DANIEL BECK:
Submitted on: MAY 31, 2005 18:15:58


It was a while ago and the both my first Glasto and my first experience of Radiohead live. Needless to my 1997 playlist was pretty heavily loaded with Radiohead.

My most vivid memory of the gig itself was actually the encore. They were the headline act so were on late and it was dark. Just before launching into Street Spirit as their exit music, Thom started shouting to someone backstage and then towards the sound desk in the middle of the crowd. "Turn the lights round towards the crowd" he shouted (or words to that effect), "I haven't seen them all night and I want to know what 100,000 people look like." (It was the year we all got in without tickets so numbers were about twice what they should have been.)

Anyway, Street Spirit was performed to us as we were illumianted by huge stage lights, it was really a priceless moment that was almost chilling and very energising. Live, there is no one better.
DB

JER:
Submitted on: SEPTEMBER 27, 2006 12:06:12


It should be noted that according to Q Magazine, this is the best British gig of all time, even topping the Beatles on the roof of Apple Studios.

CRAIG MOUNTAINE:
Submitted on: JANUARY 10, 2008 08:18:47


Glastonbury 1997 was the first time I'd seen Radiohead live and turned out to be the catalyst for what's been an obsession ever since. Although I only knew a few of the tracks on the setlist I knew I was witness to something special that I'd never forget. They were the friday night headliners and what with the bad weather and the ticket fiasco I'd say there were about 150,000 very happy souls there that night.
The whole set was amazing but I remember most vividly the fireworks during 'No Surprises', the use of the lighting for 'Talk show host' and best of all was Thom's reaction when he asked for the lighting to be turned onto the audience so he could see us just before 'Street Spirit' When he saw the scale of the audience and their reaction to the band he was obviously shocked as he gasped when the lighting was shone on us. Life changing experience ? Definitely!

BIG T:
Submitted on: JUNE 27, 2008 06:32:26


I'm prompted to write a review of the first Head gig I went to now...11 years ago now.. Just read Craig's review above and have to say my experience of that time and that album and what happened since have been pretty similar. First time I had heard Android was one of those rare stop the car moments. Being a (not so young) tyke I'd broken into Glasto and didn't even know Radiohead were playing.
It rained and rained then stopped in time for everyone to trudge to the main stage, the mud was helpful actually as it helped you root to the spot as it sucked your feet into the ground.
The intro tape was of a girls voice saying something about it being summer, that thing this band have of hitting you in the chest has a childlike quality, it's hard to explain but you know what I mean...
I remember during Exit Music Thom's voice seemed to come out over the crowd, it just seemed so huge. They were all in black with Johnny doing that thing that makes his back look really uncomfortable...they also looked like they were having a hard time of it. I don't know about best gig ever, I've seen them better but I think this was really the start of the affair for thousands of us so it holds a special place....
incidentally, I have a funny footnote, a couple of years ago I met a teacher from Abingdon School and asked him about Radiohead and he said 'Thom was completely out to lunch and I can't really remember the other ones, apart from Ed who was a lovely boy' Ha Ha rock n roll!