This event will take place in the British Library Knowledge Centre Pigott Theatre and is also available to watch online. Tickets may be booked to attend in person, or to watch on our platform either live or during the next 7 days on catch up. Viewing links for the online version will be sent out in the confirmation email you receive after booking.

Radiohead’s second album The Bends was released on this day thirty years ago. It is generally considered to show the remarkable evolution of their sound, which soon made them one of the most acclaimed bands in the world. With a healthy dose of the guitar rock and melancholic pop that characterised breakthrough single “Creep”, it also features beautiful ballads, a new range to Thom Yorke’s voice, blistering riffs and solos from Jonny Greenwood and multiple acoustic treats. 
 
It was produced by John Leckie, one of the most important and distinctive producers in British music.  For this special event, John joins Classic Album Sundays founder, radio host and DJ Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy in conversation about the creation of The Bends, followed by a full playback of the album and Q&A. 
 
John Leckie has had an extraordinary career. His early career at Abbey Road Studios, saw him working with John Lennon and George Harrison and then as an engineer for Pink Floyd’s Meddle and Wish You Were Here and Paul McCartney and Wings' Red Rose Speedway. Among much else he then produced Public Image Ltd debut single, a brilliant early sweep of albums by Simple Minds, The Stone Roses stratospheric first LP in 1991 and their classic “Fool’s Gold” as well as Muse and many others.

Classic Album Sundays tells the stories behind the albums that have shaped our culture and our lives. Not always on Sundays, it is the world’s most popular album listening event.

Discounts for British Library Members.  Half price tickets available students, under 26s and other concession groups. 
 
Doors and bar open at 18.00. If you’re attending in person please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk

 

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