“Radio head is me.” Anton Dolin* attended a Radiohead concert and wrote about what happened to music and to us

Film critic and friend of the Republic editor Anton Dolin attended a Radiohead concert and wrote a 10-page declaration of love for the British band, which he has been listening to non-stop for three decades. There was a place in it for lyrical memories, reportage, revision of the entire discography, and even Radiohead’s connections with cinema, art, and literature.

Once upon a time, I dreamed of becoming a music critic, but I never went further than an ordinary music lover. This is not “imposter syndrome” - I am an impostor when I talk or write about music, without which, however, I cannot imagine my life. Taking advantage of my long-standing listening experience and friendly relations with the editors of Republic, I nevertheless dare to formulate thoughts about my most favorite rock band - Radiohead. Moreover, there is a reason - the first tour in many years (the last album was released ten years ago), in which some see the promise of new music, while others see it as a farewell to the fans.

Radiohead and fame

Hundreds of thousands (not an exaggeration) of active members of fan communities around the world are counting round dates from the history of Radiohead, trying to predict and anticipate their every move - from this seemingly unexpected tour, which many managed to predict, to the set list of each concert. Such almost religious reverence for a rock band is, of course, not the first time in history, but in the case of Radiohead it is paradoxical and phenomenal in its own way. After all, almost all musicians, especially the most famous and prolific of them - singer and lyricist Thom Yorke and guitarist-multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood - are known for pathological modesty, evasiveness and non-publicity.

From the very beginning until now, Radiohead have been anti-star. This is both a deeply personal choice and a concept. Fame comes to them stage by stage as if out of spite. Or is this a subtle calculation?

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