Fans Queuing To See Radiohead Have Their Say

Radiohead fans queuing to see the band perform an intimate show at Rough Trade East in London tonight (January 16th) have been speaking to Gigwise.

Fans began queuing for tonight’s performance, which will see the band perform tracks off their latest album ‘In Rainbows’, at 9am this morning – shortly after the announcement about the gig was made on the band’s website.

When Gigwise arrived at 1pm the queue had grown to at least 100 people, with more fans joining as we spoke to those already in the queue.

Pending a safety investigation, we were told that up to 400 could be allowed in to see the band this evening when they take to the stage at 8pm.

Lucy and James, who were two of the first people to arrive, said that they jumped in a taxi as soon as they heard the band were playing.

Lucy, who works for a PR and Marketing company, last saw the band at Glastonbury, although she admitted that she didn’t “consume all of their music”.

James said he felt that the idea behind tonight’s gig was an excellent way for the band to continue their recent independent ethos, which saw them allow fans to pay what they wanted for their album.

“They’re way ahead of the game especially with the (webcast) of their entire album, it’s really smart,” he added.

Paul, another Radiohead fan, who found out about tonight’s show thanks to his girlfriend, echoed the comments of many in the queue who felt the gig was another example of Radiohead pushing the boundaries of the music industry.

Talking about ‘In Rainbows’, he said: “I think it’s just a realistic way of releasing music because at the end of the day people are going to get music for free anyway, so if they release it themselves and make a bit of cash then they haven’t lost out.”

He said that he wished they’d chosen a bigger venue for tonight’s show, however.

“It would be nice if they’d chosen a different venue because it’s pretty small in there. It’s only alright if you’re one of those who get in.”

Gigwise also found an employee of SonyBMG, one of the world’s four major record labels in the queue to see the band.

He told us that the label definitely had an interest in what Radiohead are planning to do tonight following their recent ideas.

“It’s changed the way people think about music again,” he said. “Even if it makes people stop and think ‘well how much should I pay for it’.” 

CLICK HERE to see the building crowds outside Rough Trade

Are you a Radiohead fan? What do you think of the comments that other fans told us? Leave your comments below...