Imagine waiting a decade for new music from your favorite band, only to have them reunite for a tour with no fresh material. That’s the reality for Radiohead fans, who’ve been eagerly anticipating their return after a 10-year hiatus from releasing new songs and a staggering 99 months since their last UK gig. But here’s where it gets intriguing: despite the absence of new tracks, Radiohead’s recent performance at London’s O2 Arena was nothing short of mesmerizing, proving that their timeless hits still pack a punch.
Thom Yorke, the band’s enigmatic frontman, set the tone with a rare moment of humor, quipping, ‘Whenever you’re ready,’ as if corralling an unruly classroom before launching into their encore. It was a lighthearted nod to the fans’ long wait, a wait that had been building since the band announced a limited concert run in September. Setlists from earlier shows in Spain and Italy had already sparked excitement, with fans dissecting every song choice like musical detectives. Rumor has it they’ve rehearsed a staggering 65 songs, though at the O2, they focused on a journey through their entire discography.
From the arena-rock anthems of The Bends (1994) to the ethereal ballads of A Moon Shaped Pool, and the experimental electronics of Kid A—now celebrating its 25th anniversary—Radiohead delivered a set that felt both nostalgic and refreshingly innovative. Yet, it wasn’t without its quirks. A few timing and tuning issues hinted at rustiness, unusual for a band known for their technical precision. But when everything clicked, it was pure magic.
The show kicked off with the hypnotic Planet Telex, followed by a gritty rendition of 2+2=5, a 2003 track written in response to George W. Bush’s ‘War on Terror.’ In today’s politically charged climate, the song felt eerily relevant, a stark reminder of how little has changed. By the third song, Sit Down, Stand Up, the band was in full swing, showcasing their musical prowess with an extended percussive outro, courtesy of session musician Chris Vatalaro. His addition underscored Radiohead’s secret weapon: their rhythm section, which transforms even their most complex material into danceable grooves.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while the crowd reveled in hits like National Anthem and Idioteque, bassist Colin Greenwood’s attempt to get the audience clapping along to the unconventional rhythms of 15 Step fell flat. Instead, fans opted for unified head-bobbing, resembling a sea of nodding dogs. Was this a missed connection or a testament to the band’s ability to challenge their audience? You decide.
Nestled among the experimental tracks were crowd-pleasers like an elegiac Lucky, a hauntingly beautiful No Surprises, and a sublime Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. Yet, there’s a theory that Radiohead’s oft-stated dislike of their ‘old stuff’ is a clever ruse. They’ve never truly abandoned songs from The Bends or OK Computer—the mere suggestion they might makes their inclusion all the more thrilling, as with the anthemic Fake Plastic Trees that opened the encore.
That encore leaned heavily on their 90s material, including Let Down—a deep cut revived on TikTok—and the epic Paranoid Android. Introducing Just, Yorke revealed it was written on a freezing farm in 1994, when the band feared they’d be remembered only for their 1992 breakout hit, Creep. We know how that story ended, but this reunion finds Radiohead in a peculiar place.
With no new material and members immersed in side projects—most notably Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s three albums as The Smile—it seemed Radiohead might be a thing of the past. Grief, parenthood, mental health struggles, and rumored intra-band tensions over Israel further complicated matters. As recently as August, Yorke dismissed a reunion as unlikely. Yet, here they are, playing in the round, packed like sardines, symbolically returning to their roots as a band that thrives on collaboration.
The tour feels like an act of healing, even if the band members have separate dressing rooms for the first time. Whether this leads to a full-fledged comeback remains uncertain. ‘We haven’t thought past the tour,’ Yorke admitted. ‘I’m just stunned we got this far.’ For fans who left the O2 singing Karma Police, the hope is that everything will indeed be in its right place for Radiohead’s return.
What do you think? Is Radiohead’s reunion a nostalgic trip or a stepping stone to something new? And is their reluctance to play ‘old stuff’ a genuine stance or a clever marketing ploy? Let us know in the comments!
