Londoners Magazine

Radiohead first played Victoria Park back in 2000, as they embarked upon a bold new electronic direction with Kid A, destroying any suggestion that they were a conventional guitar band. Eight years later and they’re back for the start of a major world tour and still with no intentions of playing it safe. Everything about the gig defies typical stadium rock practice.

In an attempt to create an eco-friendly tour, low energy florescent tubes have replaced the standard light show. These dangle ominously above the band and vary their colour and pulsation for each song. This is fitting for a set that shows the band at their most eclectic. They open with the poly-rhythmic ‘15 Steps’ and include many of those ‘difficult’ electronic songs, such as ‘Everything in its right place’ – probably the most fantastically weird song ever played to such a huge audience. The only genuine crowd pleaser is a rousing rendition of ‘Just’ that is greeted with fervour. However, Radiohead fans are bookish aficionados who listen keenly to the most reserved moments. This is no surprise; I just never realised so many were allowed out this late (I was given special permission, incidentally.) It is this genuine appreciation that leads to Thom Yorke to thank us for our “good vibes,” as he had been petrified before coming on stage. The normally reticent front man even manages to rouse a ‘Free Tibet’ chant.

As the night closes in and the allotted time runs out, they make the brave choice to close with the electro freaky stomp of ‘Idioteque.’ - a song never likely to encourage lighters in the air and a final sing-a-long. Nevertheless, it’s an inspired choice by a big band that still manages to excite with their unpredictability.

Illustrations by Nick Brookes