LIVE: Radiohead, Malahide Castle, June 7th

Difficult to know where to start with this one; evenings like this weren't made for 300-word reviews.

We'll begin with the build up in the grounds of Malahide Castle. While I was initially concerned by the unprecedented and, frankly, quite worrrying levels of common sense shown by organisers in letting all and sundry enjoy the sun in the park, we soon let the shackles off and embraced the various wheelbarrow races, kickabouts and, of course, frequent streaking at the adjacent cricket match. Fun.

Such shenadigans necessitated an unfortunate boycotting of Bat For Lashes, so off we went trundling through the wooded path, arriving just in time for that panicky oh-shit-they're-starting run you do with a pint in each hand. In Rainbows opener '15 Step' worked well as an introduction, closely followed by a grinding rendition of 'Bodysnatchers'. Although 'National Anthem' (one of many very, very welcome Kid A tracks performed on the evening) provided a mid-set highlight, the closing five songs did much to underline just how far everyone has to go to even come close to the quality of Radiohead's output over the past decade; 'Videotape' (complete with technical hitch), 'Optimistic', 'Where I End And You Begin', 'Reckoner', 'Everything In Its Right Place', 'All I Need', and a particularly enthralling 'There There' left us in awe. The conspicuous absence of many Ok Computer and Bends 'classics' was - for us anyway - a thoroughly justifiable nod towards the conceptual superiority and sheer brilliance of Kid A, Hail to The Thief and In Rainbows.

Curiously for Radiohead, two encores followed, bringing the setlist up to around 25 songs for the night (the least you'd expect for a €75 ticket, it must be said). Highlights included 'How to Disappear Completely' (along with the cringeworthy-yet-irresistable 'Hurrah!' for the Liffey), a solo 'Exit Music', and a poignant, if a little scruffy, new track called 'Supercollider'. The evening ended with an almost hysterical reception amid the thunderous lighting effects for what will always be one of their finest moments - a show stealing, searingly powerful Idioteque.

This was Radiohead. No bullshit, no singalongs, no 'High and Dry'. Just two and a half hours of intensely atmospheric art on a perfect summer's evening.