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Radiohead

live in East Troy, WI
2003
live show

Review by: relay1112
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Published on August 29th 2003

Rating: 9.8

Radiohead don't come to America very often -- maybe once a record release -- and they certainly don't traverse the Midwest to East Troy, Wisconsin on a regular basis. But tonight, here they were, one of the greatest bands in the world, gracing the hills of Alpine Valley. The hill acts as a natural amphitheater and most of the "seating" is actually a grassy area where most stand and dance (awkwardly). The outdoor setting was perfect for the event -- what better way to enjoy a sunset than listening to "Where I End and You Begin"?

Radiohead opened the night with a couplet of songs from Hail to the Thief: "2 2=5" and "Sit Down. Stand Up." The explosive finales got most of the white-boy crowd to partake in either some circular hippy-dancing or awkward head-bobbing. They continued the night by playing some of their favorites: "Paranoid Android," "Just," "Street Spirit (Fade Out)," "There There," "Fake Plastic Trees," "Idioteque" and "Karma Police." As noticed by most people who should've left their ticket for someone who likes post-Pablo Honey Radiohead, "Creep" was left off of the set list. Critics and fans alike have commented repeatedly on Radiohead's apparent self-consciousness; they recorded one of the best albums of all-time in OK Computer and then completely trashed the idea to create a reaction to that album in Kid A. It worked, but what if it hadn't? Radiohead was sick of being Radiohead, so they duped their fans (especially the mainstream ones, the "Karma Police fans") by creating a record that would rarely see airplay. It's also evident in some of their commentary that this is a band that has some problems with identity. But tonight, they were not self-conscious in any right. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood rocked out on songs that weren't even upbeat ("Sail to the Moon"), his long hair flying everywhere and making for a great slow-mo movie for the big-screens. Drummer Phil Selway jazzed up almost every song with a more active drumbeat than in the album cuts, happily bouncing his bald head behind the matching cymbals. Bassist Colin Greenwood even partook in a few jigs of his own. But the show belonged to one man: Thom Yorke. Yorke danced like I've never seen a short, skinny, lazy-eyed Brit dance before. He break-danced, he shuffled, he shook, he swayed; he did anything he could to keep the music going. At times he reached out to the crowd for their participation, and at times he put up his arms, directing the orchestra behind him.

For the first hour of the set, Thom said exactly three things: "Thanks," "Thank you," and "Thank you very much." Later, however, he warmed up and even told a few jokes; for example, "This is a song about peace, love, and all that bullshit -- we're really just hippies with short hair" in reference to "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" and "This is a dirty song for dirty people" for "Myxamatosis." The highlight of the night, however, came in two parts: first, Thom was given the grand piano for the first song in the first encore, "You and Whose Army?" As he played and sang the provocative lines of the song, "Come one, come all / you think you drive me crazy / you and whose army? / you and your cronies," he raised his eyebrows into the fish-lens camera in a comical attempt to provoke the audience. He was making a caricature; he was mocking himself. Self-aware, but hardly self-conscious. The second highlight was during "Idioteque." Yorke danced furiously, running in circles around his band mates at one time, break dancing at another. It takes balls to do that in the comfort of your own home, much less in front of thousands of watching people. He single-handedly got almost the entire crowd moving -- quite an accomplishment, considering some of the people there (nerds, nerds, nerds).

Everyone has their perception of the entity that is Radiohead, but Radiohead convinced everyone -- for at least two hours -- to just dance and enjoy the music. After an hour and half of music and then two encores, Yorke and co. had complete control over thousands of people, armed only with sheer musical honesty and earnestness. One of the most famous bands in the world played East Troy, Wisconsin like it was their hometown of Oxford, and for their brilliant energy, they will forever have my respect.

10.0 -- Flawless
9.5-9.9 -- Nearly perfect
9.0-9.4 -- Essential
8.5-8.9 -- Spectacular
8.0-8.4 -- Highly recommended
7.5-7.9 -- Impressive
7.0-7.4 -- Very solid
6.5-6.9 -- Consistent, but not without its flaws
6.0-6.4 -- Enjoyable
5.5-5.9 -- Better than average; not many standout qualities
5.0-5.4 -- Nothing special, but nice enough
4.0-4.9 -- Listenable; only a few enjoyable moments
3.0-3.9 -- Not worth the price
2.0-2.9 -- Pitiful
1.0-1.9 -- Terrifying
0.1-0.9 -- Redefines awful
0.0 -- Avoid it like the plague

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 5, 2003 at 2:18 AM (EDT)
My Score:

some of you are stupid and should forfeit the right to give an opinion in public. this comment in particular:

"This stuff is for sheep. Just dumb music for fake smart people."

see, here's the thing. it's ok not to like radiohead, not your cup of tea whatever. the problem comes when you make stupid, ignorant comments based on your limited attention span and that self-inflicted punk rock chip on your shoulder. listen to OK Computer, seriously listen to it. now i'm no radiohead superfan, but i think anyone with any sort of appreciation for music would be lying to themselves if they didn't think that it is a masterfully crafted album. just listen to it and stop worrying about your fucking image. just for once in your stupid little highschool lives, listen to music for the music.

there will always be some snot-nosed 15 year old kid that thinks he has this all-knowing musical perception that surpasses that of musicians, critics, and other people that actually know what they're talking about. for you're own sake, don't be that kid.

-waste

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 5, 2003 at 12:55 AM (EDT)
My Score:

i caught their show in NJ and it was possibly the best live set ive ever seen. i cant wait til the NYC show in october.

and to the people so narrow-minded to question as to why radiohead is reviewed on a "punk" site...
think about this: radiohead is more ideologically (and, arguably, musically) punk than 99% of the three-chord bands in the "underground." they consistently make intelligent, politically/socially aware music that challenges people to question authorities and the norms in society and stop living boring lives for the sake of convenience. They consistently release records that push the boundaries of what they've already done, instead of rehashing the same rock anthems they already know they can settle back and make millions off of. They're constantly evolving. So what if theyre on a major label? So was the Clash, a band that most punkers will worship. Oh, and the Clash also pushed their own musical bounds on every release and experimented. And they tried to make people more politically/socially conscious. I honestly believe that Radiohead embodies the spirit of punk rock way more than most "punk" bands. hell, after "amnesiac", they booked their own US tour at national parks just to avoid clear channel. they didnt HAVE to, they could have taken the easy route and been complacent, but they didnt. whatever. i'm rambling.

Best band currently playing music.

Posted by dignin on 2003-09-03 00:57:48
My Score:

oh, BSD you never got around to naming bands radiohead sounds like, so please keep your thoughtless comments too yourself if you cant back them up

Posted by dignin on 2003-09-02 22:02:05
My Score:

"and i don't think you can call radiohead one of the most famous bands in the world."

I would, especially cause their a lot bigger in europe then here

Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-09-02 20:26:19
My Score:

Why not?

Posted by rightcliqificus on 2003-09-02 15:09:31
My Score:

and i don't think you can call radiohead one of the most famous bands in the world.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 11:44 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Suck mah balz

Posted by dignin on 2003-09-02 00:55:54
My Score:

if by retarded you mean great voice, great live performer, and a lazy eye, the Im with you

Posted by rightcliqificus on 2003-09-02 00:11:22
My Score:

radiohead is way better than rancid, but that doesn't make either of them punk.. one band is all weird and has a retarded singer, who can't seem to open his eyes, like he's in a gilbert godfried competition. The other band has mohawks, to look more punk, and has a retarded singer who may have been involved in some kind of shop accident, who slurs his voice either to sound cool/drunk or just because he's legally retarded. I like that both of these bands proudly represent the mentally challanged community. Thats not to say their listeners are mentally challanged, but the bands themselves are. Thats no insult. Rainman was mentally challanged, but I know I'd get killed in a game of pickup sticks, or toothpick counting contest. These guys have a place. Where that is, I don't know. And just because I don't like either band doesn't mean you can't. Freedom is yours. I think they suck, and don't want to ever hear them again, and I own an album by both bands. You like them if you want. I just prefer music with a little more substance. Sometimes thats emotional substance. Sometimes I'm just looking for a laugh. Sometimes I want to be inspired by political satire. Sometimes I just want a band that rocks solidly. Neither of these bands do that. Rancid almost did at one time, but I can only listen to a guy with a severe speech impediment for so long. Plus, hey kids, grammar is fun. Learn it. Use it. People might take you more seriously if you do, and you can cause change. Mistakes are part of life. Who cares. I want to open the account that gets me the free gun.

Posted by dignin on 2003-09-01 23:47:01
My Score:

Ive been thinking, radiohead belongs on this site more than a lot of bands that are posted, namely rancid. Punk is not just about the music, and radiohead stands for a lot more punk politics than rancid ever will(plus they dont have stupid celebrity cameos in their music videos)

Posted by dignin on 2003-09-01 23:44:11
My Score:

radiohead is a different band that plays music that your probably not used to. Therefore it may take more than a few listens. And try the to Listen to the Bends, if Ok Computer and Kid A are to "artsy fartsy"

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-09-01 22:42:41
My Score:

That was such an ignorant statement that I won't even reply (until BSD does and I give up and reply anyway).

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 at 8:14 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Well in attempt to learn more about the band, I borrowed OK Computer and Kid A from a friend, and I'm sorry, but they sound like artsy fartsy shit to me... The horribly vague lyrics, the boring music, the slow, redundant drumming... This stuff is for sheep. Just dumb music for fake smart people.

-BSD

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 at 7:35 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i borrowed ok computerand hail to the thief from my friend and the thought that came to mind was why the fuck does anybody like this? look i can sing! wah waaeeh gyah noah huahweh kwenewaiuh! if anyone wonders what that means then you understand how i feel about radiohead.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 at 7:06 PM (EDT)
My Score:

how about this for an idea...everyone shut up.

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-09-01 15:24:34
My Score:

Interesting...

In response to RyanTMurphy, I have never yet critcized anyone's musical taste for not liking Radiohead; all I've said is if you don't like them and think they shouldn't be here, then I didn't write this review for you.

However, saying that they have no sense of melody is wrong. Listen to any one of their songs; melody is everywhere, it just may be in awkward timing or hiding just below some sort of chaos. But it's there.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 at 12:33 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Hey every1

nice grammaer, you's guys should learn to not mess up when you talk cuz' i do not wanna have to take the times out of my busy shedule to write out a comet about the grammer that a guy did because here at punknews.org we are taught to not make them mistakes when we push the keys in to make letters. So, nevr make anymor miskaes, cuz i do not want to make me fix evreything. Well, it might make me look a bit more intelligent if I do...(ponders)yes, continue to make mistakes, so I can appear to be smarter than everyone. Execellent...

Posted by dignin on 2003-08-31 20:13:02
My Score:

"Nice spelling... You're forgetting the 4th category, which would be "people who have a different taste in music than me". The reason I say Radiohead has been done before is, because, frankly, they have... Noise rock is nothing new and has been around since the 60s...

-BSD"

No fourth category, its okay if people dont like radiohead but its the people that say, "fuck this band, their not punk", that bother me. Ohh and go listen to you and whose army if you think they dont have melody. And who cares if they dont? Their breaking the rules of music, which is what punk was sort of about in the first place...and please name these bands that do what radiohead does.

Posted by RyanTMurphy on 2003-08-31 19:59:18
My Score:

Yknow I really don't get why everyone who doesn't like Radiohead automatically gets lumped into a category of being retarded l33tsp33king punker than thou types. I appreciate musically advanced, artistic, adventurous music too; that doesn't mean I have to be a Radiohead fan. I just don't get anything out of the music Radiohead have been making from OK Computer on, it just sounds like weird for the sake of being weird. It's not good songwriting, there's no sense of melody going on. But since everyone has such a hard on for them, it's hard to avoid having to hear them sometimes.

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-31 18:51:33
My Score:

Haha woah, long drive. I live in Milwaukee, so it was only about a 40 minute trek for me. Not counting parking and leaving the venue of course... That took hours.

Posted by thefirstfive on 2003-08-31 18:41:33
My Score:

well dammit. i drove all the way to WI to see this show and someone beat me to it. I live in TN by the way. oh well

Posted by StratManX on 2003-08-31 15:19:38
My Score:

To those who think Radiohead is of the same quality as garbage desperately needs to go listen to Ok Computer.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 2:19 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I think they are probably the most overrated band ever. I just don't see the appeal about these guys.

Now Coldplay on the other hand, I love those guys.

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-31 12:35:25
My Score:

I think the point here is that Radiohead isn't noise-rock. So continuing my challenge, name three bands that have done exactly what Radiohead is doing now.

And that's the whole point; people like different styles of music. This review is for those who like Radiohead. I hate Avenged Sevenfold, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna go bitch at Forty for writing a good review of it.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 11:22 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"(the people who are close minded, that bash boold bros. and radiohead)"

Nice spelling... You're forgetting the 4th category, which would be "people who have a different taste in music than me". The reason I say Radiohead has been done before is, because, frankly, they have... Noise rock is nothing new and has been around since the 60s...

-BSD

Posted by dignin on 2003-08-31 11:08:03
My Score:

also, theres three types of music listeners. Those who give in to hype and listen to whatever critics and the majority of people like. Then theres the people who like whatever is good and dont give a shit if its popular or trendy. Then theres the people that say if its popular it sucks, if theres hype it sucks. And just because you fall in latter(the people who are close minded, that bash boold bros. and radiohead) doesnt mean the rest of us fall onto the hype category. Sometimes hype is warranted, such as the case with radiohead, cursive, and others. Of course sometimes it is not(the strokes, the vines, thrice)

Posted by dignin on 2003-08-31 11:02:10
My Score:

fuck this shit, radiohead doesn't even have a song wth three chords in it, what the hell is it doing here? I hate music that is original and you have to think while listening to it...you know its a shame you put radiohead in with linkin park and slayer, that just shows how ignorant you are, seriously.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 10:46 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"...your miserly self..."

them's fightin' words!

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-31 01:13:37
My Score:

And I know I misspelled 'criticize'; that was a typo.

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-31 01:12:14
My Score:

First of all, 'first of all' is not a full sentence; it is a dependant clause. Therefore, it cannot stand alone with a period after it. I HATE pointing out simple grammar to people. Oh, and one usually CAPITALIZES the first letters of sentences and the pronoun 'I'. Make sure you don't look like an idiot before you criticze others.

Secondly, in that entire review there's one minor grammar mistake, and you attack me? Have you EVER read ANY other review on this site? Apparently not.

Additionally, you brought the problem to my attention condescendingly as if I'm an idiot. One error, and suddenly I'm a grammar nuisance? Give me a break. If only everyone were as righteous as you, right?

I'm sorry you had a problem with my outrageously genre-crossing review, but I didn't write it for you. I wrote it for people like Dignin who have half a brain and can either appreciate other peoples' reviews or keep their big mouths shut.

But keep it up. Maybe your miserly self will singlehandedly rid PN of grammar fugitives and genre-crossers like me.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 11:21 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i submitted my justin timberlake/christina aguilera stripped show review weeks ago. and where is it? bullshit.

Posted by rightcliqificus on 2003-08-30 23:03:37
My Score:

first of all. the sentence should read "Radiohead doesn't come to America..." ... i'm tired of pointing simple grammar out to people. Radiohead is singular, despite the fact that there are multiple people in the band. it is ONE unit, and should be treated as such. Secondly, despite how this sounds familiar to everyone, why are these corporate rock whores even featured on this site? When's the Dave Matthews review gonna been posted? hmm?

Posted by joeg on 2003-08-30 17:48:35
My Score:

"Wow, you managed to voice your complaint in a witty and original way. Congrats"

i know. i wanted to rise about the rest of the idiots on this board and come up with something specifically for fellow geniuses like you. on a related note, i'm going to the slayer show and i guess there wouldn't be any objections if i posted a review of it on this site, eh? oh, and i just sent my review of the linkin park show, hope you guys like it!

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-30 15:00:15
My Score:

I looked online for a while, and all I could find was a rough estimation of its size in an unofficial review of a Pearl Jam concert. That estimation was 40,000. Somehow I doubt it was quite that large, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was 20,000.

The ampitheatre was laid out so that it felt more cozy than it was, however. Maybe it was the bowl-shape of the grassy hill, but the size really didn't bother me.

Posted by dignin on 2003-08-30 04:03:06
My Score:

relay, I really appreciate the review, its to bad there is a bunch of closeminded people on this site. Oh, and how big was the venue you saw this at

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-30 01:17:48
My Score:

Wow, you managed to voice your complaint in a witty and original way. Congrats.

Posted by joeg on 2003-08-29 22:10:05
My Score:

of course every time i hear radiohead, i think great punk rock music. that's why they're reviewed on punknews.org, duh!

Posted by dignin on 2003-08-29 20:17:51
My Score:

its okay if you dont like radiohead, but to say they suck is pure ignorance, alright you guys are punk we get it...oi oi

Posted by RyanTMurphy on 2003-08-29 18:18:06
My Score:

"0.0 -- Avoid it like the plague"

The only good quote I've ever read in Stuff Magazine: "Avoid cliches like the plague".

Oh and Radiohead is quite possibly the worst band ever to collectively rape my senses.

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-29 17:25:14
My Score:

Oh, and BSD, please do enlighten me; what are the bands that have done Radiohead's exact style "to death"? Who is Radiohead ripping off?

And Coldplay and Radiohead are two very different things.

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-29 17:23:57
My Score:

True, they didn't play "I Might Be Wrong." That was the one song I truly missed.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks did open, but the focus of my review was Radiohead. It wasn't a review of the tour as a whole, just one band. Also, since I don't really like SM J, I decided that reviewing them would not do them justice to their many fans.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 5:19 PM (EDT)
My Score:

they didnt play i might be wrong... i like that song

Posted by dignin on 2003-08-29 16:47:42
My Score:

check out "just", "fake platic trees",
"let down", "paranoid android", "wolf at the door", "idioteque", "you and whose army", and "2 2=5". That pretty much covers all their cds and styles.

And did stephen malkmus not open that night? Because I think he is defiantly worth mentioning. Maybe Ill write a review.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 4:46 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The rage behind Radiohead is like the rage behind Coldplay: They're English guys who make really crappy music, that is somehow appealing to the artsy fartsy crowd... Radiohead has been done to death by bands before them.

-BSD

Posted by mumbleumbolous on 2003-08-29 16:13:21
My Score:

thom yorke dances like if michael jackson and my grandpa had a kid. oh, and paranoid android, no surprises, the national anthem, scatterbrain, and idioteque are all good songs to get into radiohead by.

Posted by relay1112 on 2003-08-29 14:20:16
My Score:

Being at a large venue is not nearly as bad as you'd think. They somehow still managed to make it feel intimate.

And that Coldplay joke reminded me of something. I bought four tickets without knowing who I would go with, so I asked around, and one girl said "Oh my God, Radiohead, I love them!" Upon being asked what CD's they like, they said "Well the Police one was good, and Clocks is a good song." Needless to say, they lost both their ticket and my respect.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 2:15 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This is !punknews.co.uk

Posted by jheisel on 2003-08-29 13:56:33
My Score:

yeah, let's straighten things out here:
coldplay -- sucks.
radiohead -- best band on the planet.

i wish i could see them sometime, but i would fucking hate to go to a 30,000 people outdoor venue and shit.

i should post a review of mogwai last saturday in moscow: "i got really wasted before the show, got in free, couldn't move around because it was so packed and left after three songs."

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 1:30 PM (EDT)
My Score:

OK. radiohead is the best band ever, i can't wait to see them again, in west palm (i'm a bad son, i've got to skip the b-day party for my mom, but i already got my tickets)
oh, and by the way, you're talking about Coldplay with the video running backwards. umm, and coldplay couldn't wash radioheads' socks. but you're forgiven

Posted by maverick on 2003-08-29 13:11:56
My Score:

I'm hoping the guy below me is trying out some subtle humor. If he is, it worked on me, that was hilarious.

-Scott

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 12:36 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I like that video where everything runs backwards.. that is cool

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 12:05 PM (EDT)
My Score:

crazy, my brother caught this show on his trip from oregon to new york. sounds like good stuff, though i've never gotten into their music much. anyone want to reccomend some starter tracks for me?

-el vaquero