After a seven-year hiatus, iconic British band Radiohead is making a highly anticipated return to the stage with a series of 20 arena shows across Europe. The announcement triggered a massive rush for tickets, which sold out in minutes, signaling immense fan excitement for their first live performances since 2018.
Key Takeaways
- Radiohead is embarking on a 20-date European arena tour, their first since 2018.
- The band members spent their hiatus on various solo and collaborative projects.
- The decision to pause was driven by personal factors, including grief and burnout.
- The band faces ongoing political controversy surrounding Jonny Greenwood's work with Israeli musicians.
- New generations of fans, aged 15-23, are a significant part of their current streaming audience.
The Return of a Legendary Band
Radiohead, formed 40 years ago in Oxfordshire, has consistently pushed musical boundaries. Their journey began in 1985 when a 17-year-old Thom Yorke met Jonny Greenwood, then a couple of years younger, in a school music room. Three other friends from Abingdon private school joined them, forming the group that would eventually become Radiohead.
The band signed with EMI in 1991. Their debut album, Pablo Honey (1993), featured the hit single 'Creep'. Two years later, The Bends solidified their place in 1990s rock. The critically acclaimed OK Computer, released in 1997, is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Did You Know?
- Radiohead's largest demographic on streaming services today is 15 to 23-year-olds.
- In 2009, NASA astronaut Mike Massimino took a copy of the band's In Rainbows CD to space, where it traveled at 15,800 mph.
- The song 'Let Down' from OK Computer entered the Billboard Hot 100 in August, 28 years after its release, following a viral trend on TikTok.
In 2000, they shifted their sound with the electronica-influenced Kid A, embarking on a path of experimental albums that continued to expand their fanbase. This diverse appeal is evident in their current streaming statistics, where the 15 to 23-year-old age group represents their largest audience.
Behind the Seven-Year Hiatus
The decision to halt touring in 2018 came after a period of intense activity. Thom Yorke explained the band needed a break. "The wheels had come off a bit. We had to stop," he stated. He also revealed a personal reason for the pause, needing time to grieve the death of his first wife, Rachel Owen, in 2016.
"I needed to stop anyway because I hadn't really given myself time to grieve," Yorke shared, describing how his grief manifested in ways that made him realize he needed to step back. Music, while often a solace, sometimes became a physical pain during this period of trauma.
Guitarist Ed O’Brien was initially hesitant about a comeback. He experienced a deep depression in 2021 and felt disconnected from the band after the last tour. "I was nervous going into rehearsals because I was effectively over Radiohead," O'Brien admitted. He found renewed appreciation for his bandmates during this time.
Individual Projects During the Break
During Radiohead's hiatus, the band members pursued various solo endeavors:
- Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood formed the spin-off project The Smile, releasing three albums.
- Thom Yorke also curated an exhibition and mixed the band's songs for a Shakespeare play.
- Jonny Greenwood composed film scores, including for a new Paul Thomas Anderson movie, which received praise from Taylor Swift.
- Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway released solo albums.
- Colin Greenwood played bass for Nick Cave.
The band reconvened last summer for rehearsals in London, starting with tracks from The Bends and working through their discography chronologically. Their last performance was in Philadelphia on August 1, 2018.
Fan Dedication and New Audiences
The band's fanbase remains incredibly active. A dedicated Reddit community, for instance, even discovered a new limited liability partnership, RHEUK25, which hinted at the upcoming tour. Jonny Greenwood acknowledged this passion, saying, "People love Radiohead. So do I. And the songs we made. So when people get passionate, they're just sharing our slightly nerdy obsession."
The enduring appeal of Radiohead extends to a new generation. Philip Selway recounted seeing schoolboys playing 'Everything in Its Right Place' from Kid A on a piano. Colin Greenwood shared a story of a Native American teenager who traveled eight hours by bus to meet him and have a photo book signed.
This cross-generational connection highlights the timeless nature of their music. The unexpected viral success of 'Let Down' on TikTok, nearly three decades after its release, further demonstrates how their work resonates with contemporary audiences.
Political Divides and Artistic Freedom
The band faces ongoing controversy regarding political issues, particularly Jonny Greenwood's collaborations with Israeli musicians and Radiohead's 2017 performance in Tel Aviv. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has criticized these actions, leading to cancelled gigs for Greenwood and calls to boycott the new Radiohead tour.
Thom Yorke expressed his discomfort with the pressure and projections. He described interactions where people demand he take a specific stance or distance himself from Greenwood. "This wakes me up at night," Yorke said, emphasizing his belief that his work is his own and not for others to dictate.
"The left look for traitors, the right for converts and it's depressing that we are the closest they can get," Jonny Greenwood commented on the political scrutiny. He continues to work with Israeli and Middle Eastern artists, seeing it as a progressive act, despite the backlash.
Greenwood, who is married to an Israeli artist, believes boycotts can be counterproductive, potentially strengthening hardline governments. While Yorke stated he would not play in Israel now due to the current political regime, he understands Greenwood's deep personal connections to the region.
The other band members also hold differing views. Ed O’Brien has publicly supported the Free Palestine cause and suggested Radiohead should have played in Ramallah. Philip Selway described the BDS demands as "impossible," noting that distancing themselves from Greenwood would mean the end of the band.
The Road Ahead: Tour and New Music?
The upcoming tour, set to kick off in Madrid on November 4, will feature a rotating setlist. Thom Yorke sent a list of 65 possible songs to the band, ensuring each show will offer a unique experience. Unlike some bands that play the same tracks nightly, Radiohead aims for variety.
The concerts will be performed in the round, a format they last used in 1993. Colin Greenwood expressed excitement for individual dressing rooms, planning to decorate his with AI-generated images of himself with world leaders.
When asked about new Radiohead music, Jonny Greenwood admitted they haven't looked past the tour. Thom Yorke simply stated he is "just stunned we got this far." The focus remains on delivering an unforgettable live experience for their diverse and dedicated fanbase.