Will Radiohead Save the Grammys, Confuse Katy Perry Fans, or Just Sell More Ads?

After turning the record industry on its head in 2007 by releasing an album (In Rainbows) online and allowing listeners to pay whatever price they wanted, Brit rock band Radiohead is reportedly planning on doing something even more surprising: performing on the Grammys.

The band got its start firmly planted in the alt-rock grunge of the ‘90s, copping moves from the Pixies, generally riding whichever trend seemed like the next big thing and subsequently finding success with songs such as “Creep”. Even with pop leanings, the quintet had always been a little off-center, but after 1997’s OK Computer, the group rather abruptly severed its accessible alt-rock roots in favor of a far more experimental sound.

So, why would a band that is seemingly struggling whole-heartedly against the mainstream now decide to dive into the shallow talent pool at the Grammys—a self-congratulatory parade of pre-fab popstars celebrating record sales rather than any sort of legitimate artistic achievements?

Money seems like an unlikely motivation. It would be easy to simply accuse the band of selling out, or seeking some sort of awards show ego boost, but that seems unlikely. It would also be easy to write the appearance off to some sense of irony. Perhaps the band is appearing on the Grammys simply because it’s the thing they seem least suited for—which gives them some opportunity to expose Beyonce fans to something more substantial.

Pretentious? Sure, but it’s also pretty accurate. Appearing on a show like this gives the band the rare chance to expose their music to people outside of its rather obnoxious and territorial fanbase.

If Grammy viewers dislike the performance, the band and its fans can simply chalk it up to the group’s music being far too complex for the Justin Timberlake-listening masses to understand.

But, what if the Grammys’ horde of Katy Perry record owners actually likes Radiohead’s attempt at avant garde weirdness?

Maybe that’s the one strange scenario that will make tuning in worthwhile. And, in the end, that’s probably the only thing the people behind the Grammys were concerned with anyway: creating a larger viewership, to sell more ads and make more money.

Well done.

If Radiohead performs on the 2009 Grammys, will you watch?
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