Radiohead Live: Now Online

I saw the show in Montreal earlier on this tour. The one thing my friends and I kept remarking on was how incredible everything sounded. This SB show certainly seems to be no exception. Not only was the band at the top of their game, but the sound engineers and the people in charge of lighting made the whole thing a beautiful (and totally muddy... as in, shoes, not sound) experience.

I'd seen Radiohead twice before, and this was by far the best show of theirs that I've seen, and the best large-scale venue show I've ever seen.

Thanks for uploading this show!

Sent by David W. | 4:29 PM | 9-8-2008

The first time I saw Radiohead live, they were opening for R.E.M., in support of The Bends. I'd heard, "Creep," and "Fake Plastic Trees," and while I liked the songs I was not inclined to buy a CD. So, my expectations were pretty low.

From the first chord of, "Bones," to the end of the set, I was on the edge of my seat, thoroughly enjoying music I'd never heard before.

I also got to see them in Toronto on the OK Computer tour. Amazing.

They are, hands down, one of best live acts and this show only goes to confirm what I am lucky to have experienced for myself.

Thank you, Bob. And thank you, Radiohead

Sent by Michael Oliver, Boston | 11:29 AM | 9-9-2008

Ragged in places but very beautiful. I saw them in Auburn last month. One of the best live experiences ever. I thought they covered " Tell Me Why" at this show?
Loved hearing" Cymbal Rush"!
Thank you so much for uploading this.

Sent by Biggie J | 12:22 PM | 9-9-2008

I've seen Radiohead twice in the last two years. The Bonnaroo show, though far from intimate, was the experience of a lifetime: 2.5 hours of the best music they have to offer. As I listened to this show last night, my passion for their music was reignited. The seemingly unlimited polyphonic textures, perfectly in tune vocal harmonies, and the flawless songwriting keep bringing me back for more. Listen to the whole show, and you'll surely enjoy every instant.

Sent by John Campbell, Chicago | 1:57 PM | 9-9-2008

Hello NPR!

I just finished listening to your recording of the Radiohead show in Santa Barbara.

I'm a longtime fan of the band. I actually paid for In Rainbows and I was thrilled to hear their show. I'm a full-time student and couldn't afford to travel to see my favorite band on their limited tour. Thanks for providing an audio feed to one of the concerts of the decade.

Radiohead deserves credit for making themselves so accessible. We love the art and are able to do so because we can access it.

Way to go, NPR.

Sent by Troy Westerberg | 4:06 PM | 9-9-2008

thank you so much, bob! you've passed on so much inspiration and light to fellow listeners across the world. this aural deluge is evergreen and a true gift!

Sent by jehan, free of frostbite | 12:34 AM | 9-10-2008

bob -

many thanks for recording and posting all of the concerts affiliated w/ your program. they are absolutely fantastic! by way of a friend, i was first turned on to your program with the radiohead show (which i was completely thrilled with, along w/ the interviews with radiohead's crew - fantastic!). you and the npr crew have recorded some other great shows, as well. the recording quality is always great and i enjoy the commentary before and after the shows. definitely gives us listeners more of a sense of actually being at the show. on top of all that, the fact that all the shows are free downloads is incredible. again, MANY MANY thanks for doing this! i look forward to more shows in the future!

Sent by christian volpe | 2:14 PM | 9-11-2008

The thing I admire about Radiohead is that they are prepared to be different and they transform their songs for live concerts. They are a real band who allow the music to express itself without stupid gimmicks. Seeing Thom do his silly dancing, Jonnys frantic string stretching guitar playing, and the understated involvment of Ed, Colin, and Phil is just delightful. I went to the gig in Manchester in the UK with my son and daughter(our 5th Radiohead gig) and some friends and it was a joy to be with OUR favourite band once again. My favourite moment on the day was the chorus of Karma Police "phew for a minute there, I lost myself" I glanced at my (now grown up) kids and shed a tear of pure joy to be there at that moment with them and that crowd singing its heart out. Call m a sentimental old fool, but for me, music means a great deal, and to know that my children share that is amazing.

Sent by Martin Baldock | 4:53 AM | 9-17-2008

Hey David W, I was also at the Montreal show...absolutely amazing, best live show I have ever seen!!!! Sound quality was so good! But speaking of sound quality, I want to say thank you to Bob and the All Songs crew for posting this concert, you guys put together a quality recording in your own right.

Sent by Steve C | 11:32 AM | 9-22-2008

Thank you so much NPR and Bill for getting this concert podcast!!! I had two chances to see Radiohead this summer (I was living in between Chicago and Toronto) and I couldn't get tickets for either show. This literally broke my heart because I respect Radiohead so much and am brought to life in so many ways by their music. After I downloaded this podcast on my MP3 player I just sat in Millennium Park and listened to it and it really salvaged my summer for me. It made me laugh, brought tears to my ears, and really opened my eyes to what it could have been like if I were able to see them in Chicago or Toronto. Even the passion in your voice, Bill, when describing what you were seeing made me tear up, but because you were able to feel and then convey these emotions, I felt like I wasn't missing a thing! So keep doing what you are doing, thank you, and keep the Radiohead stuff coming (I loved Thom Yorke as the DJ as well). I probably sound like an emotional nutcase but again thank you so much for sharing this with us as well as sharing your emotions about what a perfect show it was.

Sent by Claudia W. | 9:49 PM | 9-29-2008