Thom Yorke's The Eraser has leaked

Thom Yorke's album 'The Eraser' has leaked. There was only a small amount of copies available and yet the album got out more than a month before the release .

You will probably find it, but please note that the sound quality is not as it should be. All promo copies have been watermarked; the removal of this watermark influences the quality. So try to be patient and at least don't forget to buy the album on July 10th.

The Eraser lyrics

Here's a first shot at the lyrics of Thom Yorke's fortcuming album The Eraser. Please note, the lyrics are not 100% correct, there's some stuff missing and they're being updated. But here you go for the first seven tracks. The record will be out on XL Recordings, July 10th.

David Cameron's Fake Plastic Request

As one of rock'n'roll's most right-on figures, Radiohead singer Thom Yorke is used to people claiming him as a friend. But the Tory leader David Cameron's efforts to trumpet his chumminess with the star have backfired.

Listeners to this morning's edition of Desert Island Discs will hear Mr Cameron talk of how Yorke played a song specially for him - at The Big Ask Live at London's Koko - after requesting the track beforehand. However, Thom Yorke said it did not happen. Despite what Mr Cameron thinks, the choice of song was nothing to do with him, Yorke said.

Radiohead - whose hits include Paranoid Android and Karma Police - are one of Mr Cameron's favourite bands, and he was invited along to a Friends of the Earth benefit show being played by Yorke and the band's guitarist, Jonny Greenwood.

Appearing as today's desert island castaway, Mr Cameron tells Sue Lawley that the musicians performed the song "Fake Plastic Trees" at his request. Ms Lawley asks "And he played this song for you?", to which Mr Cameron responds: "Yes, he did. I sent this rather sad letter saying I'd love to come to the concert, thank you for asking. PS please play this, my favourite song - and he did."

But a spokesman for Yorke said yesterday: "The set list was chosen to reflect the fact that it was just Thom and Jonny playing and the choice of songs was what they wanted to play - nothing to do with any special requests." [from: Independent]

Limited edition prints of The Eraser artwork

Stanley Donwood has added several limited edtion prints of the London Views/The Eraser artwork to his shop. Prices range from 100 to 200 pounds. Go to the Slowly Downward shop to empty your wallets. [thanks Tanner]

Los Angeles tickets... all gone in flash

The tickets for the Radiohead shows at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (June 29 & 30) have sold out in a flash. There must be some record broken and let's not bore you with the stats (for now). Congrats to all of you who got through. A lot of those tickets are probably on eBay by now.

Thom: Coming off tune

Thom posted on Dead Air Space:

i hAVE been asked lots and lots about the tune we play over the speakers at the end of the show.
its a track that richard russell sent me from XL... Turbulence 'notorious'
the record is coming out in the summer i think
on XL.

see you in US

Thom

Signed Radiohead print on auction for NSPCC

There's a signed Radiohead artwork print on auction over at eBay. The items has been donated by Radiohead.

Proceeds of the final sale price will support National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). So start bidding...

The NSPCC's mission is to end cruelty to children. Our vision is a society in which all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. In other words, a society that will not tolerate child abuse - whether sexual, physical, emotional, or neglect.

Los Angeles tickets on sale tomorrow

Don't forget to get your tickets for the Radiohead shows at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (June 29 & 30). Tickets go on sale at 10am through Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster outlets.

Apparently, radio station KROQ are giving away tickets to both Los Angeles shows.

And speaking of the whole ticket sales system... Ticketmaster is going to start auctioning off the best tickets to events online. The Internet has made it easy for speculators to buy tickets and resell them at huge prices at online sites such as Craigslist and eBay.

Ticket sites StubHub and RazorGator do nothing but resell tickets, charging both sellers and buyers service fees. Ticketmaster auction money is split between the promoter and artist, with Ticketmaster taking a service fee.

First Listen: Thom Yorke's The Eraser

Pitchfork has the first review of Thom Yorke's The Eraser: The Eraser is a sumptuous, Nigel Godrich-produced layer cake of plaintive piano, haunting synth squalls, and chugging guitars built atop skittish programmed beats and devoured by Thom Yorke's anguished ruminations on the pressures and paranoias attendant to fame and expectation. And no, it's not a techno record.

Regarding The Eraser, Yorke also wrote "inevitably it is more beats & electronics. but its [sic] songs," and that pretty much sums it up. The record is song-oriented to a perhaps surprising degree-- no instrumentals, all tracks pretty much in the four-minute range, mostly standard time signatures-- and emphasizes the trademark textural richness of Radiohead and Godrich.[read the track-by-track first glimpse]

Radiohead reveal tour secrets

Radiohead have revealed the inside story behind their live return and explained their decision to return to mainly guitar-based rock.

NME joined the band on their first UK trek in three years, during which they treated fans to ten new songs that are expected to feature on their next album, not due until 2007.

"Playing live again is something I've been thinking about for a year and three quarters," guitarist Jonny Greenwood said. "I love it."

He then went onto explain that there are many more new tracks to see the light of day, saying: "We've done about half of the new songs, so there's lots more to come. We're going to tour in America and that's when we're going to try out more of the new songs. At the minute we feel like we're warming up and remembering how to play again."

For the full behind the scenes coverage of Radiohead's UK live return, including their hardcore fans and singer Thom Yorke's debut solo album, be sure to pick up this week's NME, which hits newsstands nationwide today.

Phil: 'Thanks'

A message from Phil on Dead Air Space:

Thanks to everyone for their messages of condolence and support over the past few weeks - they really have been a great help. I have also really appreciated the respectful silence on DAS.... well, it's either that or nobody's had anything to say for a week and a half which, in my experience, is unlikely. See you in America.

Phil

15 Step Video, Happy Birthday Phil!

Things go fast with Radiohead these days... The video for 15 Step is already online. Or is it? [mirror]

How to get Radiohead to play Brazil? Start a website? Who knows? Click!

And the Phil lovers have united as well. Care for a click? It's his Birthday you know?

Vote Radiohead into Xfm's Hall Of Fame

This summer sees the official opening of the Xfm Hall Of Fame. Each year Xfm will be honouring one of the world's greatest bands or musicians. After all the nominations Xfm have a shortlist of five bands. Vote for who you think should be the first nominee and you could win tickets to the festival of your choice!

Xfm's shortlist:

The Clash - Punk legends and inspiration for generations of bands. Muse - The scale, the ambition, the live shows, the guitar solos! Nirvana - The genius group who dragged alternative rock into the mainstream. Oasis - Liam and Noel, heroes of Britpop and beyond. Radiohead - The most musically innovative group of the decade.

Start voting at the Xfm website. [thanks Suzie]

Thom Yorke fears fans' static

LA Times' Calendar Live have a story on Thom Yorke's new album The Eraser, talking with Kris Chen, senior vice president of artists & repertoire for XL Recordings: "It really did take everybody by surprise."

Radiohead's management brokered a deal in late January/early February with the indie label, home to acts including Devendra Banhart, the White Stripes and Dizzee Rascal. "Everybody involved was able to keep it under wraps for a while," says Chen.

Since the announcement, some fans have grown dismayed at the idea of pop's most inscrutable poet of ennui releasing what some fear might be an indulgent electronica album. Chen, however, is at pains to banish the notion.

"Contrary to what some people are posting on bulletin boards, it's not 'Thom's techno record,' " he says. "It is well-composed, beautifully thought-out and song-based. Thom's voice and lyrics are unmistakable. That said, it's not as if you're going to hear the more guitar-based angle of, say, 'The Bends.' "

One of Yorke's new songs, "Black Swan," will play over the closing credits in Richard Linklater's animated sci-fi film, "A Scanner Darkly," which hits theaters in July.

Until then, Yorke completists can stay current via the album's interactive — and spookily atmospheric — website, theeraser.net.

"That's crucial in keeping up the dialogue with Thom's fans — there's an invitation to keep coming back," Chen says. "Since the site launched last week, it's gone through changes every day. We're trying to get music across to people outside the tried-and-true norm."

Radiohead attract the stars

Susie Siouxsie, Gnarls Barkley's Dangermouse, The Mighty Boosh plus comedy duo Adam and Joe were among the celebrities who saw Radiohead at Hammersmith Apollo in London last night, reports NME.

The band were in suprisingly high spirits throughout the gig though particularly when a member of the crowd threw a bra onstage during 'Idioteque' and singer Thom Yorke joked: "What's that for? Is it my birthday today?"

Acknowledging their work in progress, Yorke declared before the guitar driven 'Open Pick', "Some of the new stuff we have got is pretty sketchy at the moment. We have got to sort it all out."

Radiohead in London - Night 2

Radiohead played their second gig at London's Hammersmith Apollo. This is the last gig of the european tour. The band kicked off at 20:40 hrs (UK Time). Open Pick was introduced by Thom as "This is our newest one". Videotape was played again tonight as well as 'Go Slowly'. Thanks again to Jasmine for the live updates from the venue.

For the setlist, reviews, photos etc, check the gigography.

Hammersmith Apollo review in Evening Standard

Being a Radiohead fan is sometimes perceived as being like sitting huddled on a freezing mountainside, waiting for the next icy gust in the form of another brittle, hostile new album.

But the Oxford eggheads are in fact a more generous bunch than most. They forged a close internet relationship with their followers years before the invention of MySpace, and now they are touring with no album to plug until 2007, simply giving fans the chance to hear a generous number of new songs nice and early.

For opening track Videotape, a fragile piano ballad aired for the first time, guitarist Ed O'Brien sat cross-legged before his effects pedals like a boy with a train set. Multi-instrumentalist lynchpin Jonny Greenwood later prodded at a small box that may have been steering a toy racing car offstage. [full review]

Radiohead in London - Night 1 [Videotape debuts]

Radiohead are playing their first night in London of their European May tour. This is the first of two gigs at the Hammersmith Apollo. As usual we'll be doing live updates - because we have nothing better to do. At 20:40 (UK Time, the band kick off with Videotape. Which is yet another new opener and the debut of this song. [found it at finefinemusic.com] Just before the band started the second encore with Bangers 'N Mash, Thom said: "A special thank you to all of you who bought a ticket". - we will figure out what that means later. Thom didn't sing the second verse of Let Down. The second encore had the full band on stage watching Thom play 'I Want None Of This' for the second time this tour. Halfway through Thom shouted 'Shut up you cunt' to a loud fan. 'Everything in its right place' closed the set. [thanks to Grant & Jasmine for the live updates]

For the full setlist, photos and reviews, check the gigography.

Date set + 1 day tickets for Rock en Seine available

The Rock En Seine festival in Paris has just released its full line-up. Radiohead were already confirmed for the festival, but it was uncertain which date Radiohead are going to play.

Radiohead will be headlining Saturday August 26th. Some more news from the festival organisation; the earlier annouced single day tickets are available now as well. Get your tickets at fnac. [thanks Guitou]

NME Poll - Your Favourite New Radiohead Song

NME wants to know which new Radiohead song is your favourite. The new songs selected are the ones the band have been playing on the past 7 shows: Open Pick, Bodysnatchers, Arpeggi, House Of Cards, Go Slowly, 15 Step, Spooks, Nude, 4 Minute Warning, Bangers 'N' Mash. You can cast your vote in a poll on the NME website.

Elbow frontman in Radiohead plea

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey is calling on Radiohead to sign a deal with his record label. The singer, who runs Skinny Dog Records, home to the likes of I Am Kloot, has made a personal appeal through NME.COM for the Oxford quintet to join the artist label.

Radiohead are currently out of contract and are still to sign to a record label.And Garvey reckons Skinny Dog Records can offer them a deal they can't refuse.

He told NME.COM: "They haven't got a record deal at the minute and being the coolest record label in the land we're gonna offer them a deal. Because it is an artist run label we can offer really fair terms so we thought Radiohead might be interested. We're huge fans of the band and we can offer them really good percentages. I can't see why they wouldn't wanna be on. We are the best record label in the world." [thanks Bas]

Blackpool review on GigWise.com

There's really no such thing as a bad Radiohead gig, because even Radiohead on an off night are better than most other bands at the top of their game.

Touring again after a two and a half year break, the band are using their dates to road-test songs from their upcoming album - not touted for release until 2007. The songs are still works in progress and are being shaped nightly by practice and audience feedback. It takes a brave and confident band to let the world in on their creative process and this is reason number 28 why Radiohead are miles above their peers. [read it in full]

Radiohead in Wolverhampton - Night 2

Radiohead are currently playing the Civic in Wolverhampton once again. It's their second of two nights. You should be expecting live updates from the venue, but unfortunately our satellite truck got towed. Honestly, we didn't see the sign!! So our apologies for the delay. Cues pause music.

Update: Luckily, we have Mandy in Wolverhampton and just confirmed the setlist. Surprisingly, the band opened with You And Whose Army? By accident, someone hit the wrong button and the fire alarm went off, with a voice saying that the crowd had to leave the venue." The band played 'Go Slowly' once again. At one point a guy shouted to Thom: 'Can I have your baby?!'. Thom: "How are you gonna manage that?"

For the full setlist, reviews, photos, etc.. check the gigography.

Stanley Donwood: London Views

Starting May 19th, you can see an exhibition at Lazarides in Soho, London of Stanley Donwood's LONDON VIEWS. The exhibtion will run 'for about a month'. Here's an invitation.

Radiohead in Wolverhampton [live report]

Radiohead have played their first gig at Wolverhampton's Civic tonight. Sail To The Moon debuted on this tour. Thom made some comments about the songs. Bangers n Mash: "About whatever gets you up". Let Down: "This is a song from a few years ago. Actually most are from a few years ago, because we buggered off. But we did write some new songs which you've heard". Bones had a false start, Thom headbutts the mic. Nude was dedicated to Nigel Godrich ["This one is for Nigel"]. During My Iron Lung, Thom tells someone in the middle of the crowd to chill the fuck out and points to a crowd surfer. Radiohead closed the gig with No Surprises. Thanks to Mandy for the live updates from the venue. Radiohead will play the Civic in Wolverhampton again tomorrow.

For the full setlist, reviews, photos, etc.. check the gigography.

The Eraser website updated

Thom Yorke's The Eraser website has been updated with artwork in PDF flies, which are connected with the album's release on July 10th (UK)/July 11th (North America): www.theeraser.co.uk.

Stanley Donwood's site has been updated as well. Check the London Views section. Stanley used the Eraser artwork again apparently.

Damon Albarn Lambasts Radiohead

From GigWise: Damon Albarn has seemingly got a bee in his bonnet about other artists claiming to be things they are not and Radiohead are his main target.

The Blur and Gorillaz man has taken a swipe at Thom Yorke and co blasting them for their live shows and their lack of "humanity".

According to the Sun Albarn said: "Radiohead - I'm not gonna get into anyone, but bands who care about certain things and then go on one-and-a-half-year stadium tours are just total hypocrites."

"In on sense you've got this developing humanist thing that's coming out of you, which is great. Then you're creating these massive impersonal events where you set up as the subject of thousands of people's adoration. Where is the humanity in that? That's just idolatory."

Meow!

Nude recorded, Radiohead tour in 2007

Some bits and pieces from Radiohead's current affairs and plans, as heard from Ed & Thom after the show in Blackpool's Empress Ballroom:

Radiohead have actually finished recording 'Nude', Thom has said. The song (aka Big Ideas) has been kicking around for about 10 years now and is back on the setlists of all the recent live shows. Speaking of touring and for those who missed out on tickets for the current tour: Ed mentioned that the band will be touring next year as well. [thanks Nick]

Go Slowly & I Want None Of This in Blackpool

Radiohead played their second show in Blackpool tonight. The band debuted a new song at the Empress Ballroom.

According to our reporter, Jasmine, the song was quite dark and bass heavy. Thom played the piano. The song title is Go Slowly. A recording has been spotted in the multimedia forum.

The encore features four songs from The Bends and a new one: Just, Four Minute Warning, The Bends and Street Spirit. Thom comes out on his own for the second encore to debut I Want None Of This. The rest of the band join to play Paranoid Android, which closes the two Blackpool nights.

Check the gigography for the full setlist.

Next show is at Wolverhampton's Civic on Monday May 15th.

Thom's album The Eraser out in July

On Friday we got an exciting message from w.a.s.t.e. saying to keep an eye on our inbox today. Early this morning we've received the following message from Thom Yorke:

this is just a note to say that something has been kicking around in the background that i have not told you about.
its called The Eraser.
nigel produced & arranged it .
i wrote and played it.
the elements have been kicking round now for a few years and needed to be finished & i have been itching to do something like this for ages.
it was fun and quick to do.
inevitably it is more beats & electronics.
but its songs.
stanley did the cover.
yes its a record!
no its not a radiohead record.
as you know the band are now touring and writing new stuff and getting to a good space so i want no crap about me being a traitor or whatever splitting up blah blah...
this was all done with their blessing. and i don't wanna hear that word solo. doesnt sound right.
ok then thats that.

i think its out in july and im pretty certain XL are going to put it out.

love thom

++++++++

The tracklisting should be as follows: 01 the eraser, 02 analyse, 03 the clock, 04 black swan, 05 skip divided, 06 atoms for peace, 07 and it rained all night, 08 harrowdown hill, 09 cymbal rush

At the end of the tour Radiohead will resume work on their new album, due for release next year.

++++++++

Radiohead in Blackpool [live report]

Radiohead played the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool tonight. This is the first show after the cancelled Amsterdam gig on Wednesday.

The first show of the UK tour has a new opener; the band start around 8:35 pm with The National Anthem, followed by 2+2=5. First new song is Bangers n Mash. Then two from OK Computer: Lucky & Airbag + two new ones: Bodysnatchers & 15 Step and another two from OK Computer: Exit Music (for a film) and Paranoid Android. Something old, something new: Nude and Arpeggi. Three older songs in a row debut on this tour: My Iron Lung, Where I end and you begin and Climbing up the walls. Then How To Disappear Completely, Idioteque and There There end the regular set. First Encore starts with Planet Telex and House of Cards. Ed and Jonny share a mic during Black Star. They close the encore with Everything in its right place and come back to play The Tourist, which closes the set. Radiohead will play Blackpool again tomorrow. [a big thanks to Jasmine for the updates from the Empress Ballroom]

For the full setlist, check the gigography.

Apologies from Phil

Phil posted a message for all Radiohead fans on Dead Air Space:

Just wanted to say sorry to the people who were due to come to our show in Amsterdam last night, particularly those who made wasted journeys. My mum died suddenly in the early hours of yesterday morning and so I just wanted to be at home with my family. Mum was a big Radiohead fan, and was very proud of all we've done as a band. I love and miss her very much.

Pitchfork posts video and review of live Arpeggi

Pitchfork has posted a video (live in Copenhagen) and a review of the new full band Arpeggi.

The new version is pure Radiohead forward-jangle, from the dire, watery themes-- which recall "Pyramid Song" and "In Limbo", among others-- to Ed O'Brien's back-up vocals, which once again prove to be the band's most consistent secret weapon. A far crackle from the electro-shock riffage of yore, "Arpeggi" relies on a rumbling subtlety to build. Just as the song seems to be heading full-tilt toward a triumphant skinny-spastic Greenwood solo, it disperses into an extended outro with Yorke longing for "escape." Thankfully, there is none.

PowPowPow.com posted a review of all the new songs we have heard so far.

And in the meantime; Thom posted a link to The Eraser on Dead Air Space just now.

Thom Yorke's track for A Scanner Darkly

The earlier reported track Thom Yorke made available for the film 'A Scanner Darkly' is called 'Black Swan'.

In film magazine Premiere, there is an interview with director Richard Linklater about his upcoming film. The director was asked if he got the Radiohead song he wanted.

Linklater said: "Thom Yorke is letting us use a great song off his new album for the closing credits, "Black Swan." It has a chorus, "because it's fucked up," that will never get airplay. [thanks Jason & Ari]

Tonights Amsterdam show is cancelled

Tonights show at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam has been cancelled. We've just been informed of the sad news that Phil Selway's mother has died. The show has been postponed for now. Management stated that a new date is not yet available. However, it looks like the band will reschedule for August 28th.

Our condolences go out to Phil and his family.

Update: For those who are worried about the upcoming UK shows. Please wait for further announcements as no decission has been made about those shows at this point. More info soon.

Update 2: An official confirmation has just came in that the upcoming shows in the UK are going ahead as scheduled.

Update 3: Here's the official statement from Radiohead:
"Due to an unexpected & sudden family bereavement we are unable to do the show tonight in Amsterdam. We have rescheduled it for Monday August 28th. We are extremely sorry to cause such inconvenience & disappointment, & are especially sorry to those who travelled far."

Tickets for tonight's show are valid for the rescheduled show.
Alternatively, fans can obtain a refund from their ticket retailer until 11th June.

Colin posted on Dead Air Space as well, saying:

"We're very sorry, but because of a sudden family bereavement, we have had to cancel tonight's second concert at the Heineken Concert Hall. We are trying to re - schedule the concert in Amsterdam later on in the summer. We will keep you posted here, and in the usual media. We are especially sorry to those people who have made a special effort to travel and see us play. At least it's been a sunny day here, and there's no finer place in the sun than Amsterdam."

Tickets for North American shows back online

Another batch of tickets for the North American shows are available at w.a.s.t.e. again. Go go go... tickets.waste.uk.com

Radiohead in Amsterdam - Night 1

Radiohead played the Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall with a similer set as the ones in Copenhagen. The big difference was the sound quality. The sound at the venue was much better than at the KB Hallen shows in Copenhagen and this really made the Tuesday show the best of the tour so far, despite several mistakes. The glitches were far from annoying though. It was actually quite entertaining how the band had to pause during some of the songs. Thom Yorke suggested to go to the bar when the band played the new songs ('There's a bar over there and a bar over there'). The band played new tracks: '15 Step', 'Bodysnatchers', 'House of Cards', 'Spooks', 'Bangers n Mash' and 'Open Pick'.

'Bangers n Mash' featured Thom on drums again. But instead of doing the first part on tambourine, he drummed throughout the whole song this time. The band were in a good mood, however at some point the band seemed a bit pissed with a couple of the glitches, but they didn't let it spoil their evening. At one point Thom said:' Jonny wants me to say 'Lik me reet' but I don't know what it means. Ed: "He's been saying it all day". And for those who are not too familiar with the Dutch language, 'Lik me reet' means as much as 'Kiss my ass'.

Radiohead confirms Pukkelpop Festival

Radiohead have confirmed their slot on the Pukkelpop Festival. As reported earlier Radiohead will play the festival in Hasselt (Belgium), which is held from August 17 through 19 2006.

Advance sale day tickets cost 57 euro on Friday and Saturday, 60 euro on Thursday or 113 euro for three days. Remember that the campsite, the national train fare and the bus ticket (De Lijn) are included in the ticket price.

Advance sale by phone starts on Saturday 13th May. Tickets can be booked with Go For Music (pay phone) at: 0900/260.60 (in Belgium) – 0900/45 000 45 (in The Netherlands) - 0032 34 0000 34 (in other countries)
or through the Internet: www.goformusic.be.
Tickets will be available at the usual advance sale points from Saturday 3rd June on.

More information soon at www.pukkelpop.be.

Pictures from Copenhagen on Dead Air Space

The band have posted pictures from Copenhagen on Dead Air Space. The photos are most likely from the soundchecks. As mentioned earlier, the band have been rehearsing at KB Hallen in Copenhagen for the tour the past week. Radiohead will be playing the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Radiohead's second night in Copenhagen

Radiohead played their second night at Copenhagen's KB Hallen with a similar set as the night before. In a sold out and hot venue the band played new songs '15 Step', 'Bangers 'n Mash', 'Spooks', 'Arpeggi', 'Open Pick' & 'House of Cards'. And 'Nude' & 'Let Down' were included again. Here's the full setlist.

Exclusive: 'Bangers n Mash' video online

The video of new Radiohead song 'Bangers 'n Mash',performed last night at KB Hallen in Copenhagen is now online. The song features Thom on drums during part of the song. Thanks to cinnamongirl for taping the video. Download it here.

Radiohead kick off European tour in Kopenhagen

Radiohead kicked off their tour in Kopenhagen tonight. The band was there for rehearsals this week and tonight they played for a sold out KB Hallen. The band played many new tracks as well as old favourites as Let Down, Black Star and Nude. Radiohead played four tracks from their second album 'The Bends' Thom: "We're playing a lot of songs from this album tonight. I don't know why." Radiohead played 'Planet Telex', 'Street Spirit', 'The Bends' and 'Black Star' from that album.

The band started the set with their usual closer 'Everything in its right place', followed by 'Planet Telex'. Then two new songs 'Bangers 'n' Mash' with Thom on drums and 'Open Pick'. 'Karma Police' was followed by two long time (and rarely played) favourites 'Black Star' and 'Nude'.

Third new song was '15 Step', followed by four older tracks ('Street Spirit', 'Wolf at the Door', 'The Bends'). '4 Minute Warning' was new song number four. 'Pyramid Song' featured Jonny playing his guitar with a bow. 'House of Cards' premiered as a full band version. Just after 'Idioteque', 'Spooks' made its live debut. This was the last track of the regular setlist (where '2+2=5' was on the actual setlist, but blacked out).

First encore started with 'Bodysnatchers' and 'You and whose army'. After a lot of requests over the years, Radiohead finally played 'Let Down' again. The band closed the first encore with 'Paranoid Android'.

The band ended the evening with 'Lucky' in the second encore. (more later).

Check the gigography for the full setlist, photos and reviews. And some more photos, right here.

Planet Telex used in Southland Tales film

Radiohead are featured in new movie Southland Tales. "An extra special version of Planet Telex, performed live in San Francisco" is included on the list of songs. No word on including it on the soundtrack too. [from whedon.info, thanks Patrick]

Montreal & New York shows sold out in minutes.

Tickets for the two Montreal and two New York City concerts at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier sold out in only a few minutes. At one ticketmaster outlet only the first guy who went to the counter obtained a ticket (he was there since 6 am).For those who missed out, please check the ticket trade section on the ateaseweb.com message board. You might get lucky. [thanks Nino & Sharif]

Scott Walker on Radiohead

Scott walker is interviewed in this month's Mojo magazine (UK) and mentioned Radiohead. When asked about his return to the music business, he had this to say...

"Alot of it's diabolical, but it's not down to most of the artists, it's just market economics. There are good things in it. I'm glad i'm around while Radiohead are having a career, 'cos they're fabulous. If i could have it all again and be in a band, that's the kind of band i'd like to have been in." [thanks Mark]

Big Ask soundcheck & Thom's speech on Newsnight

BBC Newsnight have some of video highlights available online with 'Ethical Man' visiting the The Big Ask Live on Monday. The feature includes Thom & Jonny soundchecking 'Gagging Order' and a recording of Thom's speech after the show. [thanks Ali]

The Black Keys to support Radiohead on six dates

The Black Keys will be supporting Radiohead on the Montreal, New York and Chicago dates (June 10, 11, 13, 14, 19 en 20). For those who are not familiar with the band, check the Black Keys official website. [thanks Francois]

W.A.S.T.E. pre-sale has started!

Pre-sale of the North American tickets has now started: http://tickets.waste.uk.com/.

Update: all tickets have sold out. For those who have missed out: try your luck at the Ticketmaster outlets. This Friday the first shows will go on sale.

Audio & video from Koko surface

Audio and video from Thom & Jonny's show at the Big Ask Live at London's Koko has surfaced already. Various links can be found in the multimedia section of the ateaseweb.com msg board. Right now, all of the tracks are already online. Here are some video links: Pyramid Song, Arpeggi I, Arpeggi II, I Might Be Wrong, Bodysnatchers I, Bodysnatchers II, Street Spirit, Paranoid Android, Cymbal Rush, Gagging Order, Fake Plastic Trees.

The Independent reviews Koko gig

The Independent already have their review of the Jonny & Thom performance at Koko online:

A curt "how are you?" from Yorke was his only welcome, though "Karma Police" needed no introduction, even with the frontman on guitar and Greenwood's beanpole frame hunched over an upright piano. The audience were soon in full voice. It was an instant reminder that despite all the sonic trickery Radiohead were first and foremost songwriters of distinction.

Yorke's muscled banter between songs was lost to us up in the gods, but it was clear he was a proficient busker, hitting a taut rhythm on "There, There" to which his partner added a crunchy accompaniment on his electric guitar.

Then Yorke finger picked precisely first newie "Arpeggi". As well as carrying a beautiful melody, he sang his most plaintive tune since "OK Computer". It was a straightforward arrangement, but no less beguiling for that. Another new tune had Yorke sample his voice to devise a rhythm, Laurie Anderson style. Like its peers it was propelled by a direct beat with an insistent tune on top. On the more proggy "Fake Plastic Trees" the pair met the crescendo to its emphatic chorus before the wearied finale. Greenwood even betrayed a sense of humour by peppering the number with seagull cries to add his own brand of subversion. Yorke, meanwhile, half-read green messages from small notes before chucking them away for the simple slogan, "It's not too late".

Such flashes of wit were welcome given his strained demeanour. Yorke was as serious as can be while performing. Koko was a large venue for a duo to cover, but his intense delivery made it all the more intimate. It was a night made for the lullaby charms of "No Surprises", played with immaculate grace. [read it in full]

Deerhoof to support Radiohead

Deerhoof will be supporting Radiohead on the Californian dates in Berkeley (June 23 & 24), San Diego (June 26 & 27) and Los Angeles (June 29 & 30). For some audio check, MySpace. [thanks Rafah & Michael]

W.A.S.T.E. pre-sale of North American tickets

W.A.S.T.E. will be selling a very limited amount of tickets for the earlier announced North American shows on Tuesday May 2nd.

The official on sale dates are as follows:

May 5: Montreal, New York
May 6: Philadelpia, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, San Diego
May 14: Berkeley
May 25: Los Angeles

PUBLIC ON SALE WILL BE THROUGH TICKETMASTER AND USUAL OUTLETS.
SEE LOCAL PRESS FOR DETAILS.

PLEASE JUST BUY WHAT YOU NEED. ONE DAY IT MAY BE YOU
HAVING TO BID FOR TICKETS ON EBAY

Thom & Jonny at London's Koko [live report]

Thom Yorke & Jonny Greenwood have played London's Koko at the Big Ask Live; The Ondes Martenot has been played on some of the old and new songs. Simon Amstall was presenting the show. David Cameron and Nigel Godrich were in the audience. The setlist was as follows:

01 Karma Police
02 There There - Someone from the crowd shouts "Thom for PM". Thom: "Then I'll have to make compromises"
03 Arpeggi {with one electric and one acoustic guitar}
04 Fake Plastic Trees.
05 Bodysnatchers {with a 'great riff', song about changing skin/face}
06 Pyramid Song
07 How to disappear completely
08 No Surprises
09 Cymbal Rush {Thom on piano to backing of his recorded voice on a loop going 'uh'. Jonny on the Ondes Martenot.}
10 I Might Be Wrong
11 Street Spirit
---
Encore:
12 Gagging Order
13 Paranoid Android

One special request for those in the UK: Text your name to 83248 to sign a Big Ask petition for the MP's to see. Thom has said that tonight was the chance to be able to do something and not just sit back. Reporters from BBC World Service, BBC6, Newsnight and FOE were doing interviews at the show.

[A big THANK YOU to Suzie for keeping us updated]

Press release: No Radiohead album release in 2006

Having finally received the full list of North American tour dates, anticipating tonight's perfomance of Jonny & Thom at London's Koko... bad news shortly followed. Pitchfork quotes from a press release, saying: "There are no plans for a Radiohead album release any time in 2006". I suppose we'll have to bootleg our own the coming months.

Full North American tour now confirmed

Finally, we can skip the rumours, unoffcial confirmations and anonymous sources. Jam had just posted the full list of dates for Radiohead's North American tour.

June 1 - Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre
June 2 - Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre

June 4 - Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion
June 5 - Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion

June 7 - Toronto, ON @ Hummingbird Centre
June 8 - Toronto, ON @ Hummingbird Centre

June 10 - Montreal, QC @ Salle Wilfred-Pelletier at Place des Arts
June 11 - Montreal, QC @ Salle Wilfred-Pelletier at Place des Arts

June 13 - New York, NY @ The Theatre at Madison Square Garden
June 14 - New York, NY @ The Theatre at Madison Square Garden

June 17 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

June 19 - Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
June 20 - Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre

June 23 - Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theater
June 24 - Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theater

June 26 - San Diego, CA @ Bayside
June 27 - San Diego, CA @ Bayside

June 29 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theater
June 30 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theater

Radiohead confirmed for Toronto - June 7 & 8

Radiohead have just been confirmed for two dates at the Hummingbird Centre in Toronto. Willy Mason will be supporting both shows on June 7th & 8th. Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on May 6th at 10 AM (with a 2 ticket limit per person).

Radiohead confirmed for Philiadelphia: June 1 & 2

Radiohead are confirmed for two dates in Philadelphia. According to Ticketmaster the band will play the Tower Theatre (Upper Darby) on June 1st & 2nd. Tickets go on sale through ticketmaster on May 6th at 10 am. [thanks Frank]