“Whenever you’re ready,” Thom Yorke jokes, sounding like a teacher calming a noisy classroom as Radiohead prepare to begin their encore at London’s O2 Arena.
It’s a rare moment of humor from the frontman, who usually limits his stage talk to quiet, mumbled “thank yous”. But his remark also reflects how long fans have been waiting for this moment.
It has been a full decade since Radiohead last released new music, and 99 months since their most recent UK performance. Excitement has been rising ever since the band announced a limited run of concerts in September. Early setlists from Spain and Italy even made headlines—especially when they played Nice Dream for the first time since 2009. According to one insider, they rehearsed around 65 songs for the tour.
A Full Journey Through Their Catalogue
At the O2, Radiohead dig deep into their entire discography—stretching from the soaring rock of The Bends (1994) to the ethereal beauty of A Moon Shaped Pool, and the layered electronic world of Kid A, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
There are moments where the band appears slightly rusty. A few timing and tuning slips show up—likely normal for the first night in a new arena, yet surprising from a group known for spotless precision.
But when everything locks in, the result is breathtaking.
A Powerful Opening Run
The show begins with the spacious, dreamy Planet Telex, followed by a fierce version of 2+2=5, written in 2003 as a reaction to George W. Bush’s “War on Terror”. Today, the song feels unexpectedly relevant in a world where political norms seem increasingly unstable.
By the third track, Sit Down, Stand Up, the band is already stretching out musically. The extended percussive outro—boosted by US session drummer Chris Vatalaro—turns into controlled chaos.
Vatalaro’s presence highlights something long understood: Radiohead’s rhythm section is the band’s secret weapon. They manage to carve danceable, elastic grooves even within the most complex arrangements.
The prowling bass of National Anthem and the thunderous loops of Idioteque push the crowd into full-body movement.
Crowd Energy and Accidental Comedy
One unintentionally funny moment comes when bassist Colin Greenwood tries to get the crowd clapping along with the glitch-heavy rhythm of 15 Step. Almost everyone fails. Instead, the audience just bobs their heads—like a sea of synchronized nodding dogs.
Amid all the experimentation, the set still delivers pure fan-pleasers: a heartfelt Lucky, a beautifully twisted No Surprises, and a stunning, emotional Weird Fishes/Arpeggi.
Old Songs, New Life
Although Radiohead often claim they dislike playing their older material, it feels more like a myth. They’ve never actually stopped performing songs from The Bends or OK Computer. Saying they “won’t play the old stuff” only makes it more exciting when they suddenly launch into something huge like Fake Plastic Trees.
That song opened Friday’s encore, which leaned heavily on their 90s classics—Let Down (recently revived on TikTok) and a massive, show-stopping Paranoid Android.
Before playing a muscular version of Just, Yorke recalls writing the song “on a freezing farm in 1994”, a time when the band believed they’d only be remembered for one track: their 1992 breakout Creep.
History had other plans.
A Reunion Shaped by Change
This tour arrives without any new material to promote. Over the last seven years, the members have pursued many side projects—especially Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with their group The Smile—making it seem possible Radiohead might not fully regroup again.
Several obstacles delayed a return: grief, parenthood, mental health struggles, and rumored internal tension surrounding Israel. As recently as August, Yorke said a reunion was “not on the cards from where I’m sitting”.
That’s why performing in the round, packed tightly together, feels symbolic. It’s a return to the rehearsal room—playing for each other as much as for the crowd.
Onstage Chemistry Rekindled
Yorke moves gracefully across the stage, switching between guitar and piano, dancing in his familiar loose-limbed style. During Idioteque, Ed O’Brien meets him mid-stride, and they shout the lyrics directly into each other’s faces.
At the start of Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Yorke and Greenwood lock eyes and duel with guitars, creating one of the night’s most electric moments.
The interactions suggest this tour has been healing for the band—even if they’ve reportedly been given separate dressing rooms for the first time.
What Comes Next?
Whether this reunion leads to new music remains uncertain. “We haven’t thought past the tour,” Yorke recently told The Times. “I’m just stunned we got this far.”
But as fans headed home singing Karma Police on the Tube, one thing felt clear:
they’re hoping everything truly is “in its right place” for a full Radiohead comeback.