Radiohead returns to stage after seven-year hiatus

Radiohead performed their first concert in seven years on November 4, 2025, at Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, delivering a 25-song set that kicked off their 20-date European tourcultfollowing.

The career-spanning setlist included classics like “Paranoid Android,” “Karma Police,” and “Fake Plastic Trees,” plus the first performance of “Sit Down. Stand Up.” since 2004, drawing from an initial pool of 65 rehearsed songscultfollowing.

The band is performing in the round with a 360-degree stage setup they haven’t used since 1993, with shows scheduled through mid-December in Bologna, Italy, London, Copenhagen, and Berlinconsequence.

Drummer Philip Selway explained the reunion emerged from casual rehearsals in 2024, saying it felt good to “reconnect with a musical identity that has become lodged deep inside all five of us” after years pursuing solo projectscultfollowing.

The band has confirmed these are the only shows planned “for now” with no extra dates, though they hope to do more shows elsewhere in the futurecultfollowing.

Radiohead Kicks Off First Tour in Seven Years with Triumphant Madrid Return

Radiohead made their long-awaited return to the stage on November 4, 2025, delivering a career-spanning 25-song performance at Madrid’s Movistar Arena that marked their first concert in seven years. The Oxford quintet launched their European tour with a transcendent show that earned five-star reviews from major publications and reminded audiences why they remain one of Britain’s most essential rock bands.cultfollowing

Emotional Reunion Draws Rave Reviews

The comeback performance, staged in the round with the band positioned in the center of the arena behind translucent LED screens, opened with “Let Down” from 1997’s OK Computer—a track that recently experienced a viral resurgence on TikTok. Critics were unanimous in their praise, with The Guardian‘s reviewer calling it “an absolute joy” and The Times‘ Will Hodgkinson describing it as “a remarkable two hours,” both awarding the show five stars.cultfollowing

The setlist drew heavily from Hail to the Thief and OK Computer, featuring six songs from each album. Notable highlights included the first performance of “Sit Down. Stand Up.” since 2004 and “Subterranean Homesick Alien” since 2017. The show concluded with a seven-song encore ending with “Karma Police,” performed with house lights up and the audience singing along en masse.consequence

Strategic Return After Years of Solo Projects

The reunion comes after all five band members pursued various solo endeavors during their hiatus. Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood released three albums as The Smile, while Greenwood composed film scores including work on Paul Thomas Anderson projects. Drummer Philip Selway explained the comeback emerged from casual rehearsals in 2024, stating: “After a seven-year pause, it felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect with a musical identity that has become lodged deep inside all five of us”.consequence

The tour’s “busking approach” allows for dynamic setlists drawn from an initial pool of 65 songs that Yorke sent to his bandmates. The band’s return to performing in the round—a setup they haven’t used since opening for Ned’s Atomic Dustbin in 1993—creates an immersive 360-degree experience for audiences.architeg-prints

The 20-date European tour continues through mid-December with four-night residencies in Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin, though the band has stated there are “no extra dates” planned beyond these shows. Radiohead will perform their second Madrid show tonight before completing their Spanish run on November 7 and 8.cultfollowing