Radiohead Prove Their Importance Again With a Transcendent, Long-Awaited Reunion Show
Just a few short months ago, the odds of seeing Radiohead on stage in 2025 felt about as likely as them dropping a surprise death metal album. After they wrapped up the A Moon Shaped Pool tour way back in 2018, the guys scattered to the winds. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood got busy with The Smile, both Greenwood brothers kept scoring most every movie under the sun, and both Phil Selway and Ed O’Brien dropped solo records. It seemed like the Radiohead chapter might be closed for a good long while.
Radiohead Performs in Europe
Almost out of nowhere, a Madrid show materialized. Not just a one-off, but the start of a full-blown European tour. This wasn’t just another concert; it was their first time playing together after the longest hiatus of their career. For fans who’d been subsisting on scraps and side projects, it felt like a musical miracle.
What Went Down in Madrid?
Forget a quiet, tentative return. Radiohead burst onto the stage at Madrid’s Movistar Arena with ‘Let Down,’ a fan-favorite they hadn’t opened with since 2017. The stage itself was a spectacle – a circular setup in the middle of the arena, initially shrouded by a video curtain, adding to the suspense. It was a statement: this wasn’t going to be a by-the-numbers nostalgia act. Radiohead were definitely there to put on a show.
The real shocker? The deep dive into their often-overlooked 2003 album, “Hail to the Thief.” They tore through six tracks from the record, including the first performance of “Sit Down. Stand Up.” since 2004. Hearing Yorke flawlessly nail the rapid-fire delivery of “A Wolf at the Door” was proof that they weren’t just phoning this one in. These reunion shows were a serious endeavor, born from Yorke’s recent deep dive into the album’s material.
Did They Play the Hits?
Oh, you bet they did. But this is Radiohead, so even the hits felt fresh and electric. “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” was an absolute showstopper, with Ed O’Brien’s ethereal backing vocals sending shivers through the packed arena. During a blistering rendition of “Bodysnatchers,” the Greenwood brothers shared a moment on stage that was pure rock and roll magic.
When it came time for the encore, Yorke, with a simple, knowing “Fair enough,” launched into “Fake Plastic Trees.” Cue the entire arena singing along, a sea of cell phone lights illuminating the moment. It was one of those concert experiences that you know will be seared into your memory forever. The band kept the emotional gut-punches coming with classics like “Paranoid Android,” “How to Disappear Completely,” and the old favorite, unifying anthem “Karma Police” to close out the night.
Why This Radiohead Reunion is Definitely Not a Cash Grab
This very decidedly isn’t some cynical cash grab. This is the first time Radiohead has toured without a new album to promote – and it’s their first tour since being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. They don’t need to be doing this. But despite some well-publicized internal tensions and external controversies, they’re back on stage for one reason: their fans.
Yorke reportedly came into this tour armed with a staggering 65-song setlist, promising to switch things up every single night. That’s a far cry from the band that once seemed reluctant to play their biggest hits. Night two in Madrid proved it, as they dusted off “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” and “(Nice Dream)” for the first time in sixteen years.
This tour feels different. It’s a band re-embracing their entire legacy, playing with a renewed fire and a genuine desire to connect with the audience that has stuck with them for decades. They are unpredictable, powerful, and they sound better than ever. If you have a ticket, you’re in for something special. If you don’t, you might want to start begging, borrowing, or stealing to get one. This is Radiohead, and they’re here to remind everyone why they’re one of the greatest bands on the planet.
