Emma Lawlor
After years of silence and speculation, Radiohead have officially confirmed their return to the stage with a full European tour. The announcement, which arrived last September, has sent shockwaves through both longtime fans and the broader music world, marking one of the most significant live-music comebacks of 2025.
Save the Dates
The band released dates for 20 shows scheduled for November and December in five cities: Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Rather than going for a sprawling itinerary, Radiohead have chosen a focused series of extended stays in major cities, showing both their perfectionist approach and the immense logistical expectations around their live performances.
Drummer Philip Selway explained that the decision to tour followed rehearsals earlier this year “Last year, we got together to rehearse, just for the hell of it … it felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect with a musical identity …”. His comments have only fueled rumors that the band may be working on new material — rumors made louder by their decision to abruptly return to the stage after such an extended break.
A Return Years in the Making
Their last live show was in August 2018, so this marks their first major live activity in seven years. In the meantime, members have pursued various side projects. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with The Smile, Ed O’Brien recording solo material, and Selway releasing solo work. But despite these creative outlets, fans continued to speculate when (or whether) the full band would reunite.
Demand Beyond Expectations
Due to a huge demand, the band implemented a ticket registration system, requiring fans to sign up for a purchase code in advance on Ticketmaster. Even with these guardrails, tickets sold out at remarkable speed. Their ability to command instant global attention confirms the continued impact of albums like OK Computer, Kid A, and In Rainbows, and highlights the enduring demand for their live performances.
A Tour That Looks Back… and Possibly Forward
The band’s opening night in Madrid reportedly featured a career-spanning set, drawing from nearly all nine of their studio albums. Fans noted that the group appeared unusually energized, subtly reworking older tracks and giving newer ones expanded arrangements. For a band known for reinventing itself, sometimes radically, the show’s setlist struck many as a sign of reconnection, not just reunion.
This retrospective approach has led to even more speculation: is Radiohead simply celebrating a long legacy, or quietly preparing to add to it? While no album has been announced, the band’s sudden reactivation has made many expect that new material could follow.
Where to Next?
Whether this tour marks the beginning of a new creative phase or stands as a singular chapter remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: after seven years away, Radiohead’s return is one of the most important live-music moments of 2025 and possibly the beginning of whatever comes next.
