In the months before my Radiohead concerts, I made lists upon lists -- all of the songs I wanted to hear the most, the songs I would kill to hear live (even though several of them were dropped from the live sets years ago, and I knew I would never get them). I revised and scrapped countless lists. I waited and hoped, watching every setlist on the tour to see if they would play some of my favourites in other cities, disappointed when some of my old favourites never made it back, jealous when other cities got my favourite rare songs.Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the night of epic greatness that was Radiohead @ Hollywood Bowl, Night 2. I knew going in that if Radiohead is playing the same city 2 nights in a row, the second night is always better. I knew that being in a boxseat would change everything. I knew... but I didn't know.I should have known when we walked right past Keanu Reeves on our way in the door that this was going to be something. I should have known when I got to my box and the 3 people I was sitting with were absolutely lovely, and we spent Liars' entire set mocking them and covering our ears, and anticipatorily geeking out about Radiohead. I knew, but I didn't know.And then the house lights dimmed, and we jumped out of our chairs. Literally, everyone on the Terrace jumped out of our seats, cheering and clapping and screaming in anticipation. My legs were shaking, and I couldn't hold my camera still, so I pocketed it for later. The stage lights came up. The band walked out. Thom was wearing his red pants of joy. I knew, from that moment, that this would be the set of a lifetime. This was that setlist:ReckonerOptimisticThere There15 StepAll I NeedPyramid SongWeird Fishes/ArpeggiThe GloamingVideotapeTalk Show HostFaust ARPTell Me Why (Neil Young cover)No SurprisesJigsaw Falling Into PlaceThe BendsThe National AnthemNudeBodysnatchers----House of CardsPlanet TelexGo SlowlyFake Plastic TreesTrue Love Waits/Everything In Its Right Place----Cymbal RushKarma PoliceIdiotequeThere were far too many highlights in this show to choose just a few. I will try, but seriously, I spent this setlist thinking to myself "They can't possibly play anything to top this" and then each subsequent song did precisely that. They blindsided me with several songs I never dreamt I would get, especially True Love Waits, and the Neil Young cover, both of which were awe inspiring. At several points during the set, I turned to the lovely couple behind me and said aloud "Oh my god, I don't believe this is really happening!!" and they just smiled and nodded, this not being their first Radiohead tour.At one point during the set, Thom pointed to the kids in the nosebleeds and said a quick hello to them, and I realised when I looked back the sheer magnitude of the night -- thousands and thousands of people, just as lucky as me. A literal sea of people clapping, cheering, dancing, and basking in the gloriousness of the night.As I said earlier, it is impossible to choose my favourite moments, because this entire night keeps replaying in my memory as one of the most amazing (if not the most amazing) nights of my life. I will try to narrow it down to 10, but seriously, every single song in this set was absolutely amazing. Here goes:10. Karma Police -- this was one for the good days, and also one for everyone singing along to. And PianoJonny.9. Cymbal Rush -- just Thom and his piano. Just a beautiful song from his solo album. Just a crowd who knew enough to be silent at all the right moments. Just amazing.8. Tell Me Why (Neil Young Cover) -- this was breathtaking. Thom, Jonny, 2 acoustic guitars, and a whole lot of incredible. 10,000 people sat silent, rapt. It was remarkable.7. Fake Plastic Trees -- this song has broken my heart since the first time I heard it. Live, it is every bit as vulnerable. Remarkably, 10,000 people singing along, and it is still just as vulnerable, and entirely as brilliant.6. Planet Telex -- I never dreamt I would get this, but when I heard Jonny casually strum the first chords, letting the suspense build as it dawned on us that we were actually getting Planet Telex, I knew I was a lucky, lucky girl.5. No Surprises -- such a pretty song and such a pretty setlist, and this was very nearly too much for my little heart.4. Talk Show Host -- a personal favourite of mine, and it sounds absolutely brilliant live -- Jonny and Thom rocked the hell out of this song, and I was ecstatic to get it.3. True Love Waits/Everything In Its Right Place -- every night when Thom begins EIIRP, he works in a couple lines from another song -- sometimes a Radiohead song, sometimes a cover song, but it's always something. However, in the depths of my little hopes, I never would've dreamt we'd get True Love Waits -- and when I heard the first lines, I was in utter disbelief -- until he kept going, and we got nearly the entire song. I've always loved TLW, and considering they've not played it in years (and have only played it 21 times out of 540 shows), it was an absolute coup that we got as much of it as we did.2. The Bends -- one of my old favourites, and one that I haven't heard done so well in years -- this one absolutely took me back to the beginnings of my love for Radiohead, and it was glorious.1. Go Slowly -- this is a new song, and the first time I heard it when I got my discbox, I immediately fell in love with it. This is Radiohead at their most stripped and essential, and Jonny playing the celeste on the record is so atmospheric -- this song breaks my heart and puts it back together, and I love it for that. I never dreamt I would actually get this song live, and was in shock when the lights went to dark blue and the first chords were played. It does sound a little bit different live, but it was every bit as beautiful and haunting as I hoped it would be.I am the luckiest girl in the world. When the house lights came up, after the guys had waved and exited the stage, I just stood there for a minute, stunned. This really happened, it dawned on me, this really happened and I was here. The weight of it was nearly unbearable -- this setlist is one for the ages, and quite possibly one of the best ever. This was more than I ever expected, and more than I think I deserved. But I recognise just how lucky I am. All the way home in the car, my friend and I were nearly speechless -- all we seemed to be able to say was "Oh my god, that just happened." I have no idea how they will top this setlist for Santa Barbara... but I can't wait to find out.From the pit.
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