More about: RadioheadPrimavera Sound FestivalThe Last Shadow PuppetsSavagesThe Avalanches

A heavy tension hangs in the hot and humid Barcelona air, the kind that can only come from a mass and communal sense of hope and expectation. Beirut are playing a fine and resplendent set on the stage just opposite, but hordes have been planning their movements for hours as they flock in droves to camp down for arguably what could well be the live event of the weekend, if not the whole summer. Radiohead are due on stage at Primavera Sound 2016. 

The crowd swells as the sun slowly sets behind the coastal highrise buildings. An ominous drone simmers, the lights fade, and shrieks of sheer ecstasy pierce the silence. Drifting straight into 'Burn The Witch' from new album A Moon Shaped Pool, Radiohead kick off a setlist that leans more on their esoteric nature, but one that emphasises the extremes that make this band so utterly essential. 

'Burn The Witch' is driven by a more effervescent, guitar rock-led groove live, starting things off at the perfect pace. Then, it must be said, the audience at Primavera Sound may well be one of the most respectful we've ever experienced at a major festival, as the entire crowd falls perfectly silent as the band glide through the aching and gossamer light 'Daydreaming'. As Yorke's pining vocal floats over the stunned masses as he mourns "dreamers, they never learn," you can almost feel your heart rising to the back of your throat. 

'Decks Dark' and 'Desert Island Disk' keep things sombre but sublime, before 'Ful Stop' is the first to really get a frenzy going, with that twitching schizophrenia and sci-fi menace that only Radiohead can do so well. 

As with the setlist on the rest of the tour, what happens from here is anyone's guess, and the anticipation before the release is all part of the thrill at a Radiohead show. Fanboys squeal and hold their heads in delight as the radio static to intro to the twisted jazz dance of 'The National Anthem' lets out, and those opening notes of 'Talk Show Host' again prove to be absolutely devastating. From there, the hits and true fan favourites come thick and fast, punctuating the more abstruse moments - as 'No Surprises' lands alongside 'Pyramid Song' and 'The Numbers', 'Karma Police' blooms before 'Weird Fishes', and the first set ends with the almighty trio of 'Idioteque', 'Bodysnatchers' and 'Street Spirit'. 

Just when you felt things were already pretty complete but itching for more, they drop the perfect encore, as the cinematic grace of 'Bloom' clears way for the epic rush that comes from the epic 'Paranoid Android' into the crystal-cut heartache of 'Nude', the manic fire of '2+2=5' and the underrated but Herculean 'There There'. Sonically, visually, and when the band add up to become more than the sum of their parts, Radiohead are one of the greatest bands on the road right now. And in short, they prove that they're able to pull off the perfect festival-pleasing set without diluting what makes them great, using their idiosyncrasies to create a more dynamic show, rather than shying away from them. Returning to play the rarely outed 'Creep' to close is surely just taking the piss. Bravo, Radiohead. 

Radiohead played:
Burn the Witch
Daydreaming
Decks Dark
Desert Island Disk
Ful Stop
The National Anthem
Talk Show Host
Lotus Flower
No Surprises
Pyramid Song
The Numbers
Karma Police
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Everything in Its Right Place
Idioteque
Bodysnatchers
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Encore:
Bloom
Paranoid Android
Nude
2 + 2 = 5
There There
Encore 2:
Creep

Across the way and Last Shadow Puppets then completely change gear, as lounge lizard lothario Alex Turner slinks his way across the stage, rolling up his sleeves, licking his lips and slicking back his hair - part Elvis, part used car salesman. The steady Miles Kane is the foundation, while Turner's electric charisma and the idolising hero worship it attracts gives the show the bite it needs to compete after following Radiohead, as their Phil Spector-esque sounds swing and swoon into the early hours, lifting the mood, but ultimately unable to top the peak that Thom Yorke and co have just set. 

From there, it's a typically Primavera blend of eclecticism, as we melt into the night with the sound and elegiac comfort in sound that comes from Beach House, before raving until near sunrise by the sea with a high octane, swinging DJ set courtesy of the return of The Avalanches. 

We see Savages in tow enjoying proceedings too, who also deserve kudos for proving to be a true highlight of the weekend - kicking up the fire in the early evening sun with a blistering blast of scorched post-punk and a fearless abandon.

"Do you want to be entertained?," growls a wild-eyed Jehnny Beth, eyeing up the front rows of the crowd as she stalks the stage before throwing herself into the audience. As the likes of 'Fuckers', 'Husbands', 'The Answer' and 'TIWYG' ignite a punk spirit so sorely lacking elsewhere, they give everything to their performance. You'll struggle to see a band more at one as a unit, or a singer more at home in the arms of her fans.

"We all are here because we love music," says Beth with an arm raised aloft. It's a love that's infectious, and leaves you salivating for more. That's entertainment. 

Primavera Sound continues today with performances from Sigur Ros, PJ Harvey, Brian Wilson, Action Bronson, Moderat and more. Check back at Gigwise for the latest reviews, news and photos from Primavera Sound 2016, as we report from Generator Hostel, Barcelona. 

More about: RadioheadPrimavera Sound FestivalThe Last Shadow PuppetsSavagesThe Avalanches