Radiohead

Radiohead - Smiling and Snarling

Whatever Radiohead do they can’t win. Staying true to their anti-capitalist stance they honorably shut their WASTE merchandising tent before their performance – everyone who wants a Radiohead shirt has one by now right? But the pressure and hype that is piled on their shoulders is something that Thom Yorke is particularly uncomfortable with, thus he deals with this rapt audience with an ironic smirk, not sure whether to belie the adrenalin pumping through his veins.

Adrenalin was certainly pumping as when their opening song ‘There There’ finally broke its moorings and slammed jagged slices of guitar at the crowd. More songs from new album ‘Hail To The Thief’ followed and they are already sounding like well-worn classics, having been road tested for roughly a year.

Playing their hits is something that they do well, but for such a great bunch of musicians they almost make it look too easy, with No Surprises being an example of the band in cruise control. Kid A and Amnesiac had a rough ride as CDs but the music played live is in a different league – the throbbing electronica of 'Everything In It’s Right Place' had Thom jerking around like a rag doll raver coming up on a rush. Thom was in excellent mood and his cheeky quips between songs (“Hash for cash”) belied the anguished screams of We Suck Young Blood from the new record once again.

When 'Paranoid Android' arrives it’s time for more crowd-pleasing anthems, Johnny Greenwood strutting his stuff on guitar after having spent most of the set on sampler and keyboards, Selway’s drumming continually spectacular as well. Coming back for two encores, the first an amazing version of 'Karma Police', which united the crowd for some more cathartic choruses with Thom.

Finally closing with 'Street Spirit', this was a set that managed to balance all points on the Radiohead compass, showing where they have come from and where they’re going – and is perhaps best summed up by Thom’s own words: “It’s been a lovely day," he said, confirming what everyone had been thinking – this is one of the best Glastonburys ever.

Mike Flynn

News Stories

• Mendip District Council say Glastonbury 2003 Was Very Successful
• Jools Holland Extravaganza
• TV Ratings Up, Up, Up
• Michael's Sunday Press Conference
• Glastonbury Extravaganza A Sell Out
• Thank you everyone
• Crime Substantially Down
• A New Beginning For Glastonbury Festival

General Links

• Official Site News
• News & Features from The Guardian
• Extravaganza
• Search