Lollapalooza 2008: Surprise! Radiohead Own Day One
By Scott Lapatine & Amrit Singh
Every other night in this weekend there will be a final set showdown -- Kanye or Trent? Tweedy or de la Rocha? -- but the Lolla organizers didn't even bother for Friday. There's this band called Radiohead, and they tend to own your face. Honestly something about the energy in band and crowd may have been slightly off -- Thom copped to being jet-lagged at one point, told us "You're quiet, Chicago" during "Optimistic" -- but as DeRo put it, Radiohead at its least extraordinary is still better than most, and the set still had the sort of magic that make them, them. See: The fireworks display timed perfectly with "Everything In Its Right Place," intensifying into a grand finale during "Fake Plastic Trees"' climax. Even the security guards felt that shit. And the setlist was pretty stellar, choice cuts from across the catalogue (save Pablo), showcasing their myriad looks. New York, you are in for a treat next weekend. Well, two treats. We've got a full setlist, a couple of crappy YouTubes from that singularly epic "Fake Plastic" moment, and a bunch of photos for ya. But first, if you were there last night, see if you can spot yourself:
SETLIST
01. "15 Step"
02. "Airbag"
03. "There There"
04. "All I Need"
05. "Nude"
06. "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"
07. "The Gloaming"
08. "The National Anthem"
09. "Faust Arp"
10. "No Surprises"
11. "Jigsaw Falling Into Place"
12. "Reckoner"
13. "Lucky"
14. "The Bends"
15. "Everything In Its Right Place"
16. "Fake Plastic Trees"
17. "Bodysnatchers"
----
18. "Videotape"
19. "Paranoid Android"
20. "Dollars and Cents"
21. "House of Cards"
22. "Optimistic"
----
23. "2+2=5"
24. "Idioteque"
[Photos by Amrit]
Here's a little of the scene, set at low-resolution and 450 pixels width:
"Everything In Its Right Place" / "Fake Plastic Trees"
Here's "Fake Plastic Trees" from a closer vantage. It was a moment.
Posted at 1:13 PM in Concert, Video
Tags: Lollapalooza | Radiohead
I was quite far back, so it's nice to see pictures of the guys. The fireworks were a ridiculously magical touch, since they seemed to time up with "Everything" and "Fake Plastic Trees" a little too well. One of the great things about Lolla is the incredible skyline backdrop you get to some amazing bands, so that coupled with fireworks was beautiful. But I sweated through my clothes and felt like I had been hit by a truck by the end of the day.
Score = 3
Oh shit, the photos are brilliant!! you caught the right moments :) thanks!
Score = 4
"Kanye or Trent? Tweedy or de la Rocha?"
Yeah, real tough calls there.
Score = -12
condescending: (adj) showing or implying a usually patronizing descent from dignity or superiority.
you has it.
Score = 5
Worst band in the world right now. Give it up, guys.
Score = -67
Maybe you should give up fighting one of the most supported bands in the world, hmmm?
Score = 4
I know! Buckcherry's just the greatest, right?
Score = 1
why the FUCK did i not go to this? i knew i would be asking myself that question a lot today.
Score = 0
Sorry to burst everyone's bubble (including the www.pitchforkmedia.com report) but the fireworks were just a coincidence with the Chicago Bears "Family Night" which was happening at the same time a half mile south at Soldier Field. This happened last year during the Pearl Jam set as well. If you enjoyed it then all the better but if you felt it subtracted from the experience (as it did for the snobs at pitchfork) then blame the Chicago Park District, not Radiohead
Score = 7
Great photos. Nice Modeskeltor tee ,Thom.
Score = 2
Nice to see Ol' Crazy Eye & The Wank-Rabbits are still keeping at the music thing.
Score = -14
Tomorrow, Noblesville, IN, can't wait.
Score = 1
Yeah, Radiohead is 4 pussies and niggers
Score = -45
I felt it was obvious that the fireworks had nothing to do with the band. That said, you can't deny the synchronicity of Fake Plastic Trees. The explosions crescendo at the same time as the song, resulting in a moment of beauty that preplanned light shows just can't approach.
The show as a whole was fantastic. Props to the crowd for even lasting all day. The heat and humidity were a tremendous feat to overcome, resulting in some tired fans. But just being there, among tens of thousands of people all in awe of Radiohead's dominant performance, was a transcendent experience.
Score = 3
Very very cool. It makes me sad that I'm not there.
Score = 0
All those pics and you guys couldn't post at least one of Phil? (aka the most underrated musician around today.)
Score = 4
i was there in the second row, and it was hard to get any pictures of phil at all because of his placement on the stage and how high up the stage was. i actually didn't manage to get him in a single shot, and i'm sure those in the photog pit had a difficult time as well. it was hard to get pictures of colin for similar reasons, and you'll notice the only picture of him on here is from a moment when he walked to the front of the stage.
Score = 0
The fact that the fireworks weren't planned and just happenstance makes it all the better.
Score = 3
I'm pretty sure those fireworks were planned. I've been to Lolla for the past 3 years and it happens every year. I actually looked to my buddy about a song before they went off and said, "watch for fireworks."
Score = 2
fireworks cause pollution
Score = -1
Radiohead are so very boring and overrated.
Score = -19
Radiohead haters smell like poop.
through the screen.
please remove yourself from the world of music. you obviously have no understanding of it.
Score = 1
If you think they are the worst band ever, You obviously have no taste in music whatsoever.....
Score = 1
The fact that during "2+2=5" on the line "Go and tell the king that the sky is falling in/when it's not/maybe not" a giant mass of cloud came rolling in towards Radiohead just cemented the fact that they had nature and life itself working for them that night.
The whole set was just magical.
Score = 5
This is my fourth time seeing Radiohead and I thought the show really lacked energy and momentum. I was expecting the best show ever and ended up a little disappointed.--- Actually, I didn't make it to the show and really really wanted to go. I'm just hoping someone will say this so that I will feel better... I'm in awe of everyone that got to see this
Score = 1
This makes me really sad that I just can't see them, AGAIN.
Score = 0
I left after their 2nd song. I couldnt torture myself with the lackluster performance. Please dont hate.
Score = -2
No problem, troll.
Anyways... I saw them in Noblesville
last night at Deer Creek. (I never call the
stadium by it's corporate name, if I know
it's proper name.)
Their stage version of Idioteque was
absolutely incredible. It was the climax
of the show for us, really. After that it
was hats off to them.
Thom Yorke, as far as I could tell, played
nearly every instrument in a traditional
band. He banged on the drums like there
was no tomorrow, and sang wonderfully
at the same time. Bobbing his head and,
you could see (IF you could see, as my fiance
could not), clearly pouring himself into his
performance.
Yeah, I sensed that they had some
jetlag, but I thought... hey, why not help
them out, and also have a good time
anyways, because these guys are
obviously some of the most talented
musicians of our day and proficient
at marketing themselves in tandem.
I for one, am amazed that such a vast
array of people can truly appreciate this
band. They are incredibly talented.
All of them, really.
Score = 3
I saw them at Deer Creek as well. It was amazing. I loved that they played every single song off of In Rainbows. I also couldn't believe that Idioteque sounded so much better than it does on the cd. I mean, how is that possible? It was a great show.
Score = 0
I took my 15 year old son this year, and while I sat at the back of the bowl, he muscled his way into the first three or so rows in front of the stage. Then, because he doesn't know Radiohead's music all that well, he left. He left! He's getting none of my money when I go.
Score = 2
Really awesome, a great opening that we all know should've been the weekend's closing. It's great to see a band that doesn't rely on it's light show as much as seeks out innovative ways to present a visual compliment to their music. I was very excited and not let down at all by the new avenues in stage shows that Radiohead and NIN decided to explore.
Score = 1
I was in love the whole time, but from where I was standing (on the west hillside), the people around talked through the entire thing. Happened to catch them last night at Blossom and the energy was 100 times better. It was very nice to see them surrounded by people who actually wanted to be there
Score = 0
You might argue for he sake of arguing that the fireowrks display may or may not have been "planned" (I don't) and I don't think Thom would have that shit. But the cloud that appeared as though Steven King was about to arrive . . . now that was epic. Oh, and Blossom was well . . . incredible.
Score = 0
Oh damn! I saw the fireworks as I was leaving the park 45 minutes into their first song. I had no idea it was for Radiohead. Sweet!
Score = -1
is there any way to get a high quality copy of that crowd shot, what a great photo.
Score = 0
I know this is a little late...but as amazing as the fireworks were with Radiohead...they were not for their show or Lolla in general...there was a Family Night practice at Soldier Field for the Bears with fireworks at the end. Saw it on the news that evening...sorry to be a downer
Score = 0
As much as I am a fan of the band, there's no denying that Thom's eyes look terrifying.
Hello to Radiohead from India.
Score = 0
Yeah well, I saw Christmas On Mars, the Flaming Lips' movie instead. It was the shit.
Score = 0