Maybe years of concert going in Los Angeles have made me a jaded cynic, but I have to admit some trepidation when I intially heard that Thom Yorke would be playing the ~700 person capacity Echoplex in the heart of LA’s hipster haven. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to several Radiohead shows across the country. I’ve met and spoken with Thom himself. I know firsthand how great of a stage performer this awkward looking Englishman can be. It’s just that… well, solo albums from celebrated frontmen usually end up being a disappointing affair. I wasn’t a huge fan of The Eraser, the album came off to me a bit flat and soulless. Plus, how in the world could this new band work out? Nigel I can understand, but Flea?? Is he going to come out on stage in nothing but a tube sock, and start slappin’ da bass I Love You Man style? I was worried the show would degenerate into an 80 minute masturbatory jam session with famous musicians.
Fortunately, Thom and the boys proved I was a complete douche for even entertaining those thoughts.
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