Radiohead in 100 gigs
I’m standing outside the Prague Vystaviste with a hot dog in my hand. As I cross the car park in front of the deserted art nouveau industrial palace, I receive a text message: ppl stood up - open soon - hurry! I speed walk through the first set of gates, past a line of empty… Continue reading 100. Prague, Vystaviste, 23rd August 2009
It is October 22, 1992. I am 17 years old and, to be honest, I’m not enjoying it very much. I’m in the 6th form at a draconian Catholic school in a town called Mansfield. It’s a place whose cultural life consists of a bowling alley, a dilapidated cinema and the world’s ugliest bus station.… Continue reading It all starts with a song called ‘Creep’.
The early 1990s. It’s hard to imagine now, how teenagers got along without mobile phones, the internet or MP3s or how I got along without going to gigs. When every Wednesday meant a visit to the newsagents to buy the weekly music papers NME and Melody Maker and Radio One had yet to launch its Evening Session.… Continue reading 1. Nottingham, Trent Uni Union, 15 February 1993
Pablo, Come to Florida… Looking back on it, Radiohead’s debut album Pablo Honey didn’t have the same initial impact on me that Creep did. But albums take more time to get rooted into your system than single songs. Particularly a song with the immediacy of Creep. I went into town after school to buy a… Continue reading Pablo Honey / Pop Is Dead. March – May 1993.
For my second gig ever, I feel slightly more prepared. I have a ticket and I’ve come dressed for the occasion in my band T-shirt and a floppy black cap that keeps my hair out of my face. The venue is in the same building as the last show, but this time it’s in the… Continue reading 2. Nottingham, TNTUUS, 1 May 1993
On June 2, 1993, I get another letter from Thom. I’d replied after the first one, and then again in a volley of excitement after the second gig. This one is addressed from the “Radiohead Helpline”. He apologises for taking so long to reply, but they are starting to get a lot of letters now.… Continue reading “You want fame? Right here’s where you start paying for it in corporate cheques” * – June 1993
29th August 1993. Radiohead cancel their appearance at the Reading Festival at the last minute, in the week before Creep is re-released as a single; it’s still a relatively rare thing for a record company to do so soon after the original release, which was only just under a year ago. The ever-suspicious British music… Continue reading 3. Glasgow, Barrowlands, 3 September 1993
In October 1993, I finally make it to University. I move into shared accommodation in Glasgow. I’m right next to the library and within 20 minutes walk of about five record shops and within staggering distance of the student union. I start my courses. I soon realise that I feel completely out of my depth.… Continue reading From The Bedroom To The Universe. October 1993
The James tour, which Thom has so been dreading, reaches the UK on December 1st. The first gig is at Glasgow Barrowlands. I make my way there at 3pm taking the underground into town and then walking the rest of the way, my stomach in knots. I’m not sure why I’m going so early, but… Continue reading 4. Glasgow, Barrowlands, 1 December 1993
I don’t get much sleep over the next few days. I’ve phoned Val for the first time to arrange meeting her in Manchester. Radiohead’s PR has tipped her off that the band will be doing a signing in a record shop on the afternoon before the gig and that James, whose hometown is Manchester, will… Continue reading 5. Manchester, GMEX, 4 December 1993