They had a simple melody and Thom singing and I was quite sure that they were improvising the rest.

They must be the first rock band to use instrument such as lap top and radio. Thom had no fear on the stage singing and playing his own style. Jonny was a true virtuoso. Playing all his instrument including his Radio which was a highlight of "Climbing up the walls". His guitar playing was amazing. He ignored "the standard guitar playing", creating bizarre sounds, fast guitar playing and taking it to the limit. His guitar solo on "Go to Sleep" proves that he is taking Guitar to another level and he is only guitarist in the world doing so. Ed O'brian brings the songs atmospheric and he should be credited for his performance for "Everything in it's right place. Colin should be credited for his ambient keyboard on "climbing up the walls" and "Idioteque". Phil is always hidden but he is a fantastic drummer keeping the music alive. I was disappointed by the sound. It was great to hear them REALLY REALLY loud but I couldn't hear Colin's Bass and Jonny's guitar solo very well but I am grateful for this performance. I think Radiohead is the most important band in the world because their music is influenced by what's going on in the world and they can help people understand the negatives things in the world. Radiohead can save the world!

Review by Kevin: If the critics (which I suppose I should really be considered amongst by way of writing this review) are divided as to whether the Radiohead of 2003 are better or worse than the Radiohead of 1997 as far as albums are concerned, few can doubt the progression they’ve made as a live act. OK Computer was pretty much recorded live, but in the confines of Glasgow’s SECC, the few songs from that album erupted with a renewed vigour. If some have thought the Kid A/Amnesiac/HTTT tracks lacked verve on record, unleashed live, they’re like particularly vicious lions.

I last saw Radiohead in Belfast in 2001 and the only superior part of Radiohead’s performance that night was the three encores to the two we were treated to on Sunday night. From the light show to the sound in the auditorium, and not least the performance, Radiohead seem to have finally grown from the confidence they had (and lost after) Glastonbury 1997. Only now, do I believe they are really appreciating their own true ability. Anyway, to the set itself…

There There on record builds nicely and cooks by the time Jonny Greenwood slams his foot down on his distortion pedal. In a live setting it doesn’t cook, it burns. 2+2=5 may not be quite as radio-friendly as those who choose singles would like it to be, but when Thom Yorke declares that “You have not been PAYING ATTENTION” at you from the microphone, you really feel the need to stand up and listen. Lucky, shimmers in the way it always has, not that familiarity breeds contempt in this instance.

The pre-2000 tracks here could have been worn out by a band over-familiar with the tricks of the tracks, but instead, maybe due to the fact that they can vary the set list because of the vast repertoire, the old songs sound as glorious as ever. So Fake Plastic Trees makes single people wonder why they didn’t bring a girlfriend along just for those 4 minutes. No Surprises dresses up a horrible image of modern life in the prettiest package you’ll ever hear, while you still stare at Jonny Greenwood in amazement as he taps the xylophone minutes after he was ripping the shit out his guitar on the angry Paranoid Android and the wonderfully sarcastic My Iron Lung (“We are losing it / Can’t you tell?”). Like fu…

If there’s one piece of advice to those about to see Radiohead in 2003-4, it’s to make sure your teeth are pretty well put together, lest Colin Greenwood knocks them out with the deepest, deadliest depth-charge bass this side of a motorbike in first gear. Myxomatosis, The Gloaming and a rendition of Climbing Up The Walls that makes the album version seem like Barry Manilow covering ABBA in comparison, it’s so eerie are the culprits of the deadly bass and all the better for it.

The Kid A / Amnesiac tracks are if anything, an improvement on what I heard two years ago. Back then I didn’t hear Kid A, but have the Berlin bootleg from 2000 to compare it with. The Berlin version didn’t have a confident Thom Yorke falling into fits of laughter as he conducted the crowd to sing “We’ve got heads on sticks / We’ve got ventriloquists”, but all in all the 2003 version is an improvement and a version more ‘alive’ for want of a better word. However, it has to be said that a little more conversation from Yorke wouldn’t go amiss, snide remarks about G.W. Bush aside. I Might Be Wrong live, is a very different kettle of fish to the metronomic album version, with the outro given more force in this setting. The National Anthem is so good; you’d forget it’s enhanced on record with those manic horns. Interestingly, the set and both encores finish with tracks from that era. I first heard Idioteque live a few days after 11 September, 2001 (presumably the only terrorist atrocity that’s ever occurred anywhere if you listen to some people, but that’s beside the point) and the words then made more sense than they ever have before or since, so tonight it evokes memories rather than impact on me the way it did. How To Disappear Completely falls just short of lifting you up off the ground and transporting you to wherever you fancy if you close your eyes for its five minute duration and Everything In Its Right Place allows you to go home with a warm feeling inside thinking of the word ‘forever’.

The tracks from Hail To The Thief, you would imagine would feel the freshest songs of all, but it’s not for the normal reason. Such is the reworking of The Gloaming and Backdrifts that they almost sound like different songs altogether. Where I End And You Begin remains the best song on the album and if anything the live outing increases your appreciation of it. Go To Sleep is just Go To Sleep, but it’s more fun watching Jonny go nuts at the end than merely listening to him go nuts at the end. The only song to come off worse for the night is a slow-tempo and lacklustre version of Scatterbrain.

I bought my ticket for this gig so long ago, the price was irrelevant by the time I waltzed in the door (not literally, obviously) at 8:15pm, but whatever the hell it was, it was worth it, though it would be silly to pay more than face value on Ebay or outside a venue. My one regret in music is not seeing Blur live when they were still really Blur. I’ve seen Radiohead twice now, but if you haven’t seen them yet, go to the next gig you can. Radiohead are a special band and maybe be it for one night only, you could feel just a little bit special and very privileged too.

Kevin Fingleton (A.K.A. Triggs)

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