Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Photos by Susan Pfannmuller/Special to The Star
As a touring band, Radiohead is nearly imperiled by its own reputation. Fans who have seen them before expect the same level of bliss they’ve experienced at previous shows. Fans seeing the band for the first time are given every reason to walk into a show with sky-high expectations. Yet, Radiohead continues to satisfy nearly everyone.
By most measures, this show passed even the strictest muster. The visuals were stimulating; the sound was clear; the crowd was mesmerized; and the setlist was -- well, that’s certainly open for discussion and probably subject to everyone’s expectations. It was built primarily for the hardcore fans and the insiders or for anyone who just wanted to be there and soak up the transcendence.
It included the obscure “Supercollider,” a Record Store Day single from 2011, and several of the band’s more downtempo and ambient songs. There was no “Karma Police” or “No Surprises,” no “Fake Plastic Trees,” no “Knives Out.” It included one song from “Amnesiac,” two off the excellent “Hail to the Thief” album but more than half of “The King of Limbs,” the band’s latest album and one of its least dynamic. The song choices affected the mood -- Sunday’s show was measurably mellower than Friday’s in St. Louis -- but that seemed to have little affect on the Sprint Center crowd, which was on its feet all night, watching and swaying, greeting each intro with a roar, singing-along to several songs and submitting to the evening’s slow-burning radiance.
No matter the setlist, Radiohead delivers some standard goods at every show: a tide of crescendos, climaxes and afterglows; bedlams of riffs and grooves; rabbles of percussion and electronic noise; barrages of shifting rhythms and odd time measures. It’s all topped with warm gusts of melody and Thom Yorke’s supernal voice, which is as elemental to Radiohead’s inimitable sound as any other component – another discrete instrument adding texture and color to its mosaic.
That was all embellished by a splendid light and video show. The stage was backed by an enormous two-panel screen that changed colors and surfaces all night. Suspended from the ceiling were 12 large video screens that tilted on a both axes, broadcasting live images of the band via small remote cameras on stage.
They opened with “Bloom,” the fidgety, enervated track that opens “Limbs,” then the funky and jaunty “15 Step.” The mood turned particularly lambent during the back-to-back renditions of “All I Need” and “Pyramid Song,” two lovely, mournful hymns. Before “The Daily Mail,” Ed O’Brien made a crack about Rupert Murdoch. Before “Supercollider,” Yorke warned fans they probably weren't too familiar with it. Before “Identikit,” he said something about it being a “random day,” then the band took a mulligan after somebody muffed his drum part. For part of “There There,” four drummers were on stage: O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood, pounding floor toms, along with drummers Phil Selway and Clive Deamer.
Their two encores comprised seven songs -- nearly one-third of the show and its best third. It included the raucous and grimy “Myxomatosis,” the electro-funky “Idioteque” and then the arena-sized anthem “Lucky,” which ignited the most evangelical sing-along of the night. Some people raised both arms as they sang, others reared back their heads and sang heavenward.
It’s easy to get cynical or at least jaded about live music when you see bands mailing in the same songs and setlists night after night. Judging people’s reaction to a live show is no science; it’s nothing but inference. But the best live shows reveal the deepest power of music and songs, which arouse in its listeners something spiritual or something primal, like the urge to dance and cry out lyrics, in unison, in public.
They closed with something old and familiar, “Paranoid Android,” but the perfect Radiohead closer for me would be “Exit Music (For a Film),” which includes the lyric, “Today we escape, we escape.” Because that’s what I’ve witnessed at all three Radiohead shows I’ve attended: thousands of people expressing the joy in letting a favorite band take them, all at once, to a place that is both visceral and divine.
Setlist: Bloom; 15 Step; Morning Mr. Magpie; Weird Fishes/Arpeggi; All I Need; Pyramid Song; The Daily Mail; Supercollider; Nude; Identikit; Lotus Flower; There There; Feral; How To Disappear Completely; Reckoner. Encores: Separator; Myxomatosis; Idioteque; Lucky; Everything In Its Right Place; Give Up the Ghost; Paranoid Android.
| Timothy Finn, The Star
Spirit Street was listed as the last song on the setlist. Did they not play it?
Posted by: NCTRNL | March 12, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Fantastic review Tim! The Radioheadlive twitter feed said that they were supposed to play Street Spirit, but I guess they opted not to.
Posted by: Tori | March 12, 2012 at 11:51 AM
As you know, not my cup of tea, but based on the picture above, it looks like Thom's working on his Planet of the Apes starter kit.
Posted by: wadkc | March 12, 2012 at 11:55 AM
they did not play street spirit they audibled. played myxo instead and dropped a song.
Posted by: Tim Finn | March 12, 2012 at 11:59 AM
"But the best live shows reveal the deepest power of music and songs, which arouse in its listeners something spiritual or something primal, like the urge to dance and cry out lyrics, in unison, in public."
Well said Tim!
Posted by: onthemark | March 12, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Holy shit, TF, that review was so gushy, my screen got moist.
Not my thing either, but sounds like the fans got what they wanted and that's what's important.
Posted by: pellboy | March 12, 2012 at 12:16 PM
"But the best live shows reveal the deepest power of music and songs, which arouse in its listeners something spiritual or something primal, like the urge to dance and cry out lyrics, in unison, in public."
Sounds like the fans at most the shows they go to. Whether it be N'Sync, Adele or Tool.
The Rolling Stones said it the best "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out"
Posted by: wadkc | March 12, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Before “Supercollider,” Yorke warned fans they probably wasn’t too familiar with it.
Guess you meant to say "were not" unless it's a direct quote.
Otherwise, good review, wish I had gone.
Posted by: djkevin | March 12, 2012 at 12:49 PM
My 3rd show too, and favorite one. Just amazing stage production and execution of the songs. Great show. I was pretty burned out on Radiohead going into that one, and came out sort of revitalized about 'em.
Posted by: MINI BARF | March 12, 2012 at 01:51 PM
lol "my screen got moist"
mine too.
great review...wish we had someone to give reviews like this in dallas.
Posted by: thom's baby mama | March 12, 2012 at 03:02 PM
Really liked the Radiohead concert and TF's review of it. Yorke and co. displayed why they are one of the best groups to come out of the '90s. Great vocals and great musicianship make for a great band and both were on display in KC last night.
Posted by: H | March 12, 2012 at 04:20 PM
One of the best ten shows I've seen! I actually thought the sound in the Sprint center was phenomenal! And the way they retooled TKOL and IR for a live setting was great!
Pyramid Song was the best though. :D
Posted by: mankvill | March 12, 2012 at 04:45 PM
Any word on how the ticketless system worked out?
Posted by: Druggist 2K | March 12, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Glad I didn't go considering they didn't play anything from the Bends; by far their greatest album. They got too experimental for my taste after OK Computer.
Posted by: TellingItLikeItIs | March 12, 2012 at 05:59 PM
There's something to be said about following one's artistic vision. There's also something to be said for playing a couple of hits from a top notch album like "The Bends" when people shell out $ to see you. I'm glad McCartney wasn't averse to playing a little Beatles and Wings when he came around, though of course his output from the last three years is by far his best.
Posted by: BBaum | March 12, 2012 at 08:28 PM
First of all, EPIC show, despite the following circumstances.
My girlfriend and I arrived at the Grand St. entrance, and were told to "go to the left" upon entering to get our "paperless" tickets. This area to the left was a long line leading to a single office door. We were flabbergasted that thousands of tickets would be remitted from one door, and our suspicions were confirmed when we got to the front and were told that the line was only for those who had paperless tickets, and had lost their credit card. We could have walked right up to the ticket takers like everyone else.
The woman swiped my girfriend's credit card without looking at it or our ID, and printed out a slip of paper with our seat location on them. So, to those who experience this in the future, as long as you have the credit card, you're likely okay. But maybe our lady wasn't too particular.
We were seated in section 108, stage left. We arrived and were told that we had to go to Guest Services to see if we had been reseated. Huh? First we had heard of it. We go, wait in line for another 15 minutes (Other Lives were two songs in by this point) and were told that our seats were fine. We go back to the section and found our seats, and well, I understood why they moved most of the section.
The view was obstructed by cables, a mesh curtain, speakers, speaker stands, and rope ladders. Two seats to our left, the rest of the row and every seat behind us was roped off. I guess if we were 72 inches left, our seats would have been unacceptable. Blah.
I get that they likely didn't know how everything would be laid out until they set up the stage, but it was ridiculous, and I'm sure they told the ushers that anyone in section 108 needed to go to Guest Services, because the line was easily 25 people deep when we arrived and when we left.
What bugs me even more is that they opened up floor seats in the days before the show, and sold those to people who were clamoring for a ticket, instead of giving them to us, who were there the instant tickets went on sale.
Oh well, at least Thom Yorke flailed around enough so we could see him in between all of the equipment.
Posted by: Stevo | March 12, 2012 at 08:40 PM
Great show, great review. The sound was the best I've heard out of the ten shows I've seen at Sprint Center. We rolled in at 8 pm, got through the paperless ticket deal (from which we received...little paper tickets) in about twenty seconds, and overall had a great night. My ONLY complaint was that there were so many cables and laptops and pianos and pedalboards strewn across the stage that it seemed that after every song the minions had to rearrange everything and it slowed the show down a bit. I love it when bands merge one song into another during live shows, and this felt a little start-stop. Pyramid Song, How to Disapper, Lucky, all were high points. Worth the wait!
Posted by: Dave | March 12, 2012 at 09:38 PM
...""so many cables and laptops and pianos and pedalboards strewn across the stage""....
That pretty much sums up the root of the problem with the souless sounds eminated from todays souless bands creating their boring tide of crescendos, climaxes and afterglows; bedlams of riffs and grooves; rabbles of percussion and electronic noise; barrages of shifting rhythms and odd time measures, also known as aka souless, boring crap.
Posted by: Mark Randall | March 12, 2012 at 09:50 PM
I'm on the fence with the Radiohead show last night, first off, the band was great, I think a lot of it had to do with the venue, it's so hard to get into a show at the Sprint Center. I didn't love the set list either, it was heavy on the newer material, with so many albums it's got to be tough putting a list together each night, plus everyone wants something different, all and all it was good but the 2008 STL show blew this one away.
Posted by: Green | March 12, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Druggist 2K, I'm also glad you didn't go to the show; this band didn't get to where they are by re-treading familiar territory. Dave, if you could've heard Thom Yorke's endlessly expressive voice that night, "souless" would've been the absolute last word on your mind. Feel free not to comment on this life-defining concert if you weren't there.
Posted by: McNeil | March 13, 2012 at 06:00 PM
"life-defining concert"?? LOL!!!! Really? man, your life must suck.
Posted by: Doug | March 13, 2012 at 09:10 PM
Hey that was Mark that said "souless" not me haha. I loved the show, my point was that rearranging the stage so frequently took some momentum out of the show. And if anyone has one of the limited edition t-shirts in XL, let me know!
Posted by: Dave | March 13, 2012 at 10:11 PM
I would have to say that Sunday Night's show was one of the 2 best that I've seen at Sprint. I went into the show with no expectation, setlist wise, and I couldn't have been happier with what I got. The sound was incredible, and I think with bands like Radiohead, you go to here an amazing band do what they do best. I was completely blown away and can't wait to see what they come up with next.
Posted by: Big Patty | March 13, 2012 at 10:46 PM
From Green Day to Paul McCartney to Givinghead, oops I mean Radiohead, it sure doesnt take much to get someone around here to post "BEST SHOW I EVER SAW!!"
Posted by: Roger Hendershot | March 14, 2012 at 05:17 AM
Having gone to concerts and club shows for more than 30 years, I said and still vouch for the fact that McCartney's show at the Sprint Center a couple of years ago WAS one of the best shows I've ever seen. Each person is different, except, of course, for YOU, dump troll. You never go to shows and amazingly have all kinds of opinions here. Sad....
Posted by: El Oso | March 14, 2012 at 03:58 PM
Nice play of words with the handle, El Oso.
Posted by: hamster | March 14, 2012 at 08:28 PM
How silly is lil onthemarcia?
constantly posting trolling remarks and changing her name while bashing on others for the exact same thing, what a joke. Actually, what an idiot.
Posted by: mirror mirror | March 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM
I'm not Onthemark, and you need to get a job or a hobby, DT. You are a colossal bore and ruin this blog for everyone. What joy does this bring your life?? Seriously. Just go away...I dare ya! Now, back to the program already in progress....
Posted by: El Oso | March 15, 2012 at 08:08 AM
SUUuuuuure youre not... STFU idiot.
onthemarcia, you have been whining the same story for years. You are so obvious. Let people post what they want, you stupid little girl.
Posted by: mirror mirror | March 15, 2012 at 09:06 AM
"Let people post what they want...."
Yeah, that's what this blog needs. You going on ENDLESSLY about "pussy mellowfests," like a broken record. In YOUR case, I'm starting to think censorship in not such a bad thing. You add nothing here. Give us an opinion about ANYTHING that doesn't insult anyone, or again, just go away. Start your own blog that nobody wants to read. Find a friend. Lord knows you could use one...
Posted by: El Oso | March 15, 2012 at 09:37 AM
"How silly is lil onthemarcia?
constantly posting trolling remarks and changing her name while bashing on others for the exact same thing, what a joke. Actually, what an idiot"
Hey DT, what was that you said the other day? That you never attack the poster, just the content? I guess that sort of a loose and fast rule, huh?
Posted by: NEW | March 15, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Walter/DT, you silly goose!
I am flattered that you think I am the one who is posting, but that is not the case. Just because someone uses proper grammar and spells correctly does not mean it is me. Many posters have those exact same attributes.
Paranoid much? Do you peep out thru your blinds looking for those ominous black helicopters circling overhead with the dreaded OTM insignia on the side?
To quote your phrase, I am ROTFLMAO!
I will make it real simple for ya. You will know it is me commenting when you see Posted by: onthemark
Carry on.
Posted by: onthemark | March 15, 2012 at 11:37 AM
So you two think that wanna be censors are less disruptive than someone just posting comments?
Let people post what they want, but if/when someone wants to be an ahole, then no holds barred.
Posted by: Jack | March 15, 2012 at 11:56 AM
I would have guessed someone who loves pussified mellow fests and going to that stinking hippy love-in dump, crossroadskc, would be all happy to be mellow and allow people to post without getting so uptight.
oh well, I guess bitchy mellow fest fans are not all that mellow after all. Maybe it is the too much talking and overly loud clapping when pussys are trying to focus on the soft sounds of their lame music, it has made them angry.
btw- I have never heard anyone complain about talking or loud clapping at a real rock show.
Posted by: Jack | March 15, 2012 at 12:07 PM
sounds like somebody got their feelings hurt
Posted by: poor widdle jack | March 15, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Wanna be censors? Where do you get that? I am on record as stating feel free to post your opinion.
What I DO ask is that you do so in a civil manner. That is not censorship, just being polite. In other words, be nice.
Is that too much to ask?
Posted by: onthemark | March 15, 2012 at 01:25 PM
You and your trying to be a boss posts take the conversation far more OT than anyone else. You are doing more of what you are asking others to stop doing than anyone else and you are accomplishing nothing.
Maybe you should start your own board so you can be in charge and stop telling, asking or requesting anything from anybody here about how they should act or post.
Go start your own blog or become a prison guard or something.
Posted by: poor widdle jack | March 15, 2012 at 01:59 PM
See? You stated your case without vulgarity or name calling. Clearly I am a positive influence on you!
Now, was that so difficult?
Posted by: onthemark | March 15, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Geeezus, you really are fkg dipsht onthemarcia. Just a stupid little girl.
Posted by: Jack | March 15, 2012 at 04:14 PM
So sorry that my reasonable attitude and use of logic is so hard for you to grasp. Perhaps I can make it up to you by buying you a waaahburger?
By the way, when people feel they are losing or have nothing of substance or in their defense to say, they resort to name calling. It is childish, as are they, and it says more about them than the person on the receiving end.
Have a good day.
Posted by: onthemark | March 15, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Nah, when it comes to DT/Jack, I'm all for censorship....Why he wasn't 86-ed from this blog months ago is a disappointment and mystery to me. He just doesn't belong here. Period.
Posted by: El Oso | March 15, 2012 at 05:07 PM
There goes onthemarcia changing her name again, going ot, again. What a loser, whining her head off about things she does worse than anyone.
Good job burying the original topic moron, and you whine about others? LMAO!!!
Posted by: Jack | March 15, 2012 at 10:00 PM
..."losing or have nothing of substance or in their defense to say, they resort to name calling."
HUH???
Losing what?
This is not an argument, this is you being a bitchy little girl, trying to tell people what to do, how to act and when and where they can post... and this is me telling you to go fk yourself you idiot.
Dang those mellow fests have scrambled your already small brain.
Posted by: Jack | March 15, 2012 at 10:05 PM
Sure thing Jack/Walter/DT, whatever you say. But I only posted in response to YOU calling ME out, remember? Talk about scrambled brains.
By the way, you look very nice in your clown suit!
Posted by: onthemark | March 16, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Yaaaaaaawn, you are accomplishing nothing here. You can not make people stop posting, no matter how nasty you are, and dont play this BS that you dont post under different names, your style is your style no matter which name you use. At least I dont lie about it. I am not a liar.
Posted by: Jake | March 16, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Sure thing Jake/Jack/Walter/DT, you go right on believing I am the ONLY one who responds to your idiotic posts.
As for your claim to not be a liar, tell us some more about those 3,000 or was it 4,000 concerts you have attended?
I am guessing your clown suit was custom made as it fits you SO well!
Have a super day!
Posted by: onthemark | March 16, 2012 at 09:22 AM
"Nah, when it comes to DT/Jack, I'm all for censorship"
Oh come on El Oso. DTs bipolarity/schizophenia and self contradictions has provided us with many paragraphs of endless entertainment. This blog would be really boring without him. I for one look forward to his next post.
Posted by: NEW | March 16, 2012 at 09:33 AM
Same here NEW. His posts are frequently irritating, generally incoherent, usually contradictory but always entertaining!
I know I shouldn't mess with him like I do, but it is just so dang much fun. Sometimes, I just can't help myself...
Posted by: onthemark | March 16, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Lets talk about what a crap hole the crossroadskc is.
That dump has not made an improvement in years. They have stinking, overflowing porta potties as bathrooms at a permanent location in the middle of the city?? what the heck is that all about?
They have saw dust and wood chips as a floor? In the city? What are they thinking?
How does the city of KCMO allow this crap to continue? It would be one thing if it was one or two shows a year, but crossroadskc holds it self to be a permannt location, when will they act like it?
Posted by: Sammy | March 16, 2012 at 10:56 AM
I am just glad to see only lower quality bands playing the crossroadskc dump this year.
It seems word has properly spread from artists like Elvis Costello to Cinderella that playing this crap hole known as crossroadskc is just a bad bad idea.
In the heat of a KC summer you will fry. In the freezing KC weather it is too cold to have fun.
When it rains the fans are soaked. When lightning strikes they (have had to) stop (several) shows, because of the garbage dump type of metal fences surrounding this pig pen venue.
Posted by: Blake | March 16, 2012 at 11:03 AM