Live: Radiohead @ Cruzan Amphitheatre

ARTICLE BY PAULA GONZALEZ
PHOTO BY BEN SAUNDERS

MAY 5 | WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—My friend Heather couldn’t have put it a better way, “I’m going to have a titty attack!” Well, what she really meant to say was that she was beyond excited about Radiohead’s show. West Palm Beach, Fla., became the launch site for the band’s U.S. tour, and we were going to be the first in line to see one of the greatest bands of our time. As Liars played their opening set, most of us killed time wondering what song Radiohead would start with? How many encores? Will we hear “Karma Police”? And at the same time, we were ooohing and ahhhing over the stage set up, wondering what the hell Radiohead would come up with.

At 9 p.m. exactly Radiohead got on stage to thousands of us cheering our lungs off. Finally, the band responsible for In Rainbows was going to play live. Radiohead began with “All I Need.” Was that the best choice? It’s hard to say, because it’s such a beautiful song and has such a powerful message.

Most of us were still reacting to Radiohead being in front of us (well, if we squinted our eyes, yes, we could see them). Next was “Bodysnatchers,” and here’s where Radiohead showed off their stage, which featured a very bright, colorful rainbow light setting with full-bold colors and large screens in the background for each member. Wow. Wow. Wow. Of course, Radiohead couldn’t leave out songs from their previous albums, including “There There,” “Idioteque,” “How to Disappear Completely,” “Where I End And You Begin” and “Airbag.” The band never failed to satisfy those wanting to hear their favorite song. And better yet, to see Thom Yorke break down some dance moves is always amusing.

But more importantly were the In Rainbows songs, because for many of us, this was the first time hearing them live. “Reckoner,” “Nude,” “15 Step” and “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” each had their own color set, and each sounded beautiful. But one song stood out from all the rest and possibly left many of us breathless, speechless, in a night daze and in a wow state. The song was “Videotape.” How can I describe it? Basically, now when I listen to it, the song has a different sensation. In an interview with Rolling Stone, some members of Radiohead wanted “Videotape” to be the first track on the album. But it ended up as the last song on the album, and Radiohead closed their set with this song.

During the band’s first of two encores, Jonny Greenwood and Thom performed an acoustic set for “Faust Arp,” which I don’t recall seeing at other Radiohead concerts I’ve been to. It was interesting to hear this song taken out of its formal setting. Radiohead ended the night with “House of Cards” and “Street Spirit.”

It’s hard to say as a writer, but I’m at a loss for words to describe this concert. All I know is that this specific show has left quite an imprint on me, which I didn’t realize until two days after, as I was listening to In Rainbows. It hit me right there. Can you describe that feeling?

Of course, the aftermath of a Radiohead concert is also fun, as people bought shirts, talked about their favorite song, said oohhhs and ahhhs and fucking awesome. We had fun along with dozens of other fans following a guy dressed as the Kid A bear. We had to take a picture and feel slightly sorry for the guy under the polyester suit.

Either way, as you wait for Radiohead to come to your town, or if you still have to wait a couple of months for the second leg of their U.S. tour, keep this in mind: They are a fucking awesome band; they are one of the best bands of our time; and yes, this is a concert worth going to. Especially for the aftermath.

Important Information:
• Radiohead began exactly at 9 p.m. (set times might differ in other states, but be aware)
• No use of the venue’s big screens (lawn ticket peeps: take binoculars or you’re going to be squinting)
• T-shirts are $40. We only saw black t-shirts with In Rainbows lettering of phrases
• Water bottles are $25. They are fancy water bottles.
• Posters are $10 with three different designs

Set List:
All I Need
Bodysnatchers
There There
Reckoner
The Gloaming
Morning Bell
Nude
How to Disappear Completely
15 Step
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Idioteque
Bulletproof (I Wish I Was)
Where I End and You Begin
Airbag
Everything In Its Right Place
The National Anthem
Videotape

Encore 1
Optimistic
Just
Faust Arp (Acoustic)
Exit Music
Bangers & Mash

Encore 2
House of Cards
Street Spirit
##

Comments

[cheryl]

Nice review Paula. I want to be the Kid A bear for Halloween. :)

[Bryan Sensei]

wow, bulletproof...glad to see they dusted that one off.

Kid A-Bear-Suit-Person gets vaulted to the top of my list of heroes if s/he shows up to a job interview in that thing.

as anthony once said to dignan: "you gotta get me one of those suits".

[maribel]

Great review - I'm so excited for the Hollywood Bowl!

[mychelle]

sigh. i have to miss them in st. louis this week (thanks, work). will my giddy anticipation carry me through to lolla? and more importantly, will the bear suit man be there in the 100+ degree weather?

[paulag]

radiohead will always be in your heart. thanks everyone, this was a great concert and just to think i almost didnt make it for some stupid reason, but it was worth it.

[Jenny]

Nice article paula!!!