So let me elaborate. I went both nights. There was a huge difference in the setlist, at least half the songs changed from night 1 to night 2.
The King of Limbs stuff sounded amazing. In fact the absolute highlight of the first show for me was Thom and Johnny’s version of Give Up The Ghost. Just incredible.
Lotus Flower and Bloom were excellent early cuts. Where the show did wane for me – on both nights – The Gloaming, Reckoner, Feral, Nude, Body Snatchers etc. Just not, to me, strong enough songs to keep the show going.
This is not simply a case of ‘I like their old stuff better’, I really thought their newer tunes (And I include anything after Amnesiac in that ) came up far better than I expected. On the flipside, Airbag on the first night was a bit flat.
2nd night highlights for me though were the older tunes – Planet Telex and an incredible version of Exit Music stole the show. Exit Music – a song that everyone in the building would have known, was delivered to absolute silence. Spine tingling.
I really think however that 1 song across 2 nights from Pablo Honey and The Bends combined was disappointing.
I thoroughly enjoyed the shows, but I completely understand those who were bored. A few too many deeper cuts from In Rainbows and Amnesiac to make it a complete triumph.
