Radiohead
8pm, Samsung stage
Government name(s): Thom Yorke (commander in chief), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, genius), Colin Greenwood (bass, genius’ brother), Ed O’Brien (guitar), Phil Selway (percussion)
Active since: 1985
Hometown: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK
Number of albums: Nine studio full-lengths
Musical influences: Neu!, R.E.M., Scott Walker, Miles Davis, Aphex Twin, Charles Mingus, Joy Division, Can
Precursor act: Pink Floyd, Steve Reich, Magazine
Secret weapon(s): cover artist Stanley Donwood and producer Nigel Godrich – basically a sixth member
Breakout moment: “Creep,” and they hate you for it
Song they should play: “Reckoner”
Song they shouldn’t play: “Creep”
Funny story: There’s a 2005 Q magazine story about Green Day, wherein drummer Tre Cool recalls playing loud music at the Chateau Marmont, a swanky L.A. hotel. Phil Selway, who had been sleeping, asked Cool to lower the volume, to which he responded by playing a Radiohead album instead, and then trapped Selway in his room. Per Tre, Phil responded: “You let me out, you fucker! I’m telling Thom!”
Fun fact: Their first televised performance for American audiences was The Arsenio Hall Show
Stereotypical fan: Me, but whatever
Notable beefs: Their cold wars with U2, Oasis, and Travis (?)
Last show in Austin: Austin City Limits taping/Frank Erwin Center, 2012
Celebrity fans: In a 2008 Rolling Stone article, Chris Martin minced no words: “I would give my left ball to write anything as good as OK Computer.”
Perceived engine of the group: Former mini-dictator Thom, who would “subvert everybody else’s power at all costs,” prior to the 2003 Hail to the Thief sessions
Actual engine of the group: Jonny, for his ability to work around Thom’s tendencies
Most interesting non-musical thing about the group: In 2014, they made a game app called PolyFauna
Major Lazer
8:15pm, Honda Stage
Government name(s): Thomas Pentz (renowned DJ/producer Diplo), Christopher Leacock (Trinidadian DJ/producer Jillionaire), Leighton Walsh (Jamaican-American DJ/producer/rapper Walshy)
Active since: 2008
Hometown: Ultimately, Kingston, Jamaica
Number of albums: Three LPs, three EPs
Musical influences: Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man, Don Omar, Tego Calderon, Big Freedia, and Sandungueo music
Precursor act: Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel, Don Omar, Baltimore Club DJ Rod Lee
Secret weapon(s): Diplo understands how to mold “outernational” sounds into festival-ready pop music
Breakout moment: Diplo had already broken out as a producer – for his other two collaborators
Song they should play: Justin Bieber-assisted “Cold Water”
Song they shouldn’t play: “You’re No Good” feat. Santigold
(Not so) funny story: Per ex-gf M.I.A., Diplo’s jealousy issues
Fun fact: Major Lazer has its own animated TV series on FXX
Stereotypical fan: Tightly fitted throwback NBA jersey, short shorts, New Balance 991 or 992 sneakers
Notable beefs: Crazy Twitter beefs with Zedd, DeadMau5, rapper Azealia Banks
Last show in Austin: Emo’s, October 2014
Celebrity fans: Fraternity presidents
Perceived engine of the group: Diplo
Actual engine of the group: Diplo’s appropriation of the other members’ authenticity to balance his mass appeal? Kidding.
Most interesting non-musical thing about the group: Diplo’s actually a savvy investor, jumping in early for Snapchat and Tesla
This article appears in September 30 • 2016.
