Radiohead Stage Collapse

Today, Radiohead was set to play the last leg of their North American tour before heading to Europe. But just before the band took the stage for the sound check, the stage collapsed. Scott Johnson (their drum technician) was killed, and several others were injured.



This is so sad. Beyond the human loss, this stage was a work of art. If you look closely at the first picture, you'll see a series of huge metal spools at the top of the stage. These spools carried cables which supported a collection of massive video monitors. The stage floor held cameras, and during each song, the band's performances would be played live on the screens. After each song ended, the spools would spin and reposition the screens in a new layout. Combined with the lighting effects, this was probably the most beautiful concert setup I've ever seen.

Of course, Radiohead's instruments were also on stage at the time, including all of Jonny's amazing inventions. It's too early to know how much was lost, but based on the photos, it'd be a miracle if anything survived.

I can't imagine what the band must be feeling now. In one moment, they saw the loss of a team member, their instruments, and their entire environment. I just feel sick over the whole thing.

To put it in perspective, here are a few songs on the same stage, taken just a few weeks ago: