by Jamie Welbaum, North Wales, PA

It was an August evening four years ago (2003) at the Tweeter Center and I was beaming with anticipation. For me, this was the moment I had waited for for the longest time. I was finally going to see Radiohead live. It was rare that I had this much anticipation for a concert. I had been to multiple U2, Dave Matthews and other local bands which I have always greatly admired. But it is the Radiohead concert which clinched their spot for me as the greatest band today and my favorite of all-time.

I had always followed them throughout their career. More and more throughout the late ’90’s and the beginning of the 21st century, I became obsessed (like many others I’m sure) with their music. I followed their internet postings and concert footage intensely. While some critics may call them pretentious and weird, I never bought that for a second. Radiohead always seem to know what they’re doing and, not only do it right, but do it their own way and on their own terms. What more can you want from a commercially successful band?

So I guess I was setting myself up for a disappointment when I went to see them live. Not in the least! The band brought an intensity and focus like no other band I ever saw. They mixed it up properly between their then-current “Hail To The Thief” album to older, classic albums such as “OK Computer,” “Kid A” and “The Bends.” And most of the older songs had their own live originality to them.

The best moment though came when Thom Yorke belted “Sail to the Moon” so closely to the album that it was scary. Watching all of this take place on a beautiful late-August evening made the atmosphere even more perfect. As you know, these days it’s hard to witness Radiohead live. I saw them again last year at the Tower. But I will never forget my first rare Radiohead sighting.