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TORONTO - Somewhere over the rainbow there's a pot of gold, or so the story goes.
And while many are still looking for it, critically acclaimed British band Radiohead continue to find gold time and time again.
In fact, the weather conditions prior to them taking the stage created a large rainbow just behind the lawns at Toronto's sold-out Molson Amphitheatre, making the night even a bit more special for those soaked by the thunderstorms.
But no weather conditions, a state-of-the-art light display featuring dozens of tubes which illuminated on cue or great camerawork could rise above the catalogue of material that Radiohead has created over the past decade and change.
The group -- singer/guitarist/pianist Thom Yorke, bassist Colin Greenwood, guitarist (Colin's brother) Jonny Greenwood, guitarist Ed O'Brien and drummer Phil Selway -- began its over two-hour set with the interesting 15 Step from In Rainbows, the album the group sprung on the record industry in 2007.
Led by Yorke, whose wails were never out of place throughout, the band then went into the equally strong Reckoner as the fans from the floor in front of the stage to the lawns stood and cheered as they would for the rest of the night: Quite loudly.
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Although saying very little throughout aside from the occasional "Thank you!", Yorke and company went about the night in a very workmanlike manner but definitely did not simply punch in and punch out. Whether it was the airy and inviting Optimistic with Greenwood's fine guitar work or Greenwood and O'Brien on either side of Yorke banging drums for There There, the band definitely earned their keep.
Perhaps what is best about the group though is just how well they can mix the fast with the slow, the softer, lighter material such as Morning Bell with the dynamic power of Planet Telex, the latter being a psychedelic-tinged guitar workout that was saved for the second encore.
It was this ebb and flow which made the evening so special, although perhaps the one slight faux pas was A Wolf at the Door. The song, from the band's Hail to the Thief album, had Yorke doing a Bob Dylan-meets-John Lennon like ramble that also had some heady Pink Floyd influences.
Nonetheless, Radiohead shined on several tracks, especially when it came to The Gloaming with its jazz-rock flavouring that brought to mind a group like St. Germain. Even when it was just Yorke and Greenwood on acoustic guitars as was the case during Faust Arp, it still contained a bit of magic.
But the band did ensure they would be all things to all people when they worked in one of their leaner, almost mainstream rock numbers Jigsaw Falling into Place with the main set closing Bodysnatchers.
And while most groups use the encore for a couple of songs and then go away, Radiohead on this tour have been doing two encores that basically consist of about eight songs or almost half of the 17-song main set.
The first encore was highlighted by Like Spinning Plates and also the somewhat sullen Videotape with Yorke seated, unable to showcase some of his spastic dancing that he did sparingly earlier in the evening.
After taking a moment to thank those who were standing in the rain on the lawns, Yorke continued on with Street Spirit (Fade Out) before returning for a few more songs including House of Cards.
The show wasn't without minor flaws but fortunately their shows are so stellar it's like splitting hairs when discussing their performances. And this one was no exception.