After much anticipation and hype, Sunday night’s Radiohead show at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia proved to live up to its expectations and more. On a cold, rainy May evening, thousands of fans flocked to the show — some in flip flops and shorts even — anxious to see a band the Wall Street Journal recently compared with the Beatles. (Read that here.) I prepared to flock to section 305, which was the highest level of seating, right in front of the poor, poor lawn-ers.
No matter the level of seats I have or the time I give myself to get to the venue, it seems that every time I go to a show at Nissan Pavilion, I always miss the first song or two. This show was no different. After getting a serious workout on the way to my seat, at around 9:10pm, I arrive to to hear the ending to “All I Need” which just happens to be my favorite song off of last year’s In Rainbows.
From there, the band transistions and is now in full-force as they jumped into another new song, “Jigsaw Falling Into Place.” Then in “Lucky” the light show takes off while afterward in ”Nude,” the audience shuts up and listens to Thom Yorke sing ”Don’t get any big ideas.” Another personal favorite of mine, “Pyramid Song,” was next (off of 2001’s Amnesiac), and by the sounds of the crowd, it’s definitely a fan favorite.
Next up is “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi,” which is the fourth song the band has played from their latest album. The best line from that song for me is, “You’re eyes…They turn me…” and I when I hear it, I just melt. Just as I come up for air, I hear a familiar noise, but I can’t quite put my finger on it…
…It hits me: It’s “Myxomatosis!!” This is the only tune they play from their 2003 album “Hail to the Thief,” which is probably their least famous album, but certainly ranks among OK Computer and Kid A.
As the concert continues, we hear old favorites such as “Karma Police” and “Paranoid Android” which are good songs, but are even better live.
Worth mentioning again is the light show which showcased the guitar playing of Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Colin Greenwood the entire night. At every stroke was a powerful beam of light, which made the experience even more invigorating.
In case you’re interested, here’s the complete set list:
All I Need / Jigsaw Falling Into Place / Lucky / 15 Step / Nude / Pyramid Song / Weird Fishes/Arpeggi / Myxomatosis / Idioteque / Faust Arp / Videotape / Paranoid Android / Just / Reckoner / Everything In Its Right Place / Bangers + Mash / Body Snatchers // Like Spinning Plates / Optimistic / Karma Police / Go Slowly / Planet Telex // Fake Plastic Trees / National Anthem / House of Cards
Highlights included “Everything In Its Right Place,” The Bends’ “Planet Telex” and a newer song called “Go Slowly” which I am sad to say I do not have. That song, along with five others are only available on the Box Set of In Rainbows, but I’m sure us college students can find a way to get them illegally…
One of the best moments was when in “Paranoid Android” Yorke sang “Rain down…rain down…come on rain down, on me” no doubt paying respects to the hundreds braving the lawn in cold, rainy weather. Yorke even said, “We know how tough today has been for you guys.”
Torrential rain could not keep me from this show, and neither could my feeling a bit under-the-weather. It was so worth it. That said, I’ll probably never go to that venue again.
I lied. The only way I’d go is if the Smiths reunited.