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Tuesday, April 10, 2012
City at Night Radiohead Played a Show Last Night in Seattle
Posted by Grant Brissey on Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 12:31 PM
- Josh Bis
Expectations are a motherfucker. When I wrote "Don’t like The King of Limbs? Listen to it in a year and deny its brilliance," I was trying to convince myself as much as I was you guys. And as much as I like listening to King of Limbs while speeding through a city highway at night, I don't much like hearing it in concert, no matter how well it's executed (and it was executed supremely).
- me
- Collective High
"I definitely saw a lot of people yawning and dancing," said the always on-point Andrew Matson. (Press people are generally given seats together at big shows.) "Airbag" was the highlight, and it came early on. Thing is, if you write some of the greatest compositions of the twentieth century, and then later get all experimental and stop writing "hits," people are going to want to hear the hits, and I won't lie, I was one of them.
- Josh Bis
All that said, Radiohead were skilled professionals on stage. Everything sounded spot on. Throughout, Thom Yorke was shaking his shit like Clive Deamer told Trent he does. Also, I can confirm, unfortunately, that he was sporting a ponytail. And a vest. Johnny Greenwood was hunched over his guitar like Lurch from the Adams Family. The two bald drummers did look like radar dishes, and Colin Greenwood was jumping around back there, in between, like the control station. The sound at Key is not the sound at the Paramount, but the collective high of seeing a band that you and 13,000 other people love somewhat made up for most of it. The lighting show was amazing, affording something for even the nosebleeds. Weed smoke lofted throughout the show, and although I stopped smoking weed a month ago for medical reasons, I WANTED TO BE STONED SO BAD. By "The Gloaming," everyone was in a trance. Even though there weren't enough "hits," Radiohead's mission was successful. I just hope on the next record they pull some sort of return to form and then come to Seattle again.
- Josh Bis
Things I heard outside after the show:
Guy: "I wish they had a bathroom out here." Other guy: "The world is the bathroom."
Woman in high heels pointing at the Space Needle: "Take me up there right now!"
Farther on, cabs were sparser than a seat at the 5 Point, but you'd rather be at Funhouse anyway.
2
@1: Because he's Thom Yorke and he can do whatever the fuck he wants!
Also, the show was incredible. Yes, I maybe could have done without some of the songs they played in exchange for National Anthem or some other 'hits' (I'm looking at you, pseudo-track off of King of Limbs that is literally Thom muttering over a bass-line), but I also kind of loved the fact that they played new/weird stuff; to me it shows that they are still growing and experimenting.
I thought it was awesome to see that they still screw up sometimes, and I also think it's great how humble and grateful they seem to be on stage. Super inspring stuff!
Bravo!
Also, the show was incredible. Yes, I maybe could have done without some of the songs they played in exchange for National Anthem or some other 'hits' (I'm looking at you, pseudo-track off of King of Limbs that is literally Thom muttering over a bass-line), but I also kind of loved the fact that they played new/weird stuff; to me it shows that they are still growing and experimenting.
I thought it was awesome to see that they still screw up sometimes, and I also think it's great how humble and grateful they seem to be on stage. Super inspring stuff!
Bravo!
3
I can't wait to see them at Coachella next week and ingest all of the drugs before their headlining set.
4
I'm pretty sure I would actually murder someone to get a chance to see Radiohead live. Dorky/awkward Thom Yorke fashions and all. They will never come to my town...
5
Knowing that I'll be seeing them at Coachella helped me not feel terrible about having to leave after the first three songs. Plus, the first three songs were good songs.
7
With the release of Kid A and Amnesiac, long-time fans were shocked -- shocked! -- that the band had abandoned sweeping arrangements and prog-rock wankery for claustrophobic electronic compositions. There was copious lamenting and calls for a "return to form."
When In Rainbows and The King of Limbs found the band exploring dense percussive layering, busy or brooding and often jazz-inflected, long-time fans were shocked -- shocked! -- that the band had abandoned the "hits" of Kid A (by this point widely considered its high-water mark). There was copious lamenting and calls for a "return to form."
The cosmic ballet goes on.
When In Rainbows and The King of Limbs found the band exploring dense percussive layering, busy or brooding and often jazz-inflected, long-time fans were shocked -- shocked! -- that the band had abandoned the "hits" of Kid A (by this point widely considered its high-water mark). There was copious lamenting and calls for a "return to form."
The cosmic ballet goes on.
8
I was there last night and I'll agree somewhat about the lack of hits. That said, they KILLED the new songs. Opening with Bloom with Thom's insane reverb and 3 drummers was flat out amazing. Toward the end Give Up The Ghost was the absolute highlight of the show for me. And I didn't even know I liked that song!
10
I'm with #8, 'Give Up The Ghost' was the clear highlight of the night.
As for lack of hits, it's really whatever. If you want to berate a band for not playing their hits, just become the dude that goes to see Foghat at the state fair and yells out song names. You are basically there since you know better than the band, right?
As for lack of hits, it's really whatever. If you want to berate a band for not playing their hits, just become the dude that goes to see Foghat at the state fair and yells out song names. You are basically there since you know better than the band, right?
11
@9: I'd put myself in that camp.
Not really much of a fan these days, but they were pretty great at the Gorge in '01.
Jesus, THAT WAS 11 FUCKING YEARS AGO ALREADY.
Not really much of a fan these days, but they were pretty great at the Gorge in '01.
Jesus, THAT WAS 11 FUCKING YEARS AGO ALREADY.
13
@9: Note how @2 pines for "The National Anthem." Note the excitement with which the crowd greeted "How To Disappear Completely" last night (it wasn't even on the setlist). Note the cries of disappointment that 2012 shows have begun to omit "Everything In Its Right Place" or "Idioteque."
You are unaware of Kid A current status as the band's "classic" because you, like myself, are a mid-30-something who came of age in the Bends/OK Computer era, and because you, unlike myself, have a great deal of reverence for the touchstones of your youth.
But trust me, the Kid A-as-apex phenomenon is a thing. Most early Radiohead fans moved on to safer guitar-centric music. Take a poll of the current fanbase, and you'll mostly hear enthusiasm (now becoming nostalgia) for Radiohead's "middle" period.
Five years from now, Radiohead will be exploring other realms, and younger fans will pine for In Rainbows. This is just what humans do.
You are unaware of Kid A current status as the band's "classic" because you, like myself, are a mid-30-something who came of age in the Bends/OK Computer era, and because you, unlike myself, have a great deal of reverence for the touchstones of your youth.
But trust me, the Kid A-as-apex phenomenon is a thing. Most early Radiohead fans moved on to safer guitar-centric music. Take a poll of the current fanbase, and you'll mostly hear enthusiasm (now becoming nostalgia) for Radiohead's "middle" period.
Five years from now, Radiohead will be exploring other realms, and younger fans will pine for In Rainbows. This is just what humans do.
14
Don't get me wrong, I don't think Kid A is a bad album at all. I love all their albums for separate reasons, even King of Limbs. But of the middle era, I prefer Amnesiac. My main point is that some of their compositions are more arresting live than others, and last night there was a healthy helping of others.
15
@9: Note how @2 pines for "The National Anthem." Note the excitement with which the crowd greeted "How To Disappear Completely" last night (it wasn't even on the setlist). Note the cries of disappointment that 2012 shows have begun to omit "Everything In Its Right Place" or "Idioteque."
You are unaware of Kid A's current status as the band's "classic" because you, like myself, are a mid-30-something who came of age in the Bends/OK Computer era, and because you, unlike myself, have a great deal of reverence for the touchstones of your youth.
But trust me, the Kid A-as-apex phenomenon is a thing. Most early Radiohead fans moved on to safer guitar-centric music long, long ago. Take a poll of the current fanbase, and you'll mostly hear enthusiasm (now curdling into nostalgia) for Radiohead's "middle" period.
Five years from now, Radiohead will be exploring other realms, and younger fans will pine for In Rainbows. This is just what humans do.
You are unaware of Kid A's current status as the band's "classic" because you, like myself, are a mid-30-something who came of age in the Bends/OK Computer era, and because you, unlike myself, have a great deal of reverence for the touchstones of your youth.
But trust me, the Kid A-as-apex phenomenon is a thing. Most early Radiohead fans moved on to safer guitar-centric music long, long ago. Take a poll of the current fanbase, and you'll mostly hear enthusiasm (now curdling into nostalgia) for Radiohead's "middle" period.
Five years from now, Radiohead will be exploring other realms, and younger fans will pine for In Rainbows. This is just what humans do.
16
Sorry for the duplicate posts sandwiching your reply; the typos were haunting me.
Your opinion is totally valid, as would be any opinion on a subjective matter. (I often prefer Amnesiac too, BTW, although I would call it less consistent than Kid A.) My point is that, as bands evolve, fanbases evolve, and individuals evolve, benchmarks of "hit-generating" "classics" tend to evolve as well.
Your opinion is totally valid, as would be any opinion on a subjective matter. (I often prefer Amnesiac too, BTW, although I would call it less consistent than Kid A.) My point is that, as bands evolve, fanbases evolve, and individuals evolve, benchmarks of "hit-generating" "classics" tend to evolve as well.
18
Note to self - don't bother paying for shitty nosebleed seats at Key Arena again. So not worth it.
Note to everyone else in nosebleed seats at Key Arena - sit the fuck down, you selfish motherfuckers. I came here to see the band, not your horrifically malcordinated dancing.
Note to everyone else in nosebleed seats at Key Arena - sit the fuck down, you selfish motherfuckers. I came here to see the band, not your horrifically malcordinated dancing.
19
I can't comment on their Seattle show, but I saw them in Denver and thought they rocked. We sat next to the stage about 15 rows up- not the best for sound, but it was awesome to be able to see them all playing on stage. It is a testament to their skill as a band to be able to recreate their songs on stage.
I've loved Radiohead since I heard Creep in high school, and I'm going to have to go with in rainbows as my favorite album.
If you are a fan of Radiohead and can't see them live- you should check out the radiohead " from the basement " sessions on youtube. There are a couple of hour long shows.
@11 damn that was a long time ago. I think I overdosed on cherry Zima
I've loved Radiohead since I heard Creep in high school, and I'm going to have to go with in rainbows as my favorite album.
If you are a fan of Radiohead and can't see them live- you should check out the radiohead " from the basement " sessions on youtube. There are a couple of hour long shows.
@11 damn that was a long time ago. I think I overdosed on cherry Zima
20
Note to @18 - if you want to see the band, stand the f-ck up and show some enthusiasm! If it's too loud/crowded/far away for you to see, then you may be too old for these types of shows.
21
Saw them at Whiteriver, and they were great with a lot of hits. King of Limbs is good background music as Grant wrote. OK Computer kills Kid A and Amnesiac, is there really a debate on that?
22
Totally disagree. The band seemed a lot more into the Limbs stuff and it showed. Airbag was meh. Magpie was the energetic peak. Bloom. Feral. These songs had me dancing. Too bad all these people that apparently arent nuts about Radiohead paid tons for the ticket andkept the rest of the hardcores away. I guess that's just what happens when a band is so hyped.
23
Radiohead have switched their krautrock allegiance from Can to Faust. I love both, but I'm fine with the change.
24
"These songs had me dancing. Too bad all these people that apparently arent nuts about Radiohead paid tons for the ticket andkept the rest of the hardcores away."
Actually, I was pleasantly surprised at the relatively low price for this show. $60ish bucks for the best seats in the house is practically unheard of these days, at least at an arena show.
Actually, I was pleasantly surprised at the relatively low price for this show. $60ish bucks for the best seats in the house is practically unheard of these days, at least at an arena show.
26
I've seen Radiohead a half dozen times over the past 20 years and have to say last nights show was a disappointment. To be clear, I don't blame this on Radiohead but rather on Key Arena. The acoustics in that place are just absolute s**t and when you have a band like Radiohead who can play some very subtle music it just gets lost and becomes a cacophany. Would have been much nicer to see them play outdoors or at Benaroya. I am happy they didn't play Creep or too much stuff from Hail to... which is my least loved album of theirs. The stuff from KoL held up nicely live, IMO.
27
I think reflection and reviews of the show are quite interesting. I was introduced to the band after their first album and was in the right place at the right time when I saw them at a club in 1996. Who knew they'd get so big?! I had not seen them since and have wanted to see them play (a non-festival show) ever since. I thought the show was amazing.
Was it the best show they've ever done? Who knows? Who cares. IMO, they solidified their position as one of the most proficient, awe inspiring live bands out there.
I'm glad they didn't play the hits. They have so much amazing material to pull from that there's no need to overlook some excellent album tracks just to play songs that we've heard countless times. I was lucky enough to score a GA ticket and was in the front 1/3 of the room center floor and I thought the sound was great considering the venue. FWIW, I typically only attend club shows. It is bullshit that the floor tix cost as much as the nosebleeds. The nosebleeds should def have been cheaper.
To the folks who wanted a different reaction from the crowd: Radiohead is not a party band. The crowd, around me anyway, was great. Not overly obnoxious and talking through the show. Moving, but not bumping into others. All the while, people seemed to be riveted by what was happening on stage. The stage/light show was downright CINEMATIC. In the end, I was struck by how a show with 15K+ people could feel almost intimate. Maybe that's a reflection of where I was standing, but that was my experience. And I loved every fucking minute of it.
Was it the best show they've ever done? Who knows? Who cares. IMO, they solidified their position as one of the most proficient, awe inspiring live bands out there.
I'm glad they didn't play the hits. They have so much amazing material to pull from that there's no need to overlook some excellent album tracks just to play songs that we've heard countless times. I was lucky enough to score a GA ticket and was in the front 1/3 of the room center floor and I thought the sound was great considering the venue. FWIW, I typically only attend club shows. It is bullshit that the floor tix cost as much as the nosebleeds. The nosebleeds should def have been cheaper.
To the folks who wanted a different reaction from the crowd: Radiohead is not a party band. The crowd, around me anyway, was great. Not overly obnoxious and talking through the show. Moving, but not bumping into others. All the while, people seemed to be riveted by what was happening on stage. The stage/light show was downright CINEMATIC. In the end, I was struck by how a show with 15K+ people could feel almost intimate. Maybe that's a reflection of where I was standing, but that was my experience. And I loved every fucking minute of it.
28
"Lucky" was the highlight for me but I agree that the live performance of "Give Up the Ghost" made me a fan of that song. I would kill to have them play OK Computer in its entirety live someday (hey, stranger things have happened so this girl will continue to dream). I would also love for them to add "Down is the New Up" and "India Rubber" to their live repertoire.
At any rate the band was awesome, the lighting was amazing; my only problem with the show was the douchbag security guard posted right in front of us who had no respect for the band or the fans who paid an arm and a leg to see them. Which reminds me, I need to file that complaint...WA-24, I'm coming for you!
At any rate the band was awesome, the lighting was amazing; my only problem with the show was the douchbag security guard posted right in front of us who had no respect for the band or the fans who paid an arm and a leg to see them. Which reminds me, I need to file that complaint...WA-24, I'm coming for you!
29
Lots of comments, lots of opinions. I'll throw mine in as well.
Hits? What hits? OK they have a few songs from the period between Pablo and Amnesiac that the fans prefer over the others but Radiohead is not a band that has ever been about "hits". It reminds of when I was at the White River show and I heard a guy ask, in all earnestness, "Do you think they'll play 'Creep'?" I had to walk away to keep from either punching him in the face or at least dressing him down for both ignoring arguably the most important musical act of the last 20 years and taking a ticket a way from a real fan who has been following them for that entire time.
I understand feeling nostalgic for certain songs or a certain period but if you've followed and listened to Radiohead (as it seems everyone here has) you would have had to have expected that the majority of the show would come from Limbs and Rainbows. It did and they fucking KILLED IT! I can promise you that no one near me was yawning. We were too busy dancing (to Radiohead!! Who knew that could happen? Thank you Clive Deamer!) I thought White River was great but this blew that show away! The thing that amazes me is that a band that first came to prominence 20 years ago and has made such timeless and classic music seems to have still not peaked. I think Limbs and Rainbows are as good as anything they have ever released and I actually like them better than Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief. The other thing was the way they were able to take the spare minimalist compositions of the two most recent albums and expand them to give them a sound that was big enough for a room that size.
Similarly to Baby Blue, I'd love to hear The Bends or OK Computer but what I like even better than that is knowing that my favorite band will never become complacent and satisfied with rehashing the same old musical tropes. They will continue to reinvent themselves and if the past is any indicator of the future there is still much more greatness to come.
More...
Hits? What hits? OK they have a few songs from the period between Pablo and Amnesiac that the fans prefer over the others but Radiohead is not a band that has ever been about "hits". It reminds of when I was at the White River show and I heard a guy ask, in all earnestness, "Do you think they'll play 'Creep'?" I had to walk away to keep from either punching him in the face or at least dressing him down for both ignoring arguably the most important musical act of the last 20 years and taking a ticket a way from a real fan who has been following them for that entire time.
I understand feeling nostalgic for certain songs or a certain period but if you've followed and listened to Radiohead (as it seems everyone here has) you would have had to have expected that the majority of the show would come from Limbs and Rainbows. It did and they fucking KILLED IT! I can promise you that no one near me was yawning. We were too busy dancing (to Radiohead!! Who knew that could happen? Thank you Clive Deamer!) I thought White River was great but this blew that show away! The thing that amazes me is that a band that first came to prominence 20 years ago and has made such timeless and classic music seems to have still not peaked. I think Limbs and Rainbows are as good as anything they have ever released and I actually like them better than Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief. The other thing was the way they were able to take the spare minimalist compositions of the two most recent albums and expand them to give them a sound that was big enough for a room that size.
Similarly to Baby Blue, I'd love to hear The Bends or OK Computer but what I like even better than that is knowing that my favorite band will never become complacent and satisfied with rehashing the same old musical tropes. They will continue to reinvent themselves and if the past is any indicator of the future there is still much more greatness to come.
30
Lots of comments, lots of opinions. I'll throw mine in as well.
Hits? What hits? OK they have a few songs from the period between Pablo and Amnesiac that the fans prefer over the others but Radiohead is not a band that has ever been about "hits". It reminds of when I was at the White River show and I heard a guy ask, in all earnestness, "Do you think they'll play 'Creep'?" I had to walk away to keep from either punching him in the face or at least dressing him down for both ignoring arguably the most important musical act of the last 20 years and taking a ticket a way from a real fan who has been following them for that entire time.
I understand feeling nostalgic for certain songs or a certain period but if you've followed and listened to Radiohead (as it seems everyone here has) you would have had to have expected that the majority of the show would come from Limbs and Rainbows. It did and they fucking KILLED IT! I can promise you that no one near me was yawning. We were too busy dancing (to Radiohead!! Who knew that could happen? Thank you Clive Deamer!) I thought White River was great but this blew that show away! The thing that amazes me is that a band that first came to prominence 20 years ago and has made such timeless and classic music seems to have still not peaked. I think Limbs and Rainbows are as good as anything they have ever released and I actually like them better than Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief. The other thing was the way they were able to take the spare minimalist compositions of the two most recent albums and expand them to give them a sound that was big enough for a room that size.
Similarly to Baby Blue, I'd love to hear The Bends or OK Computer but what I like even better than that is knowing that my favorite band will never become complacent and satisfied with rehashing the same old musical tropes. They will continue to reinvent themselves and if the past is any indicator of the future there is still much more greatness to come.
More...
Hits? What hits? OK they have a few songs from the period between Pablo and Amnesiac that the fans prefer over the others but Radiohead is not a band that has ever been about "hits". It reminds of when I was at the White River show and I heard a guy ask, in all earnestness, "Do you think they'll play 'Creep'?" I had to walk away to keep from either punching him in the face or at least dressing him down for both ignoring arguably the most important musical act of the last 20 years and taking a ticket a way from a real fan who has been following them for that entire time.
I understand feeling nostalgic for certain songs or a certain period but if you've followed and listened to Radiohead (as it seems everyone here has) you would have had to have expected that the majority of the show would come from Limbs and Rainbows. It did and they fucking KILLED IT! I can promise you that no one near me was yawning. We were too busy dancing (to Radiohead!! Who knew that could happen? Thank you Clive Deamer!) I thought White River was great but this blew that show away! The thing that amazes me is that a band that first came to prominence 20 years ago and has made such timeless and classic music seems to have still not peaked. I think Limbs and Rainbows are as good as anything they have ever released and I actually like them better than Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief. The other thing was the way they were able to take the spare minimalist compositions of the two most recent albums and expand them to give them a sound that was big enough for a room that size.
Similarly to Baby Blue, I'd love to hear The Bends or OK Computer but what I like even better than that is knowing that my favorite band will never become complacent and satisfied with rehashing the same old musical tropes. They will continue to reinvent themselves and if the past is any indicator of the future there is still much more greatness to come.
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