By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Finally, after almost ten years the world-beating British group Radiohead are returning to Brazil, playing the Olympic Park Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro this Friday, April 20th, followed by São Paulo’s Allianz Parque on Sunday April 22nd.
Having only played Brazil once before, in 2009, there is a lot to be excited about for Radiohead’s return. They recently wowed fans in Chile and Argentina, with a set-list jam-packed full of recent songs, fan favorites and obscurities spanning their entire 25-year-oeuvre, including ‘Airbag,’ ‘Pyramid Song,’ ‘2 + 2 = 5,’ ‘Nude,’ ‘Reckoner,’ and ‘Desert Island Disk.’
The show will opened by Flying Lotus, Junun and Aldo The Band as part of the ‘Soundhearts Festival’ South American Tour. After performing in Brazil, they will be making one more South American stop, in Colombia, before embarking on a North American tour.
The band are famously media-averse, and the only communique offered by the lead singer, Thom Yorke, was simply a tweet on April 14th that read, ‘double scoops for everyone’ which, in its own idiosyncratic way, may explain the double-encore, 27-song-set that stunned fans that day in Argentina, and which will leave ticket-holders for Friday beside themselves in anticipation.
Ed O’Brien, one of Radiohead’s guitarists, recently announced that he is to be releasing his first solo album, inspired by his time living in Brazil. He told Esquire magazine, “It started when we were living in Brazil. It’s not overtly Brazilian but there are definite themes. Without getting into it too much, going to Carnival in Rio was very inspiring. Rhythm and groove were a big part of it.”
With Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and The National all having played Rio de Janeiro within the first few months of the year, and now with Radiohead returning after ten years to play what should be a huge set that will delight fans, 2018 is proving to be a great year for live rock music in the city.
What: Radiohead Soundhearts Festival
When: This Friday, April 20th; doors open at 6PM
Where: Jeunesse Arena – Avenida Embaixador Abelardo Bueno, 3401 – Barra da Tijuca – Tel: (21) 2430-1750
Entrance: R$170-380 (Ticket holders must be sixteen years or older)