The last time Radiohead played Ireland, I was starting secondary school and Obama had become president. That’s how long it has been. They played two dates at Malahide Castle nearly ten years ago with each night receiving two encores and entirely different set lists.
At Tn2 HQ, we’ve been trawling through the most recent setlists and statistics to guess what the guys might play tonight. If you’ve been lucky enough to get a ticket, here’s what you might hear.
The Predictions
1) Opener: ‘Daydreaming’
Radiohead has opened every single one of their 2017 dates with this dreamy number from A Moon Shaped Pool. I will be incredibly surprised if their Dublin date doesn’t follow suit but as it is with Thom Yorke and crew, they love to upset expectations.
Odds: 2/1 to open the show
2) Highlight: ‘Everything in Its Right Place’
The opening track of Kid A and one of the only redeeming things about the trainwreck that was Cameron Crowe’s Vanilla Sky, ‘Everything in Its Right Place’ seems to be one of only a handful of pre-In Rainbows Radiohead that the band still like to play. It’s a consistent feature on the 2017 setlists unlike ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’ and ‘Paranoid Android’ which seem to come and go as the band pleases. ‘Everything in Its Right Place’ is set to be a crowd pleaser as fans yearn for the older era of the band and take any slither of that musical era they can get.
Odds: 5/1 you’ll cry during the opening chords
3) The Bop: ‘Idioteque’
‘Idioteque’ sometimes gives me nightmares. But in fairness, so does ‘Paranoid Android’ when it gets to the part about the unborn chicken voices. Played at various different points throughout Radiohead shows in 2017; approach ‘Idioteque’ like the apocalyptic Glitch driven tune it is and just bop to the sounds of a track that you would think would be impossible to perform live. It’s a masterpiece and the fact that it is almost definitely going to be performed should make all attendees sing like angels in heaven.
Odds: 2/1 you might actually understand the lyrics to ‘Idioteque’ for once
4) The Finale: ‘Karma Police’?
After much research, it seems that Radiohead are going to close the gig – following two encores – with the track ‘Karma Police’. A solemn one to end on, ‘Karma Police’ will have crowds screaming “I lost myself” to people they don’t know. Not the most iconic Radiohead track, but a subtly emotional one to end an evening of subversive exploration.
The Unlikely Contenders
1) ‘House of Cards’
Radiohead played this soaring and heartbreaking song at one of their two Malahide gigs in 2008 following the release of In Rainbows. I would bury my boyfriend to hear this song live with its solemn guitar riff reverberating in the 3Arena. This overlooked gem hasn’t been featured once during 2017; left to be forgotten. A complete and utter shame.
Chances of Being Played: 90/1
2) ‘Lotus Flower’
‘Lotus Flower’ has been played in Berkeley, Denmark, Italy and even the Netherlands. It hasn’t appeared on every set list of 2017 but there’s a good possibility that ‘Lotus Flower’ and Thom Yorke’s iconic dance will make an appearance.
Chances of Being Played 10/1
3) ‘Fake Plastic Trees’
‘Fake Plastic Trees’ has been played twice in 2017, once in Sweden and once in Berkeley. Although it would be a dream come true for many to witness a live rendition of the song, the odds say it is highly unlikely. Other songs such as ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’ or ‘Exit Music (For a Film)’ are more likely. If you’re expecting ‘Creep’, you’ve come to the wrong show.
Chances of Being Played 32/1
Whatever is played this evening, just enjoy the performance. Radiohead have changed music and the music industry for better and/or for worse. It is rare to see them live and although the tickets were extortionately priced, especially for students, you are guaranteed an experience. Whether that experience is good or bad, ecstatic or crying into the palms of your hands or both, you will be seeing musicians that defined a generation, an era and, more importantly, music.
