Fuzzpedal

I saw Radiohead play a live show at 93 Feet East at around 9:00pm. They were originally scheduled to play in Rough Trade East and I queued from 11:00am. Some people laughed at me for adopting the behaviour of an obsessive fan, which I am clearly not but, why would I care? I’m unemployed (free, sort of).

Some people did join me and I sincerely had a lovely day exchanging food items with strangers and telling people that Tom Jones is playing every time some said “Oi mate, what’s everyone queuing for?” At the risk of sounding an arrogant twat (as if anyone reads this thing anyway) I feel as though the full Radiohead experience is felt by someone who is struck by the presence of “those blokes off the telly”, which I don’t get as I don’t own a telly and live in London where stuff actually happens. Saying that, as I clambered onto the bass bin situated directly to the side of the stage, I couldn’t help but burst into hysterics about my clearly undeserved view resembling how the band must see each other on stage. I could hear the click of foot-pedals, the PA-bypassed sound of real drums. I could see the subtle nods and smile’s of the band’s communication and noticed Johnny Greenwood’s Max/MSP patch which seemed to be very tidily made. I noticed how Ed O’ Brien is actually the main contributor of atmosphere to Radiohead in the way they exist in my mind, with his very considered use of effects pedals. I could see spit being sprayed from Thom Yorke’s mouth over sing-along audience member’s faces, mouths open wide. I loved the way at least one band member was always silent and I learnt that it’s a big part of their songwriting - very inspiring.

In all honesty, they sounded to me like another live rock band. They clearly have lovely, well written songs which transfer so well through my own speakers and into my own personal surroundings and emotions but as a live experience, I felt the same as I do from seeing any one of my friends perform. This is a obviously a good thing but I didn’t experience the magic which Radiohead does for others. Maybe it will take some time to seep in but I can count it as one thing ticked from the list of average activities one should achieve in a lifetime, like swimming with dolphins and doing a bungee jump etc….