Some context: This video was taken in Amsterdam, AFAS Live on 16th of March. At least two people passed out during the concert, security didn’t pay attention to the crowd. Multiple people were calling for help and flashing flashlights towards staff members but because no one was reacting, Thom had to intervene, stop the concert and call security out for inactivity. There are a lot of stories of people dying during concerts, it’s important for security who are responsible for safety of people to be involved. I understand how many people can find Thom’s response rude but of course he was angry that staff wasn’t doing shit when even he noticed that something was wrong WHILE he was performing. Him being harsh maybe isn’t nice but is a very human reaction. The Smile is responsible for the safety of people during their concerts because they are the ones who are choosing to play in the venues. Not saying that it’s their fault directly if something happens, but you can make this connection.
It depends on when the guy passed out. If it happened right then and there, there’s no excuse for Thom’s behavior. No matter what, I personally don’t like the “Thom is so cool” uncritical reaction to this that some commenters have. There’s nothing cool about this. Side note: Thom reacted much more (age)-appropriately during Myxomatosis when a similar thing happened.
@@Hello-xv3vm From what I’ve read, people were trying to get help for a long time but no one reacted. I was at the front so couldn’t see what was happening in the back but I saw that security started moving only after Thom pointed in the direction of a passed out person. That’s all I can say
To be fair, that venue was insanely massive. There’s no way he could’ve performed and managed that crowd at the same time. It was his apology that was real salt in the wound.
I was there and the security was just a bunch of kids who had no idea what to do. Even after Thom called them out, they hesitated, until one guy slowly made his way into the crowd. Granted, I am not sure they could really see it before, because it was quite in the middle of the crowd, but they also weren't paying much attention and when action was necessary, they were clueless and hesitant. Bless Thom for always watching out and stopping the show when necessary, he's a real one.
This is becoming a real problem at concerts. More than I remember when I was younger. People, I know it sucks to have to go to the bathroom during a show, but drink water. This is a long time to stand around without any hydration. Take care of yourselves, it's only a show.
@@la.belle.p0mme I was there. That was quite amazing how he suddenly stopped singing his falsetto to say "somenone's fainting" and the continued singing as if he never stopped. And he appologised after the song for stopping it
Aside from the music (obvs!), one of the best bits of the smile gig in Birmingham was Thom turning to a group just before the last track who had been talking all the way through the gig and saying "It's 5 minutes. Either SHUT. UP. or F*CK. OFF." 🤣👏👏👏👏
“Get your shii together. It’s literally your job” I didn’t know security had a Birds Eye view to the middle of the crowd….oh wait no, that’s the band. I don’t like anyone who disrespects workers like that. I bet he talks the same way to waiters
@@drowningin Oh look you're here again posting the same misinformed view in another reply. Maybe read the first pinned reply to understand the context of the whole thing before slandering someone so frivolously.
I witnessed the same thing happen in Mexico City during Radiohead's King of Limbs tour in 2012. A girl had fainted and was being carried by the audience to the font where security could get her out. I'll never forget Thom pointing in our direction telling people to get her help. Same thing for Bon Iver in Seattle last summer, Justin actually called out the venue for having almost no security present at the time and was visibly angry.
Sometime around 2004 in southern California, I saw Steve Miller stop a song and challenge security thugs up front who were bullying a fan who was dancing enthusiastically, but not touching or obstructing others. I really respected him for that. And I love when he plays the blues.
I was there and to give a bit of context: AFAS Live is a huge venue with probably around 4000 people standing in GA and another 2000 seated. If something happens in the middle (which is where it happened), it’s extremely hard for security to see where the problem is and to get over there. Apparently the person passed out from dehydration because it was hot - there were a few others in the audience who also passed out. It’s not always due to excessive alcohol/drugs, nor is a situation like this easy to spot from the side. I’m glad Thom interrupted the show, allowing people with mobile phone lights to highlight the area to security.
From what I’ve heard, people were calling for security after the person passed out and Thom intervened only because security wasn’t reacting to people’s calls for help. I don’t think Thom would be rude to them without a reason.
@@kurtidiotequemoron absolutely- but there’s two sides. The incident was like 10 meters into the crowd, so it was hard for security to see, especially if alerts from people don’t reach them. My friend were standing 1-2 meters away, so I’m sharing their perspective. Maybe if the venue had someone on the balcony who watches over the crowd they could have seen it earlier. I also understand Thom’s frustration, but as I said there’s two sides.
@@thegerams Maybe I just care about people’s safety too much, i don’t know, maybe that’s why Thom’s reaction to me seems to be pretty reasonable, sorry… I understand why security could not notice it, but if they don’t have people who are actively watching the crowd, it’s honestly their and organizer’s fault. It’s a medical emergency, you know, I would be pissy too if i hired people to keep my audience safe and they weren’t doing anything. People can die because if this. I get where you are coming from saying that there are two sides in this situation, I just prioritize people’s health.
This is essentially Dave Grohl's "YOU COME TO MY SHOW'S TO DANCE" but without an asshole harassing the fans: It's someone wanting their fans to enjoy themselves when seeing them perform. Kudos to Tom for taking notice and immediately getting the fan help.
Putting aside the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this clip- which are horrible, the most impressive part about this is when thom calls for the stop they…stop. All instruments seize from playing. No backing track. They’re really doing all that sound live on stage.
Doesn’t seem harsh at all. If Thom is noticing people pass out and people trying to flag down security to no avail and they’re nothing about it, fair enough to call them out. Why should the artist have to intervene? Again, it’s literally securities job.
We don't know what he's already seen from them. I once passed out next to a security guy at a White Stripes gig. Apparently I was out for almost a minute before someone made him get me out of there.
If you’re talking about the Atons for peace rehearsal, it was a rehearsal and no one was supposed to be watching and a news station handed out tickets without the band’s permission, so it is honestly amazing that he didn’t kick them out as soon as they came in and let the ones who kept their mouth shut watch
“Get your shii together. It’s literally your job” I didn’t know security had a Birds Eye view to the middle of the crowd….oh wait no, that’s the band. I don’t like anyone who disrespects workers like that. I bet he talks the same way to waiters
Thom often takes advantage of his star status to act tougher than he has to…or would if he wasn’t on stage. He shows no genuine concern for the fan. This is more an opportunity for him to channel his anger. I like most of their music, but Thom as a person is another matter. Jonny looks a little uncomfortable as well.
Someone is potentially having a medical emergency, and security is being negligent. Of course it is time to bring out the frustrated dad voice, and him literally stopping the concert for the fainter is him showing concern.
@@Serfi_VideosThis is something very different from a “frustrated dad’s voice” + security can’t predict these things. For all we know, it happened right as Thom said it, and he has the best overview after all. When it happened during Myxomatosis, he was much more calm about it, so no, he didn’t have to go there.
Passing out on a concert is a question of life or death. People were calling security but no one reacted that’s why Thom had to intervene. I would rather be a bit rough on security than having a person fucking dying on my concerts because no one is trying to do anything.
Kinda idiotic to think security and safety aren’t more important than anything else going on in that room, including both the performance and the venue staff’s feelings.
All this shows is that there’s literally nothing Thom can do that his fans won’t find a way to condone. I like the music but his attitude isn’t the way to go.
He was probably a little spiky, but I imagine that if you are a professional performer trying to do your own job in front of thousands of spectators it must be pretty frustrating to have to stop the performance because someone else is not doing theirs. The person paid to keep the crowd safe and take appropriate action when someone is at risk was not doing so on this occasion. Thom is not supposed to be a security supervisor - he’s a performer. I can understand the attitude, personally (and there are plenty of things Thom does that I do not condone!)
@@Hello-xv3vmI’m not a huge fan of his politics to be honest, which I find can be a little hypocritical. But….I absolutely love the music so I’m willing to tolerate / ignore the other stuff….
Should any radiohead fan be kept from seeing them live because of the inhumane actions of their governement? I guess then Thom should also stop playing in the states since that country seems to love waging wars on civilians as well... Or maybe it is okay for US to have war criminals as presidents but not other countries? Idk, would you please enlighten me?
I understand you. Even worse that Thom actually was trying to speak out on the Israel issue back in 2006 but was quickly silenced by zionist part of Radiohead (Probably Jonny’s Israeli wife Sharona and Jonny himself). I believe he would be more vocal about it now if Jonny’s family weren’t from Israel. Last time they played there was in 2017
i went to see Self Esteem in Oxford last year and a poor young lady felt unwell. Rebecca alerted security immediately and then with the band's assistance made a distraction onstage (tap-danced!) so no-one stared at the lady whilst she received treatment. class act
