Radiohead Announces First Tour in Seven Years Amid Controversy
Big news is hitting the music world: Radiohead is officially back on the road, announcing their first tour dates since 2018. For fans who have been eagerly waiting, this is huge. Flyers appeared mysteriously in cities across Europe teasing shows in London, Copenhagen, Madrid, Berlin, and Bologna—and now the band has confirmed them for this winter. Each country will see Radiohead perform a four-night residency at a single venue, with shows in Spain, Italy, and the UK scheduled for November, and Denmark and Germany following in December.
Drummer Philip Selway shared that last year the band got together just to rehearse “for the hell of it.” After a seven-year pause, playing again felt great and reignited their connection to the music that has always been at the core of their identity. He said that the rehearsals also inspired them to perform live again, though, for now, these are the only planned dates. Fans will need to pre-register on Radiohead’s website to get a chance at tickets—a measure aimed at keeping bots and ticket touts at bay. Ticket allocations will favor those living closer to the venues, though some spots will be reserved for those willing to travel within and outside Europe. Additionally, each UK ticket will carry a £1 levy to support the Live Trust initiative for grassroots venues, while European tickets will contribute €1 to Médecins Sans Frontières, matched by the band.
The excitement, however, is tempered by controversy. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood’s past performance in Tel Aviv during the Israel-Gaza conflict has drawn criticism from pro-Palestine activists, who are calling for a boycott of the tour until the band distances itself from Greenwood’s actions. The issue has been a long-standing one for Radiohead, as previous performances in Israel have sparked protests. Frontman Thom Yorke has previously emphasized that performing in a country is not an endorsement of its government, and he has spoken publicly about his opposition to extremism and dehumanization. Greenwood himself participated in anti-government protests in Israel in 2024 and has faced both support and condemnation for performing in Tel Aviv.
Beyond these political tensions, the band members have kept busy individually over the past years. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood formed the Smile, releasing three albums, while Yorke also collaborated with visual artist Stanley Donwood on an exhibition. Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood, and Philip Selway have all pursued solo projects, collaborations, and tours.
The tour hints at Radiohead’s continued evolution but doesn’t guarantee a new album, despite fans’ speculation. Thom Yorke has been candid about the band doing what feels right for them without having to answer to anyone else’s expectations. Whether fans see this as a reunion or simply a rare live appearance, one thing is clear: after seven years, Radiohead is back on stage, and the world will be watching.
Here are the confirmed European tour dates:
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Movistar Arena, Madrid, Spain – 4, 5, 7, 8 November
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Unipol Arena, Bologna, Italy – 14, 15, 17, 18 November
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The O2, London, UK – 21, 22, 24, 25 November
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Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark – 1, 2, 4, 5 December
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Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany – 8, 9, 11, 12 December
Fans are buzzing, controversy aside, and anticipation for those shows is higher than ever.
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