This is really happening

March 15, 2012, the day Radiohead traveled back to Phoenix Arizona!  It had been 17 years since they last came through and put on a show, at the Nile Theater; to those who went to that one, I salute you!  When I heard they were coming again, I was naturally ecstatic.  When it came time to buy the tickets however, it seems it wasn't in the cards for me, and sadly, tickets weren't purchased, plus the show sold out in no time!  I thought for sure that I would mope and be envious of all those attending the show that night; even considered not going on any social networking sites to avoid the "I'm going to Radiohead" comments all together.  I had it bad and there wasn't much I could do.  But see, I have some amazing friends with common musical interests and we all look out for each other whenever we can.  I get a text from my buddy Duane one day and he informs me that he has an extra pair to sell...Dee was going to Radiohead after all...and the heavens opened up and rejoiced once more.

I will admit that I have become quite the snob when it comes to venues, I am not a huge fan of the large arena type shows.  But I knew they would have to play a large scale venue, they are a group that has transcended genres and they appeal to the masses in the best way possible.  I was more than willing to suck it up for this one, definitely bound to be worth it.  And since Jobing arena is at Westgate, some pre-concert nosh and drinks were definitely in order.  Concert going has become a simple pleasure in my life and when it involves good friends, what more can I really ask for (besides back stage passes or a song, sang just for me)?  Seeing as how two of my most favorite things to do are to go to shows and go out with friends for drinks, being able to combine the two together is, well, it makes me happier than I can actually put in to words!  We all decided to meet at the Yardhouse beforehand and I couldn't have been more pleased with that decision.  It is a little on the expensive side, but they have a vegetarian/vegan menu that doesn't just consist of veggies and humus, along with an extensive selection of delicious beers.  Great company, great food, great beer, we were ready for the show!  Sadly, we were not all sitting in the same area, so we each made our way to our designated locations.  Duane rocks so hard that he gave Jessica and I the floor passes!  I love seats and all but I certainly was not upset about getting as close to the stage as possible.  We made our way to where we wanted to be and enjoyed Other Lives remaining set.  They were great live and I am glad that we got to see them.

It was time for Radiohead.  You could feel the anticipation in the air and as the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted.  The stage setup consisted of several different monitors with different images on each and a backdrop of lights, to round it out.  The melodic electronic music began and Thom chimed in with his soothing vocals.  Opening with the beginning track of King of Limbs, Bloom, I wasn't sure where they would go with the show; would it be a greatest hits set list or would they stick to the new stuff?  When I heard the tune of 15 Steps come on for the second song, I knew it was bound to be a good mix of new and old.  The sound that Radiohead provides is so unique and truly in a genre of its own.  With a combination of electronic beats and instruments accompanying Thom Yorke's soulful, soothing and ethereal vocals, their tunes make me want to dance, swoon and sway.  I did all of the above during their performance!  They made my night by performing Idioteque (Kid A), a song on my list of top ten favorites.  I thought for sure when I heard the first couple of beats, I would crawl right out of my skin!  Watching Thom dance (see Lotus Flower video for example) certainly makes me want to join in.  After three encore performances, the band ended the night with Paranoid Android (OK Computer).  I thought it to be the perfect ending song.  In my opinion, OK Computer is the album that set the tone for this group and solidified their place in rock history. 

All in all I was pleased with the performance and I can finally mark them off of my list of 'must see' bands.  To me, a good band is one that can continuously create their own sound and bring something new to the table, all the while remaining true to themselves; Radiohead is the epitome of this.

Set List:

Bloom
15 Steps
Air Bag
Little By Little 
Myxomatosis
The Gloaming
Morning Mr Magpie
Pyramid Song
The Daily Mail
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box
Identikit
Lotus Flower
There There
Feral
Idioteque
How To Disappear Completely
Kid A
Lucky
Bodysnatcher
Give up the Ghost
Reckoner
Paranoid Android