Even a torrential downpour halfway through their set couldn’t detract from Radiohead’s triumphant homecoming gig in South Park last month. Nor could it dampen the spirits of the 40,000 fans gathered to witness what is already being considered one of the greatest gigs of recent times.

Radiohead played for over two hours, a greatest hits set which culminated in a rare and emotionally charged ‘Creep’, the band themselves obviously whipped up into an excited and nervous frenzy and augmented by a spectacular light show. Earlier in the day local favourites The Rock of Travolta had opened proceedings with a subtle piss-take of Radiohead’s own ‘Fitter Happier’ followed by a confident display that won them an army of new fans. Other highlights of the festival were Supergrass’ frenetic set and Humphrey Lyttleton’s mellow jazz interlude, but it was Radiohead who stole the plaudits, proving beyond doubt that they are the best live band on the planet at the moment.

With an extremely mellow atmosphere prevalent all day (perhaps helped by the the bizarre voucher scheme for the bar), hopes are high that a similar event can take place in the park next year. This year’s gig was organised to raise money for local charities, although the final figure is not yet known. Celebrity spotters were not to be disappointed either with the likes of Gillian Anderson, Jude law, Kate Moss, Robert Carlysle and about half the cast of Eastenders mingling with fans at the gig and at the after-show party at the Zodiac. For one day at least Oxford was the centre of the music world. The event was an unreserved success and congratulations must go to everyone involved in making it happen. Here’s hoping it’s not the last of its kind.

Radiohead, meanwhile, release a new single this month. ‘Knives Out’ is the second single to be taken from their acclaimed ‘Amnesiac’ album and is released on the 6th of August and features Humphrey Lyttleton. Various formats come backed with ‘Worrywort’, ‘Fog’ and ‘Cuttooth’.

Full South Park gig review here