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At London’s O2 Arena, Radiohead returned to the stage for the first time in nearly a decade, delivering a highly anticipated performance that marked their first UK concert in over eight years. Frontman Thom Yorke opened the encore with a rare, playful quip, saying, “Whenever you’re ready,” breaking his usual habit of brief, understated audience interactions. This marked a significant moment for fans who have long awaited new material and a live show, given that the band hasn’t released new songs in ten years and last performed in the UK 99 months ago.
The band’s setlist spanned their extensive catalog, including tracks from their breakthrough album *The Bends* to the ethereal compositions of *A Moon Shaped Pool*. Notably, *Kid A*, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, was revisited as part of the journey through Radiohead’s evolving sound. Although there were minor moments of technical difficulty and timing slips—understandable for the opening night at a new venue—the performances were generally immersive and mesmerizing. Throughout the show, band members swapped instruments fluidly, adding to the dynamic atmosphere.
Opening with the hypnotic “Planet Telex,” Radiohead followed up with a powerful rendition of “2+2=5,” originally a response to political unrest during the early 2000s but resonating freshly in today’s global climate. The energy escalated with “Sit Down, Stand Up,” showcasing percussive complexity, bolstered by the contribution of US session drummer Chris Vatalaro. True to form, the band’s rhythm section, especially bassist Colin Greenwood and drummer Phil Selway, anchored the groove-heavy tracks like “National Anthem” and “Idioteque,” eliciting enthusiastic crowd involvement—though getting fans to clap in sync proved challenging during the jagged rhythms of “15 Step.”
Between more experimental pieces, popular favorites were interspersed, including heartfelt versions of “Lucky,” “No Surprises,” and “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi.” The encore primarily embraced the band’s 1990s work, with highlights such as “Fake Plastic Trees,” a song Yorke introduced by recalling its origins in a cold 1994 farm as they feared being known only for “Creep.” The night concluded with performances of “Let Down,” whose profile has recently been boosted by TikTok, and the ambitious “Paranoid Android,” much to the delight of fans.
Despite an intense period of individual projects and personal challenges—including grief, parenthood, and rumored tensions within the band—Radiohead seemed to use this tour not just as a reunion but as a form of reconnection. Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood, who have also collaborated on side ventures like The Smile, demonstrated an interactive stage presence, sharing close musical dialogues during songs such as “Idioteque” and “Jigsaw Falling Into Place.” The arrangement of the stage, where the band played facing each other rather than solely focusing on the audience, symbolized this renewed camaraderie.
Yorke has been candid about the uncertain future of Radiohead beyond the tour. He told *The Times*, “We haven’t thought past the tour. I’m just stunned we got this far.” For now, though, fans left the arena buzzing, united in singing “Karma Police” on their way home, hopeful that this return may herald more to come
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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