Radiohead get political in triumphant Glastonbury set
Radiohead made a triumphant return to Glastonbury Festival on Friday evening (June 23) with a set laced with hits, rarities and plenty of politics.
The band's appearance marked 20 years since their legendary 1997 headline set, so had extra gravitas weighing on it.
However, they drew from across their wide catalogue, opening with latest album A Moon Shaped Pool track 'Daydreaming' before launching into OK Computer cut 'Lucky'.
The band are celebrating two decades since OK Computer's release and so unsurprisingly included quite a few of its tracks, including 'Airbag' and 'Let Down'.
Yet they varied the set too, with more experimental songs such as Kid A's 'Idioteque' and Hail to the Thief's 'Myxomatosis' played earlier. The latter part of the set was laced with older hits like 'Fake Plastic Trees','Paranoid Android' and the rarely-played 'Creep'.
However, politics seemed an inevitable touchstone given Radiohead's history in activism, with frontman Thom Yorke taking plenty of digs at Theresa May.
He quoted the Prime Minister's much-derided election slogan "strong and stable" during 'Myxomatosis', and later quipped: "See you later Theresa, just shut the door on the way out."
theresa may got her marching orders #Radiohead pic.twitter.com/LOXc45Kg8N
- cass~(/ω・\) (@kitsunecass) June 23, 2017
During the set, the frontman blasted "useless politicians", to which the crowd chanted "oh Jeremy Corbyn!" – the band then began to join the audience in the chant.
Yorke also praised the festival's organisers, saying: "To the Eavis' and your lovely farm, thank you for having us today. There's nothing else like it on Earth."
Many viewers were pretty spellbound by the whole thing:
What I love about #Radiohead is how organic their live sets sound. Every time it's unique and new. Truly the best musicians out there.
- Olly Gibbs (@ollyog) June 23, 2017
.@thomyorke is just a damn God.
- Mathew Horne (@mfhorne) June 23, 2017
This song truly makes me lament my youth. Just going for a cry. #Radiohead
- Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) June 23, 2017
This Radiohead set is like unwrapping Christmas presents when you were a kid
- Steve Carr (@EveryRecord) June 23, 2017
Wish I was at Glastonbury. Brilliant set #radiohead
- ☆ (@notmuchcheers) June 23, 2017
#Radiohead sounding awesome. Must be pretty special to be there.
- Tom Riordan (@tomriordan) June 23, 2017
Absolutely loving the #Radiohead set at #Glastonbury2017 Incredible. 💜 https://t.co/gOsed2jJDH
- Naomi (@Fabugloss) June 23, 2017
Currently mesmerised by Radiohead at Glastonbury. I know not everyone 'gets' them, but it baffles me why not.
- Mike Gillespie (@mikegillespie1) June 23, 2017
Let's all stop to appreciate how absolutely class Radiohead are. Can't get much better than this.
- Amy Barton (@amytwittur) June 23, 2017
Radiohead have me like this #Radiohead #Glasto pic.twitter.com/H7EdIKuiBn
- Mat Davies (@RafaDavies) June 23, 2017
There's two kinds of people: those who appreciate Radiohead, and wrong people. #Glastonbury2017
- Tom Fletcher (@tomfletcher89) June 23, 2017
Though others were just not feeling it:
Watching Radiohead I feel the same as when I catch Eastenders. Just ocassionally I recognise something I know. #glastonbury17
- Richard Osman (@richardosman) June 23, 2017
#Glastonbury2017 radiohead what's this all about? pic.twitter.com/RDw6zuKN14
- Hughesy (@Greg_Freck) June 23, 2017
Like Radiohead. But the non tunes stuff is just too much like Jazz Odyssey from Spinal Tap. #glastonbury
- Iain Martin (@iainmartin1) June 23, 2017
To Whoever Organises #Glastonbury .... I am more than happy to replace Radiohead next year ... with my Bucket & Spade ... #Useless
- Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 23, 2017
Radiohead played the following:
'Daydreaming'
'Lucky'
'Ful Stop'
'Airbag'
'15 Step'
'Myxomatosis'
'Exit Music (For A Film)'
'Pyramid Song'
'Everything in its Right Place'
'Let Down'
'Bloom'
'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi'
'Idioteque'
'You And Whose Army'
'There There'
'Bodysnatchers'
'Street Spirit (Fade Out)'
'No Surprises'
'Nude'
'2+2=5'
'Paranoid Android'
'Fake Plastic Trees'
'Lotus Flower'
'Creep'
'Karma Police'
Glastonbury continues tomorrow with a headline set by Foo Fighters on the Pyramid Stage, before Ed Sheeran closes the weekend on Sunday.
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