“French frenzy” best described the mood when the set opened with My Iron Lung. A frightening contrast of highs and lows immediately brought the audience to euphoria. Bones, Nice Dream and Planet Telex thrilled our senses, intercepted by some older material, Blow Out and Anyone Can Play Guitar all sounding better than ever. Each delicate and explosive emotion emanating from them washed over and swept us in. As usual Radiohead and audience were one.
The venue of only 1400 was perfect for such unity and Thom allowed the hands of those in the front row to touch the edge of his guitar whilst he played. They graced us with Bullet Proof and Lucky, which lulled us briefly into more introspective mood. This set treated us to three new songs, showing all the signs of their subtlety and power, each song offering something new and 20 exciting for the future.
The first encore brought impatient cries when the band arrived back on stage and Thom teasingly stood, hand on forehead, for some moments before starting. Ending with a blistering version of The Bends, they were ultimately begged back for one final encore of Banana Co., so diversely different in mood and style. Then they were gone.
I left with a sense of excitement and joy. Hopefully, it will sustain me until the next time.