Radiohead play two free sets at the BBC Radio Theatre

Radiohead played two free sets at the BBC Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House, London, today, about five hours apart. The first was recorded for 6 Music and Radio 1, the second went out live on Radio 2, and both were streamed online. “Optimistic”, which the band had not played live since 2001, came back in the first set, and they played it again as the only encore because they weren't happy with the first go.

According to Uncut, Colin Greenwood first let the plan slip on 24 January, when he told Stuart Maconie and Mark Radcliffe on Radio 2 that the band had talked about a BBC concert of In Rainbows songs at a meeting the day before. Talking to Marc Riley on 6 Music, he said they had enjoyed the free show at 93 Feet East on 16 January.

It was like playing a little club, standing next to each other, we played “The Bends” and seeing my brother Jonny slashing through that song was just brilliant.

Colin Greenwood⁵

Radio 2 announced the concert on 11 March, and with the date being April Fools' Day the music press hedged its reports. Jeff Smith, Radio 2's head of music, played along. You'd be a fool to miss the concert,³ he said.

The Radio Theatre holds 310 seated or 425 standing, and no ticket could be bought. They went to winners of on-air competitions and a phone ballot that drew 75 pairs, with entries closing on 13 March. On 12 March Drowned In Sound reported a second show, a 6 Music matinee on 6 April. It turned out to be this afternoon's set.

Steve Lamacq introduced that first set, for his 6 Music programme and Colin Murray's on Radio 1. It lasted 45 minutes, without “Karma Police” or “No Surprises”, and nobody shouted for “Creep”. The audience of a little over 200 had waited half an hour in a holding room, and Lamacq told them standing would be tolerated. When two people in the front row stood up they were told to sit down, and Thom Yorke sneered.

The evening set went out live on Mark Radcliffe's Radio 2 show. Yorke introduced “Airbag” by calling OK Computer the pundits' favourite¹, and the band ended with “Everything In Its Right Place”. Once the broadcast was over, Yorke and Jonny came back with two acoustic guitars and played “Faust Arp” off air. Riley, reviewing the day for Drowned In Sound, counts it among its best moments.

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