JIMMY WONG:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 00:17:01


incredible show. thom yorke probably said about 10 words outside of the songs he sang, but a wonderful 25 song setlist:

SET 1:
1. 15 Step
2. There There
3. Morning Bell
4. All I Need
5. Pyramid Song
6. Nude
7. Weird Fishes Arpeggi
8. The Gloaming
9. The National Anthem
10. A Wolf At The Door
11. Faust Arp
12. Exit Music (For A Film)
13. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
14. Idiotque
15. Climbing Up The Walls
16. Bodysnatchers
17. How to Disappear Completely

ENCORE 1:
18. Videotape
19. Paranoid Android
20. Subterranean Homesick Alien
21. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
22. Reckoner

ENCORE 2:
23. House Of Cards
24. Lucky
25. Everything In Its Right Place

totally didn't expect to hear the gloaming or a wolf at the door. lots of fun times here. came out for two encores, show ended around 10:40 or so.

no feedback or sound issues this time around, and the Bowl featured four large screens on both sides of radiohead as well as their icicle lighting and a backdrop video screen as well.

CINDY:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 00:18:15


first off there were a lot of people trying to get into this show. i mean, that's kind of a given but this is the first time i've ever seen security up in the trees behind the bowl. also there were people climbing the mountain facing the bowl. good for them. i climbed once for a show at the Greek and it was on my top five best shows for the band.

i've only seen the all points west show this time around and it seemed as though the band through out more treats at the bowl than jersey. at APW it really felt as though they were playing songs to promote in rainbows. there were a few treats (they played The Bends) but tonight they played songs like Lucky which i just don't hear (especially since its the one song that skips on my Bends cd). They also played Street Spirit :D

Overall, i liked tonights performance much better than the festival. a pretty good set list (in my opinion) and Thom just seemed more talkative. At one point in the show the lights facing the audience went on and he just seemed surprised at how many people were in attendance. He responded with a "well, hello" or a "oh, HI" or something like that.

also the crowd (in my section at least) seemed a lot more easy going than the festival. I"m not really sure why. We weren't waiting around in three digit weather for hours and of course the bowl is just a more "polite" place to be than most places.

hopefully tomorrow's show is just as good.

JONNY:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 01:35:46


This show transcends anything that ive expewrienced before. The setlist was great and they played every song off "in rainbows" which was cool. The lights had me in awe all night. Thom stopped playing during "Street spirit, fade out" and said "Im british, i do what i want." Classic. Thank you radiohead for saving my life.

GIULIANA:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 02:03:04


wow. how can i even begin to describe. twice have i been in the VERY front at a radiohead concert, and i thought nothing could ever top that. but this came ridiculously close. every song was as expected nothing less than AMAZING. they played soo many of my favorites. how to disappear completely, climbing up the walls, gloaming reckoner lucky pyramid song I could go on. id also like to mention that i never dance, i dont know maybe theres something wrong with me, but i usually hate it. but radiohead concerts are the only occasion and the only music that can get me moving nonstop. to me thats kind of a big deal. im seeing them three more times this week and I CANT WAIT.

CHRIS:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 02:12:55


What a night, as expected. With 3rd row pit tickets, I had higher expectations for this show than I can remember in recent history. The band definitely showed up to play and seemed to be having a blast doing so. The lights during "Dollars & Cents" was a sight to see...absolutely amazing...

GIULIANA:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 02:23:36


i forgot to mention street spirit! thom stopped in the middle of it cause i think the other members werent ready or something "bollocks[...] thats english"
classic.

MICHELLE:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 07:37:15


Wow....Greatest show experience ever!!!! Radiohead rocks my worldly socks off. Radiohead is so fucking special, they don't belong here. Amazing.

CZR RKNR:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 07:59:13


Amazing show, as always! Everything went very smooth - especially Videotape. I saw them perform in New Jersey for All Points West, and I remember they were having technical issues getting adjusted to the "newer way" of playing the song, but this time around at the Hollywood Bowl, it couldn't be more perfect. I got to see them at a further distance and got to appreciate the lighting more than the last time. Simply impeccable (hats off to the lighting engineers). Thom started playing Street Spirit (Fade Out) and stopped for a moment (I think it wasn't a part of the set list) said a few words (Couldn't really understand), and finished the song...

great show!

JODYTHECREEP:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 09:57:00


1st of all the new lights & stage design r SICK!!! it was really amazing, and completely original. as far as the music i thought the setlist was a little slow, but in my experience it always is the first night when they r staying 4 2 nights. it just didn't seem like thom could stay in the zone...something was off, although the show started amazing. 2 b honest the show was completely ruined by the vapid, drunken, pig-like american, frat boys, and *unty hollywood chix. people just wouldn't shut the fuck up!!! especially during the quite stuff...faust arp, exit music, etc. i felt like i was at a frat party more than a radiohead show, and it's really strange because it's not an easy tic 2 get and they r generally pretty expensive so u would think people wouldn't piss away the experience. something in me feels like thom was trying 2 b greatful, but wanted 2 tell everyone 2 shut the fuck up...i know he hates that shit. i am really really hoping that it is a different vibe 2nite. i have a box so hopefully i will b more isolated from the cocksuckery going on around me. in the end radiohead can't really do any wrong...they r always real. c u @ the show 2nite. keep yer ass shut please. i really just want 2 zone out with a spliff and listen. i really don't care if that sounds self absorbed...it's actually the opposite.

JGREENWOOD=GOD:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 12:15:12


I'm going to tonight's show, but I can't agree more with the above reviewer. Nothing is more annoying than people who talk during shows, just watch, cheer, and sing some songs. Hope it's better tonight.

EL JACALITO:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 13:01:54


Great show. The reason Thom stopped in the middle of Street Spirit was that he was supposed to be playing reckoner then Street Spirit. The guys "Jonny and Ed had the wrong guitars. After Thom stopped he said something to the effect of "I started the wrong song" "Should I continue"? they switched Guitars.It was priceless.

MURDERMILE:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 13:20:33


actually thom started singing the wrong lyrics to street spirit. thats what he said after he stopped at least. i loved it though, he just picked up right where he left off.

DREW H.:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 13:34:12


I think Radiohead have a love/hate relationship with LA... They must appreciate incredible venues like the Bowl and the Greek as well as the huge enthusiasm from the fans, but I also think they must have a distaste for the Hollywood types that infiltrate their LA shows. One of Thom's few comments, although cryptic, sounded as though he was trying to slag someone, or some people off. Being my 6th RH show, the set list overall was the most mellow collection of songs I have ever seen them do, but it was beautiful.. Gorgeous music for a gorgeous summer night. I think they played every one of their environmentally focused songs, which again may be an LA thing. I'm sure they noticed the smog too when they arrived into town. But overall, and amazing show!

MARK:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 14:42:57


Show was fantastic last night !! This was my 10th radiohead show and 4th at the Hollywood Bowl. The crowd in our section L1 was very not into it. The last few times the crowd at the bowl were fantastic. At least they were respectful and quiet though. The setlist was great and the band just sounded perfect. I noticed way more guitar nuances and noises on this tour than any other.

Saw some celeb sightings too. Justin Timeberlake and Jessica Beal with Ellen Degeneres and wife, Ron Howard, Bradley Cooper, Breckin Meyer, Seth Green. They all were headed for good seats while mine were shitty.

BIGBAWB:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 15:03:41


Amazing show, great set, incredible vibe. Lighting design was fantastic. Plus beautiful, warm SoCal night.
Sound impeccable at the Bowl, even in the way back seats we had. I think distance from the stage made the light show even better. Was in a great section of clappers, dancers, dopers and singers who shut down two loud talkers during Faust Arp with a gentle "Ladies, please!"
Radiohead is the most incredible live band. Love the cds but live is a near religious experience.

IDIOT:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 15:19:04


I was not at the show but i can still tell you the show was amazing.

TWEEZER:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 15:24:48


Did they really play:

20. Subterranean Homesick Alien

???

DREW H.:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 15:39:11


Message to Cindy: Maybe the reason that "Lucky" skips on your The Bends CD is because it is on OK Computer...

IAN:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 17:14:01


An incredible night, no doubt about it.

Thom's vocals sounded better than I had ever seen on YouTube, he was really on. The whole band was on, they were succinct and perfectly together on every song, except maybe CUTW, which was still awesome.

We were treated to Pyramid Song, HTDC, Street Spirit, and so many more unbelievable songs. Each had its own twist. The long HTDC intro, Johnny going nuts on Jigsaw, the added instrumentation on Videotape, and a thrilling light show tied it all together. The lights for TNA and Lucky were especially stellar.

10/10 performance, Radiohead is unbelievably good, it's scary.

Oh, on a side note, I couldn't stand "Liars," the opening act. They were just plain bad.

CHRISTIAN:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 18:26:22


I agree with some of the comments above. It was a very mellow set and quite a few loaded idiots took advantage of the situation to make the night about them rather than the music. There were a couple of really intimate moments (notably, Faust Arp with just Thom and Ed). The sanctity of these few minutes was contstantly interrupted by idiots shouting inane, unintelligible bullshit. Very irritating.

This is the fourth time I've seen the band and the second at Hollywood Bowl. The first time I saw them was also at the Bowl. Thom ended the show with "True Love Waits." After the applause died down and the lights came on, there was an overwhelming silence that I noticed amongst the crowd. Really unusual. All the way down the hill from the Bowl, there was barely a word spoken by anyone. It was really odd (almost eerie) but somehow, really uniquely fit the experience. It seemed somehow appropriate. Add to that the very quiet respectful tone of the crowd throughout the show.

Last night had none of that. Most of the people all around me spent the night getting high, making out and talking. If that's what you're into. Awesome. But I'm really into Radiohead. I paid a lot of money to enjoy my favorite band. I don't want to hear how great the pot you bought was, what you want to do to those titties when you get to the car or how you really hope they'd do "Creep." Please...go see some other band.

ANDY:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 19:42:21


well i have to say it was a fantastic show. the lights were amazing. crowd was LOADED with LA doosh sacks. i often saw people texting and raging like it was a jimmy buffet show. i think the band felt this vibe and imo they cut the set a bit short. wish i could go tonight but not really up for the $$$ everyone is asking. have fun if you can go!

JOY:
Submitted on: AUGUST 25, 2008 19:43:45


Interesting how this fabulous set was also the exact set at the Cuyahoga Falls concert on 8-04-08. Is this the first time during the 2008 tour that they performed an exact repeat set?

MARA:
Submitted on: AUGUST 26, 2008 01:04:22


How about Thom stumbling on the lyrics for "Faust Arp"?

At one point he made a comment that the next song was inspired by Los Angeles. We thought that was a prelude to "Fake Plastic Trees" but then they launched into "Paranoid Android". Nice!

I agree that this was the most selfish, disrespectful Radiohead audience ever. NOTE TO LOS ANGELES CONCERTGOERS: "Exit Music (For a Film)" is NOT the optimal moment during which to scream "WOOOO" at the top of your lungs. Really.

Lousy audience aside, this show was superb. The acoustics at the Bowl are just amazing. The light show looked even more spectacular than usual against the mountain backdrop. Set list was strong and the band was at the top of their game despite a couple of amusing goofs. But then, when aren't they?

JG:
Submitted on: AUGUST 26, 2008 02:43:04


Whoever said they never hear Lucky b/c of a skip on their Bends record has a bad skip there. A skip straight to 97, for OKComputer... ;)

Great show - yepyep!!

MIKE:
Submitted on: AUGUST 26, 2008 11:18:28


Well 16 years after my very first radiohead gig-who would have thought we would be here 16 years later at the Hollywood Bowl, LA?
This was my 32nd Radiohead gig-seeing them in England, Netherlands, Germany, Japan, USA and Australia...wow! I don't consider myself to be one of those obsessive fans, but I have been in the right place a lot.
So this was my favourite radiohead gig in the USA-my sixth in the four years I've lived here. Far better than the previous Hollywood Bowl dates I have seen. For the first time I was struck by how good the lights were, this is for someone who is usually cynical about lights and effects. But there was a perfect blend to the sound and lights.
The set list was dominated by 'In Rainbows' songs quite naturally of course, with a healthy spattering of others but very few from 'the bends' or before. So 25 songs, highlights for me were 'Pyramid Song' and 'national anthem' but for the past two days 'Videotape' is stuck in my head.
So it was great stuff-all for $75!!! Memorable I am sure, even for someone who has seen some of the best radiohead shows ever-South Park, Oxford-hello!!! Don't think I could work out how great it was compared to the other 31 shows but definitely the best radiohead show in the US for me!

ANDREW:
Submitted on: AUGUST 26, 2008 12:38:53


Same setlist as the Cleveland show. Weird

GRAVITY ALWAYS WINS:
Submitted on: AUGUST 27, 2008 12:04:57


Amazing show Sunday. Mellow and beautiful. Was stuck in a section where none of the people wanted to stand (kind of lame). Lights were amazing (National Anthem)
It was my fourth show not my favorite. That honor goes to Radio City Music hall several years back.

Can't wait for Thursday in Santa Barbara smaller more intimate venue.
Only complaint: No songs from the second In Rainbows disc
would have loved to hear Down is the New Up

QUESTION: Can anyone acurately say what Thom said at the beginning of Street Spirit? (conflicting reports)

JIMMY WONG:
Submitted on: AUGUST 27, 2008 17:18:20


my mistake on

20. Subterranean Homesick Alien

i had a few songs when I was writing down the setlist that i wasn't sure of at the time, messed up on that one.

Z3NBRAIN:
Submitted on: AUGUST 27, 2008 18:38:40


wasn't the same setlist as blossom, although it was supposed to be.

blossom had reckoner ---> street spirit.

the SETLIST for HB1 was reckoner ---> street spirit, which would have made the two sets literally identical.

But Thom accidentally started playing Street Spirit first, and as another reviewer has noted, it seemed like he stopped, talked with the band... and they continued on with it... instead of playing Reckoner first, like the setlist said.


Also, this mistake would have also been clear, if only because Colin was standing up by Ed... and the only time he does that is on Reckoner.


Anyways, yes... this set was originally identical to Blossom's.... except that Thom made the mistake of playing Street Spirit first, thus saving it from being an exact copy.

D:
Submitted on: AUGUST 28, 2008 16:33:59


Damn it was good!! The show was truly amazing both musically and visually.

ANDERS:
Submitted on: SEPTEMBER 02, 2008 01:22:51


Great gig, they played Street Spirit, maybe their best song.

But The Hollywood Bowl is not good for rock gigs, the staqe is too small.

JEN:
Submitted on: SEPTEMBER 06, 2008 22:10:38


My husband and I managed to get tickets to Sunday's show in LA at the same time we were to be in Las Vegas.

It was our 3rd time seeing Radiohead (we had seen them twice in New York in 2006). We're from Canada, a place where Radiohead rarely tours, so we were extremely excited to have had the opportunity to see them again.

Although we missed out on Fake Plastic Trees (my all-time favorite song), I can't complain. Like my husband says, this is the one time where Radiohead will be playing all the songs from In Rainbows (an amazing album) and it is a moment in time. There will never be a setlist that will be perfect, or a setlist that will make everyone happy. Everyone has their ideal show. But the band will never focus solely on those songs from In Rainbows in the same way ever again, and I feel lucky to have been one of the few to have seen them at this point in their career.

EL JACALITO:
Submitted on: SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 00:14:44


Thanks for the agreement Z3NBrain. Thom stated...not word for word but something like... "oops I started the wrong song". Shall I go ahead and finish?