Setlist: All I Need/There There/Lucky/Bangers and Mash/15 Step/Nude/Pyramid Song/Optimistic/Arpeggi/The National Anthem/Idioteque/You and Whose Army/Reckoner/Everything In Its Right Place/Airbag/Bodysnatchers/Videotape
First Encore: The Gloaming/The Tourist/Just/Faust Arp/Exit Music
Second Encore: The Bends/House of Cards

Seeing Radiohead outside at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa last night was exactly what you’d expect them to be, great. This wasn’t my first time hearing In Rainbows material, but it was the first time being familiar with those songs upon arrival. Opening with “All I Need” was a little bit of a let down considering the blistering opening set by Liars, combined with huge anticipation of seeing one of the best live bands in the biz these days. I guess I prefer to start out rocking, but instead enjoyed a slow build up to the rocking that surfaced later mid-set.

“Bangers and Mash” is an absolute monster live, you could feel the audience pulse start to beat a little bit faster once it reared its place in the set. In Rainbows was, of course, flaunted early and often throughout the night. As great as that record is, hearing the songs live enhanced their appeal, to the point that I don’t know if I’ll ever truly be able to appreciate the album as much going forward. “Nude” has to be one of the sexiest songs in the band’s arsenal, that baseline is downright infectious. The peak of the evening was “The National Anthem” followed by “Idioteque,” the former being one of my absolute all-time favorite songs that I’ll never grow tired of hearing, especially live. I was also thrilled to hear the opening notes of “The Gloaming” from Hail To The Thief start off the first encore.

There were more than a few grumbles amongst the audience that we didn’t get either OK Computer favorites/standards “Karma Police” or “No Surprises” but I honestly didn’t miss them. I really couldn’t complain with a set that included everything previously mentioned plus “Pyramid Song” and “The Bends.” However, if I was going to complain, it would reside with the decision to start and end the show with ballads. Don’t get me wrong “House Of Cards” is one of the brightest moments on the new album, a new live staple, I just don’t want to be sent home with that being my last taste of the band live until August.

Minor complaints aside, one of the best nights of my concert going years. I also got to the bottom of Radiohead’s ability to do the Pay What You Want model for their most recent release: $40 T-shirts. Anybody who has a ticket to the remainder of this tour is in for a good 3 hours plus worth of live music (including Liars – don’t miss them!) and money well spent. I’m glad I had the chance to see them this tour with a reserved seat because seeing them at Lollapalooza is going to be all sorts of crazy, but I’m still not gonna miss being in that crowd.

Question: Of course I’m aware of this, but isn’t it time for a full-length Radiohead live album?

Myspace: Radiohead