Guitars go to the front rows at Radiohead's first New Zealand show

Radiohead played their first show in New Zealand tonight at McCarthys Saloon Bar, in Warners New Hotel on Cathedral Square in Christchurch, and during “Anyone Can Play Guitar” guitars were handed out for the front rows to play. Thom Yorke took the stage in a bright red football jersey.

The set was split evenly between Pablo Honey and new songs. “Stop Whispering” came from the album, and so did “Creep”, played uncensored, with the crowd singing the chorus back at the band. Two Christchurch bands opened: Burn, a four-piece with a female singer, then Excellent Soul Therapy, with a masked horn section and fire-juggling.

The promoter's April announcement of the band's first Australian tour had only Auckland in New Zealand, and The Press reported Christchurch as newly confirmed on 10 June. The band came straight from Sydney, where the reviews and the crowds were good, and they play Auckland tomorrow.

Before the show Phil Selway told The Press that the band go back into the studio after the tour to finish their next album, due early next year. Ten songs are finished, and New Zealand audiences are the guinea pigs for the new ones. He says the slogan “We're going to save pop”, and the single “Pop Is Dead”, were aimed at the charts and at labels hunting for the next R.E.M. or U2. It was only a flippant comment, a slogan for people to hone in on.² As for why the songs dwell on unhappiness, Conflict can be much more energising than happiness², he says.