Radiohead @ Victoria Park June 25 2008

I was east side last night for the Radiohead gig at Vicky park. I got down there early as was well up for seeing Bat for Lashes who I was loving millions this time last year but who I still hadn't caught live. The sound was very good and Ms Khan sounded on form but then all the power cut after 3 songs. She then came back on after about 5 minutes and did I think 2 more songs...a little disappointing really:( But I have to say "Priscilla" did sound VERY good.

With no other support acts I think the ticket price was taking the mickey a bit. The standard price was £45 but touts were selling tickets outside 2 for £30!

If you compare that price top say a one day ticket at Reading or a day at some of the small festivals its not really very good value for money. All these things can really get on your nerves at a gig and set you up to not enjoy the main act so much.

However, Radiohead certainly lived up to their reputation as one of the best live bands. It's strange really as there is next to no communication between them and the audience in fact they seem incredibly distant. The hits are also few and far between and its bloody brave of them to do that. Thom Yorke sings and screams just like the "Creep" he claims to be. He is a haunting often quite frightening front man and when he sings “I get eaten by the worms and weird fishes,” on Weird Fishes/Arpeggi I genuinely felt a bit freaked out.

With the success of the latest offering "In Rainbows" it was pretty cool to hear a few of those tracks live for the first time. Most noticeable was the kickoff song "15 Step". With Yorke sounding extremely reminiscent of Mark E Smith. You know Tim Burton should call him up for one of his films!

The whole gig when put together definately did not get me going as anticipated but I think that's what radiohead strive for in a way. They are the only avant-garde stadium rock band and I suppose it means they can do what they damn well like!