25th
“They exist at the intersection of humanity and technology.” - Whitney
While they bring the lighting and video trappings of large “arena” bands like U2 and Coldplay, Radiohead differs greatly in that they have not settled on a formula. On stage, in front of 20,000 people, they are still artists, experimenting, creating, and enjoying.
Live, Johnny Greenwood stands out the most (particularly post Blood) as a musical impresario, hopping from instrument to tool to computer to instrument, evoking from a guitar unholy and beautiful sounds. Thom Yorke stretches his voice still, from falsetto to almost spoken voice at times, and Ed O’Brien will not hesitate from putting his guitar on the ground and tweaking it on his knees.
Even though I had to rush away to the airport, the band again delivered an “experience,” the elusive feeling a great live show causes where you feel you saw something special and unique yet somehow universal. In short, art, really fucking enjoyable art.