Between all their New York City gigs and more, I've gotten well into the double digits with Radiohead shows over the years, but last night was my first time seeing them since October 2003 - a break notable not only for its length but also for how little I actually listened to them. I think the time off was good for all parties. When you see a band so much, you like to see their treatment of the songs evolve, and Radiohead have always been quite good at that. Last night was no exception - the older songs seemed slightly stripped down and less bombastic, the grooves a bit more tweaked out and taut. "You And Whose Army?" worked well as an opener but things started to really click for me during "2+2=5." "Kid A" sounds different every time I see it, and last night's version was the most faithful I've heard. I think I prefer the looser, dancier version they were doing in '03, but the song still kills live - an automatic highlight. The Kid A songs in general (esp. "Morning Bell") were the best of the old ones - they're a bit more malleable and the band takes advantage. "The Bends," "Fake Plastic Trees," and "I Might Be Wrong" were also excellent.

The new songs were the night's clear highlights for me, though - "15 Step," "Bangers N Mash," "Bodysnatchers," "Down is the New Up," and "House of Cards" in particular. This was my first time hearing the new stuff and it's great to see the band exploring some new directions, with dance music and R&B definitely exerting some influence. Being a bit more familiar with it now, I can't wait to hear the new material again tonight. I'm also hoping the setlist gets a little crazier - they mostly stuck to their live staples last night, and "Planet Telex" and "The Tourist" would be wonderful additions for round II. My seats were my biggest gripe about the show - off to the left, next to some talkers, and feeling far away - but I'll be up close in the GA tonight. Looking forward to it!

The Black Keys were good as openers, though I think their two-man setup is best for their louder material. The slow songs had trouble keeping the crowd's attention. I liked them though. (The California Radiohead crowds are lucky enough to have Deerhoof as openers.)

SETLIST (via Atease)

You and Whose Army? / The National Anthem / 2 + 2 = 5 / 15 Step / Morning Bell / Arpeggi / Videotape / Kid A / Fake Plastic Trees / Climbing Up The Walls / Nude / Bangers N Mash / Idioteque / There There / Street Spirit / Bodysnatchers / Lucky

ENCORE I: I Might Be Wrong / Down is the New Up / The Bends / Everything In Its Right Place
ENCORE II: House of Cards / How To Disappear Completely