IT is not often I'd swap the vibrant and colourful confines of southern France for Glasgow, but today is one of those days.
The reason: it will take me something like 589.7, sweat-inducing, train-hopping miles to see Radiohead. It will take you lot less than an hour by car along the M8 – though I hope you're towing the eco-friendly line of the band by vehicle sharing.
The problem I have, you see, is that I'd already booked my summer holidays before the Oxford five-piece announced tonight's gig at Glasgow Green.
Bit of bummer, that. But I wasn't about to admit defeat easily.
Determined not to miss out on seeing the best band on the planet (copyright just about every music journalist on the planet), I'd logged myself on to the internet to see if their current tour happened to take them anywhere near to where I'm currently holidaying, in Marseille.
Lo and behold, on Sunday week they play in Arras, northern France, at the Main Square Festival. It's a three-day, one-off event that also features Sigur Ros and Vampire Weekend.
A quick scan of the RAC's route planner site told me it's a mere 949km - nine hours by car - to get to Arras from Marseille. Now, you don't need to be that smart kid who did well in geography to know that's a fair kick of the ball away.
It will take a 5am alarm call, involve car, train and bus and take at least seven hours – and yet I can't help but think it's going to be worth every minute of the journey.
The band kicked off their carbon-friendly tour the other night in London, and were in imperious form – as ever.
Just so you know what to expect tonight, Radiohead showcased tracks from most recent album In Rainbows as well as mixing in old favourites from their large and impressively varied back catalogue.
The 25-song set started with 15 Step, and the band used the same carbon-saving, LED lights they first used on their US dates earlier this year, while their amps and equipment remained adorned with Tibetan flags.
"That was kind of our peace tune," Yorke told the crowd after Reckoner, "or a 'please not let it be the end of everything song'."
The livewire singer then led the crowd in a mass chant of "free Tibet", with the country's flag draped across his piano, before kicking into Everything In Its Right Place.
Barely pausing between numbers, Radiohead's set included Pyramid Song, There There, How To Disappear Completely and Just.
At the end, the bearded Yorke admitted "I was terrified today - thanks for the good vibes".
You can bet there will be good vibes all round when the band take to the stage in Glasgow tonight – and anyone planning to head through to this gig is in for a treat.
Me, I'll get up to see them in Arras - somehow. Now, where's that map and compass?
The full article contains 514 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
