"Shut up and dance!"

I put World Cup blogging on hold for a Radiohead break, although the Brasil match with Kaka's winning goal and the fan taking the field (must-see video clip) provided more comedy riches ("Kaka in the hole!" or, what if Kaka had hit the fan? It never ends).

VHM got us last-minute box tickets in the Theater at Madison Square Garden. I surveyed the audience after the Black Keys finished their set. It is a portrait of hipsters with money; click to enlarge and see scenes from the hottest ticket in town:

A Portrait of Hipsters with Money

The set list featured many new songs, one of which sounded New Order-esque:

1. "You And Whose Army?"
2. "The National Anthem"
3. "2+2=5"
4. "15 Step"
5. "Morning Bell"
6. "Arpeggi"
7. "Videotape"
8. "Kid A"
9. "Fake Plastic Trees"
10. "Climbing Up The Walls"
11. "Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)" a.k.a. "Nude"
12. "Bangers 'n Mash"
13. "Idioteque"
14. "There There"
15. "Street Spirit"
16. "Bodysnatchers"
17. "Lucky"

Encore 1
18. "I Might Be Wrong"
19. "Down Is The New Up"
20. "The Bends"
21. "Silent Night" > "Everything In Its Right Place"

Encore 2
22. "House of Cards"
23. "How to Disappear Completely"

You bet I danced. I say with absolute certainty that I danced more than anyone in that pathetic audience. The pit looked listless, like a group surveying a series of Rembrandts. I discussed the World Cup with one of the drunk guys in our box before the show started; he was from Mexico. But he tried to chitchat throughout the show until I finally shouted, "Shut up and dance!"

Thom's masterful voice lilts unexpectedly, especially during one part of "Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)." My video clip is messy but illustrates the point:

So don't get any big ideas, they're not going to happen.

Thom rocks it out at MSG (photo by the talented VHM)

We sang along to many of the songs, placing emphasis on choice lines:

• Just 'cause you feel it, doesn't mean it's there
• We are accidents/waiting to happen
• It wears me out, it wears me out
• And if I could be who you wanted/If I could be who you wanted/All the time, all the time
• I feel my luck could change
• It's gonna be a glorious day!
• I wanna live, breathe/I wanna be part of the human race

Tom bangs the drums

The climax was definitely "The Bends." The crowd went wild; everyone sang along and danced; we put our arms around strangers and sang to one another. We felt euphoric—indeed, at ease.