Radiohead in 100 gigs
The British seaside is not quite as exciting as going to new territories like Copenhagen or Lisbon for a gig, but the rituals are the same. Today I queue, there's a line down the outside of the venue, a guy compliments my shoes “nice dabs!” I really don’t remember much beyond that. Gabi is still… Continue reading 81. Blackpool, Empress Ballroom, 13 May 2006
We have a day off to travel to Wolverhampton. In spite of all my planning for this tour, this is the one place where finding accommodation has been problematic. There just aren’t that many places to stay in the city centre. My budget is already busted by all the gig tickets and travel costs. I… Continue reading 82. Wolverhampton, Civic Hall, 15 May 2006
We survive another night in 'Guest House Paradiso'… and are the earliest customers in the M&S café. With little else to do but wander round taking photos, we end up eating in the same place again, after a short while I realise that George Michael is still playing on a loop. By mid afternoon I can… Continue reading 83. Wolverhampton, Civic Hall, 16 May 2006
In the clapped-out room in Wolves Gabi makes a video of Yasuko and I, trying to perfect our clapping along to 15 Step and falling about laughing. Somehow we all make it to London and go to the various places where we have beds for the night (we're crashing at Ken's bachelor pad in The… Continue reading 84. London, Hammersmith Apollo, 18 May 2006
I have an almighty hangover. Earplugs and eye mask only get you so much sleep on the floor of an open plan flat with three other people in it. Regrouping in the shopping centre at Hammersmith, Gabi and I have a meal but I’m still feeling a little unusual by the time we head to… Continue reading 85. London, Hammersmith Apollo, 19 May 2006
News of Thom’s solo album spreads gradually. We’ve seen the artwork (at Stanley’s Lazrides show), he’s confirmed to me it’s not drum n bass… but what will it sound like? Has he played us any of the songs? (Just one, as it turns out, Cymbal Rush at Koko. Told you it didn’t sound like a… Continue reading The Eraser. 2006.
A northern show to balance out the two consecutive V Festival appearances (money in the bank against any future risks to be taken while being without a label). Tacked on to the T on the Fringe bill, although this show is a headline gig and not a true festival appearance, everything in Edinburgh in August… Continue reading 86. Edinburgh, Meadowbank Stadium, 22 August 2006
I arrive the day before and hire a bike. My paper map of Amsterdam blows out of the basket early on so I go back to some of my favourite places – Kitsch Kitchen, the shops in the Jordaan, looking for coloured tights in de Bijenkorf the department store near the Dam Square… I like… Continue reading 87. Amsterdam, Heineken Music Hall, 28 August 2006
Jonny’s new piece, Popcorn Superhet Receiver, is being played at a concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. (The full programme: BBC Concert Orchestra - Red, White and Blue. Anne Dudley - Northern Lights, Steve Martland - Crossing the Border , Joe Duddell - Shadowplay, Jonny Greenwood - Popcorn Superhet Receiver (Thomas Carroll - cello, Robert… Continue reading 88. Jonny Greenwood & BBC Concert Orchestra London, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 24 November 2006
I stay in London for a few days, see Nouvelle Vague play at Bloomsbury Theatre with a group of boardies and hang out with some London friends. Last time I was in touch with Mel she mentioned that if I was ever in the area I should drop in at the office, so for once… Continue reading Visit to W.A.S.T.E. HQ, 27 November 2006