In the summer of 2003, just weeks after releasing their sixth album, "Hail to the Thief," Radiohead took the stage at the Eurockéennes de Belfort festival in France. This performance captures the band at a pivotal moment, introducing a fresh and politically charged body of work to a massive European audience. The energy is palpable as they launch into the album's lead single, "There There," immediately immersing the crowd in the dense, rhythmic complexity that would define this era of their music.
The setlist from that July evening was a masterful blend of the new and the familiar. Tracks from the recently released album, such as the urgent "2 + 2 = 5" and the electronically textured "The Gloaming," were woven seamlessly alongside established classics from "OK Computer," "Kid A," and "The Bends." This thoughtful curation provided a comprehensive snapshot of the band's evolution, showcasing their journey from alternative rock titans to restless electronic innovators, all while firing on all cylinders as a formidable live act.
This concert is more than just a festival appearance; it's a document of a band confidently navigating a new creative direction in front of a captivated audience. Thom Yorke's dynamic presence, combined with the band's intricate musicianship, transforms the layered studio recordings of "Hail to the Thief" into powerful, visceral anthems. For fans, this performance from the French festival remains a fan-favorite and a prime example of Radiohead's unparalleled intensity and artistry on stage during a celebrated period.