When I heard Radiohead was coming to the US, I wanted to see them. It has been a long time desire, and I was looking to get tickets to Bonaroo. Then I heard they would be in Philly, and not just in Philly, but in my lovely Tower Theatre. Past the age of willingness to sweat in the mud, camp under the stars, share toothbrushes and soap with my tent neighbors and calm the drunk that follows me around
, I opted for the Tower.
I saw Lou Reed there twice, and Laurie Anderson once (United States). I went with my young niece and despite an attempt to get there early, it was jammed with traffic at 7:45. My niece knows it won't start until later, but my seasoned anxiety gets me passing the traffic, down a half mile and up into the side street parking. I am thinking of neighbors who lose their spots when a big act is in town, who put up with people like me jamming the streets and causing noise and more pollution, the kind of widom and empathy that only comes with age. I understand because of the bike race in Philly, where at my old house people just parked wherever they wanted, cops shut my street down and made me show id to get home. It was always great fun anyway, but a hassle when you had to get somewhere. We parked across from a huge open fenced field where teenagers were rapping and playing ball. I hoped that they would take pity on my car, understand the once in a lifetime need to see Radiohead, see all band members at one with their instruments, which makes me think of Phillip Glass
and Relache, groups that do the same thing.
We walk a long way, past the tickets beggers. I don't think I heard one offer of tickets for sale, just begging for any extra ticket. People littering the revived 69th Street hillside. New shops and clubs and eateries. Years ago it was the prime shopping distict, and had a Woolworths that was priceless, with a food cafe bar. We pushed in through the crowd, me in fear of my camera being discovered. I had it under a sweater, and the guard searched my canvas backpack with particular guile and savage paranoia. We were in. It was loud and steamy as we pushed past the beer bar. The air had a persistant cloud of smoke. Soon we were at our numbered seats, right on the aisle. I listened to conversations around me. I wonder why at a concert we all feel like we own the band, know more about the band, as if we live with the band and in some ca
ses, are willing to fight over the band. My niece and I laugh at this, and I cannot get over the fact that Radiohead are right here, right now and within easy sight. I am smitten. I am a Yorkeie. Instead of lit lighters, radiating cameraphones criss-crossed the crowd in the dark arena.
Not the smoke, nor the smell of skunk cabbage and body odors, nor the howling and spitting and the guy in front of me smoking cigarettes the whole time would dampen my great bliss.
Although I drank nothing, today I feel hungover. Couldn't sleep last night with the excitement of it all. I took two videos of the encore performances, one of No Surpises and the other...
Not sure if I can upload here or if it violates any laws if I do.
, I opted for the Tower.
and Relache, groups that do the same thing.
ses, are willing to fight over the band. My niece and I laugh at this, and I cannot get over the fact that Radiohead are right here, right now and within easy sight. I am smitten. I am a Yorkeie. Instead of lit lighters, radiating cameraphones criss-crossed the crowd in the dark arena.