Radiohead lights up Lakewood

I’m a creep. You’ll probably think I’m a weirdo, too, when you hear what I’m about to say.

I think Radiohead can be kinda boring live.

There, I said it. Unleash the hounds. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Radiohead, and I’m not disputing the fact that Radiohead is one of the greatest bands of all time. But I’ve seen the band before and it’s been fairly unmemorable — except for the fact that I can recall not even being able to give away an extra ticket we had the last time they came through Atlanta. So this time my friends and I hit Lakewood ticketless, all scored lawn seats for $20, and then snuck into the covered seating for the show. Lakewood can be a very cheap date.

The stage setup was incredible, with its blazing light show reflecting off of stalactite-like rods dripping down from the roof. Cameras filmed individual bandmembers throughout the show, and all of the black-and-white footage played simultaneously in separate blocks on a long, wide screen backdrop.

Radiohead did sound incredible. They played from just about every album except Pablo Honey, and highlights included “Idioteque”, “Bangers & Mash”, “Just” and “Paranoid Android” into “House of Cards” for the final encore.”Just” alone was worth the price of admission (if you paid what I did). As one of my friends who was there put it, “Few bands can completely recreate live, the sounds on their records like Radiohead can.” He’s right and it’s an impressive feat, given the music’s complexity. Still, some of the slower songs can be taxing live, and I find myself itching for songs such as “Just.”

The show was simple, tight and definitely more memorable than the last time. I’d certainly see them again, but I wouldn’t pay more than $20.

Check out the photo slideshow below for shots of Thom Yorke thrashing about on stage in his dancing fits, among other highlights.

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