I arrived in Paris at 12:30pm courtesy of the Eurostar train. It’s the business, no wonder the band travel by Eurostar also.
After meeting up with a couple of self-confessed Radiohead groupies (Hi! V and A! Victoria and Albert? – ed) outside the gig, we killed some time in the Virgin Megastore until about 4pm. When we returned to find the pavement swamped with people already. I tried to get into the gig early to set up my RWS stall, but hadn‘t bet on the extremely stroppy breed of bouncer that inhabits Paris. The band were walking from venue to tour bits quite often and having a lot of trouble operating the combination lock door into the bus. Not good, as they were starting to get recognised by some of the massive crowd. Eventually, Nice Bloke Tim, the tour manager, succeed in getting me past the extreme security (no mean feat!) and I set up shop inside.
The support were actually quite good, although totally unknown (er, actually, they had a really good single out last summer called In The Groove Again, and the singer’s called Comfort – ed) they were called Out Of My Hair and played lots of Dodgy-esque stuff. Jonny must be giving keyboard lessons now as the keyboard player was really into weird noises. Myself and Chris (ex-pat from Surrey and assistant fanzine seller) then stowed everything away and walked down to the already sauna-like standing area. The venue was almost identical identical to the Shepherd‘s Bush Empire — about 1100 capacity, raised walkway at the rear and steeply sloping balcony that was deserted. The French have the right idea- as you could choose where to stand, and I think that there's nothing worse that being stuck upstairs (seated) because downstairs has sold out.
On come the band to a massive reception and play Planet Telex, Bones, High & Dry, Bullet Proof, My Iron Lung, Electioneering, Nice Dream, Black Star, Lift, Creep, I Promise, The Bends, Fake Plastic Trees, Lucky, Anyone Can Play Guitar and Just. First encores was Street Spirit, Airbag, Blow Out. Second encore was You. Twenty songs. Three new ones and almost all of The Bends. Brilliant. Lots of highlights. I’d certainly forgotten how ‘nasty' My Iron Lung has become - it makes the recorded version sound very tame. I firmly believe there should be a sign outside warning people that the song will be played tonight. The new songs are worth waiting for. Absolutely classic stuff, I am convinced that I Promise will be Radiohead’s first number one single.
The gig ended, and after an intense period of fanzine “sellage” we hung around after the gig talking to Jonny and getting bits and pieces signed. Jonny wasn’t keen to go outside as it was getting late, so l left to catch the last Metro home. Apparently, Jonny and the rest of the band later spent an long time outside meeting fans and signing records, well after I got back to the hotel. I‘m sure they enjoy it all really. Some bands may not have bothered, but Radiohead aren't “some band“.

Paris
Le Bataclan
26 May 96
Ceri Cushen

After endless hours spent on trains, coaches and one hell of a rough ride on a ferry, we finally made it. The night we had dreamt about for so long was here, we were in Paris and about to see Radiohead live for the first time in our lives.
We knew it would be one of those once-in-a- lifetime experiences as soon as we walked through the doors into the Bataelan Theatre. With its old fashioned decor and almost run down appearance it's the perfect venue to see the perfect hand. No mass hysteria or hype, just a few hundred adoring fans.
Sitting cross legged on the cold floor it seemed they would be more at home at Reading or Glastonbury, not here only minutes away from witnessing what was to be the most artistic live performance of what can only be described as “pure musical talent“ and “unassuming brilliance".
The sound check's complete and we find ourselves in the front row, just feet away from the boys themselves. The band prepare their first assault on your senses as Thom walks on, head hung down, hands in his pockets he casts a haunting silhouette of the type that should belong to a homeless waif walking the back- streets of London, but as the lighting reveals more. That emotionless frown grows into a knowing schoolboy grin He's wearing red corduroy flares and a faded Gameboy T shirt, his hair is bright orange.
The crowd suddenly come alive, as though they too were connected to his amp. As Jonny leads the intro on his keyboard, Thom glides into the hypnotic rhythm of Planet Telex. Song after song is belted out, including some fantastic new material, one in particular called l Promise. Then Jonny demonstrates his “outstanding unique style“ with the delayed power chords of Creep. This really sets the French fans alight and I wonder if we're the only British fans in the whole place.
The night culminates with Street Spirit, and you have the feeling that the band enjoyed themselves nearly as much as you with a genuine thank-you to their support group. Out Of My Hair, and a sincere farewell to all their fans, the band exit. Shoulders hunched once more, as though his entire life supply stems from his music, Thom shuffles away, looking back for one last wave, he is gone, leaving me dripping with sweat from head to foot and in desperate need of a good shower or a very large whisky.

Paris
Le Bataclan
26 May 96
Jeanne Aeschlimann

Probably the best day of my life! Yes, for the second time I saw Radiohead playing live. I’m sure those of you who have already seen them on stage understand me very well. Don’t you‘?
Well, I don’t know how to begin; there is so much to say about their amazing shows. They are simply the best. There was a strange and heavy atmosphere that night at the Bataclan (Parisian behaviour is so strange). The set began with a strong version of Planet Telex. Ed was just completely wild, he was jumping around (it cost him a terrible backache, “I’m an old man” he said to my sister after the show). I still see Thom wriggling behind his microphone, wearing his funny Game Boy T-shirt. Radiohead were just perfect, they were just there with their incredible and powerful songs.
Anyway, I wouldn‘t write if l didn‘t have something special to tell you. So I am going to explain to you as well as I can, probably the three most hallucinating (sic?) minutes of my life.
I‘m sure all of you know Fake Plastic Trees and I'm sure that you must know all the lyrics by heart, too. So, at the end of the song, when Thom sings, “lf l could be you wanted, if l could be who you wanted, all the time..." l screamed the biggest "You are" he’s ever heard in his life. How do I know that? Just in conclusion of his reaction which was an astonished laugh. Then l screamed again, and in response l had the most beautiful smile I've ever seen, and then I screamed again…
You can’t imagine what feeling I had at this moment: yes, I’ve made him laugh: no, I disturbed him during the most sad moment in the song… What else can I say… it was simply magic.
I can’t end this without speaking about their new songs. They performed in Paris their so beautiful songs I Promise and Airbag and their performances were so strong and deep that they make
me think that I won‘t be able to wait until March to hear their new album.
So l don‘t see anything se to say except that in addition to being the most talented band at the moment (and in future, I hope) they are very nice and patient people. I don’t at all regret all the miles I made from Geneva to Paris!