Reviewed August 13, 2008
Radiohead In Rainbows Tour
by Ron Hollywood

Augsut 6th 2008
Parc Jean Drapeau

Colin Greenwood – bass
Jonny Greenwood – guitar
Ed O’Brien- guitar
Phil Selway – drums
Thom Yorke – Vocals, guitar, organ, piano, drums

Radiohead has left a turning point of hope for stadium rock events after their stellar spellbinding performance at Parc Jean Drapeau. This was a light and sound spectacle similar to what Pink Floyd use to give. The stage was bathed in cascading tubes of light that either gave effects of rain falling or could display words and images. One each side of the stage were screens showing band members in different views. The added touch was the fireworks display across the water that started off as fitting in the show perfectly. Then later they became slightly distracting. It’s a good thing Radiohead has all the lighting effects going on since Thom Yorke rarely moves around and when he does it’s much like an erratic baby.

This show was not just about a lighting spectacular because so was the music and how it was played. Every song seemed to be a genius piece of music being performed by geniuses and that’s exactly what it was. Thom moved from playing organ, guitar and even drums at one point. Each song seemed to be reaching out more and more as a musical challenge to the band and audience. The singalong chorus of Karma Police was majestic at the end of the first encore. Guitarist, Ed O’Brien, sat crosslegged playing his effects pedals with his hands on Everything In It’s Right Place as one by one each band member left the stage.

15 Step
There There (Thom “Sorry about the rain it follows us around”)
Morning Bell
All I Need
My Iron Lung
Nude
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
The Gloaming
The National Anthem
Reckoner
Like Spinning Plates
Jigsaw Falling into Place
Lucky
Optimistic
Idioteque
Bodysnatchers

1st Encore
Faust Arp
Videotape
Paranoid Android
Bangers and Mash
Karma Police

2nd Encore
House of Cards
You And Whose Army?
Everything In Its Right Place

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Previously: Paul McCartney 400th anniversary of Quebec City

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