Radiohead- Victoria Park, London 24/06/08

This really was a night to remember. Having got into London in the early afternoon, me and my mate Alex ditched our bags at our hostel and arrived at vicky park by about quarter to 4. After entering at 4 we met with other friends Natalie and Laura (along with a lot of their friends I unfortunately don't remember the names of) and finally Dan who arrived 2 hours later than we had previously agreed to meet him due to him being in Harrow for whatever reason.

Me, Dan and Alex stuck together and wandered around the site for a bit, until possible hghlight of the day arrive. We spotted Phil Selway wandering through the crowd! After trying to make sure it was him we got hi to sign our tickets let us have a picture with him. Lovely bloke he was. :)

Bat For Lashes came onstage at roughly 6.45. Her set was gorgeous folk lore laden and with a stunning array of instruments. There was unfortunately a power failure in the middle of her set forcing her to go offstage for a bit, but once it was fixed she came back on to finish her set. Good support choice indeed.

Then at 8.30 Radiohead appeared onstage and the manic drum machine clicks of '15 Step' started up. It kicked of the gig happily for everyone, who continued to cheer as they plyed a raukous version of 'Bodysnatchers'. 'All I Need' slowed proceedings a bit with Thom Yorkes vocals carrying the song. My first personal highlight though was when Johnny Greenwodd started playing sampled conversations and Colin Greenwoods pounding bass kicked in to announce the start of 'The National Anthem'. The band were at their grooviest best and I went a little bit mental.

They then slowed it don again with some gorgeous renditions of 'Pyramid Song', 'Nude' and a unexpectedly rousing take on 'Arpeggi'. The band smiled a fair bit through the set and you could tell that no matter how serious they looked onstage they were having fun. Things got minimal here as they performed 'The Gloaming' and 'Dollars and Cents'. both were brilliant.

Then, 3 songs of sheer amazingness. First 'There There' which made me smile like a fool and sing louldy. Then 'Just' where the crowd practically expoded. Unfortunately at this point some absolute twat in front of me tried to actually mosh to it. It's Radiohead not Slipknot you fool! 'Just' was still amazing though. Then highlight number 2 of the gig, 'Climbing Up The Walls'. How the atmosphere changed from exuberant to pure eerie was incredible, and the sheer emotion pouring from the performance blew me away.

'Reckoner' calmed the mood then Thom Yorke led the crowd in a chant of 'Free Tibet' before 'Everything In Its Right Place' hypnotised the crowd. Thom Yorke easily led the crowd along for a mass clap along at the climax as well. Highlight 3 then came along in the form of 'How To Disappear Completely'. I got very emotional as one of my all time favourite songs got played with grace and sensitivity.

The main set then ended with a pretty energetic run through of 'Jigsaw Falling Into Place'. Then after the band waved goodbye they quickly reappeared for their first encore. And what an encore it was. 'Videotape', 'Airbag', 'Banger + Mash', 'Planet Telex' and 'The Tourist'. Possibly the best encore I've ever experienced. All of the songs were moving completely carthartic. 'Planet Telex' and 'Airbag' especially were amazing and were highlights 4 and 5. 'Bangers + Mash' was also noticeable for Thom Yorke faux falling over in the middle of the song.

Encore number 2 was also very very good. Firstly Thom Yorke dashed onstage saying 'we haven't got much time so I better get on with it', performing a great version of his solo song 'Cymbal Rush'. 'You And Whose Army?' roused the crowd again and then to finish the gig off in style, 'Idioteque' ripped the stage apart with Thom providing his best glitchy dancing.

And then it finished. The band waved and bowed to the crowd to signal their final departure. I was left euphoric having finally seen one of my favourite bands after a 5 year wait. Me, Dan and Alex went to the barrier in a vague attempt to try and get something. After a while, a setlist was chucked in our direction and Alex practically fell over the fence to succeed in claiming it. We then proceeded to the merch desk and bought stuff there before returning to our destinations.

I absolutely loved the gig. The band played with passion and they played loads of songs I love. The setlist from the night after (as I write this, tonights setlist) had some songs I maybe would've prefered to hear. But I don't care too much. I'm off to see them again at Rock Werchter and I'm sure I'll see them again after that. The setlists are so wonderfully unpredictable and they're such a good band that I don't think I'll ever care what they play.