Thom Yorke Surprise DJ Set at Low End Theory

The rumors were looking good. And then it was off. But around 11 p.m. as a line snaked around the Airliner in Lincoln Heights, Radiohead's Thom Yorke had literally no choice but to show up and get behind the 12's.

Pop & Hiss' Jeff Weiss got caught up in the middle of the madness at the normally more subdued Wednesday night Low End Theory club:

“We have a very special guest tonight … act like he’s one of us. He is one of us,” said Daddy Kev, the Low End Theory co-founder. Shrieks (male and female.) Clouds of smoke. A girl in front of me texted to a friend: “I’m looking at Thom Yorke….ahhhhhhhh.” Murmurs all saying the same thing: I can’t believe this is happening. But it was. Despite an initially cool reserve, Yorke soon got down and dirty, unleashing a sweaty funk that spanned house, minimal techno, dubstep, Afro-beat, and hip-hop. Jaylib bled into Burial. Major Lazer slurred into smooth house. Modeselektor merged with Fela Kuti’s “Zombie,” into krautrock. The lights dimmed and the crowd kept bouncing. A robot remix of M.O.P. and Busta Rhymes’ “Ante Up,” passed the pipe to Madvillain’s “America’s Most Blunted” — Yorke’s notoriously eclectic tastes distilled into an hourlong dance party.

It was the first public appearance of any member of Radiohead since the February 18th release of The King of Limbs. Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, who continues producing film scores on the side, told British radio last week that the band is back in the studio. And we've gotta hope there's more to come on the heels of

Support for LAist comes from

Become a sponsor

Limbs, which, clocking in at under 40 minutes, certainly leaves us wanting more.

Might there be a Coachella appearance in some form or fashion from Yorke and crew?

Keep up with LAist

Thom Yorke Surprise DJ Set at Low End Theory