Imagine the electric thrill of a band you thought might never reunite, exploding back onto the stage with a career-spanning masterpiece of sound—Radiohead's triumphant return at London's O2 Arena left fans breathless and buzzing. But here's where it gets controversial: after a decade without fresh music and whispers of internal strife, is this just a nostalgic fling, or the spark of a true rebirth? Dive in as we unpack this unforgettable night, and you might just find yourself questioning what 'healing' really means for legendary acts like this.
Just moments ago, Mark Savage, our music correspondent, captured the magic live.
Alex Lake / @twoshortdays
"Whenever you're ready," Thom Yorke quips, channeling a patient teacher corralling a rowdy classroom, as Radiohead prepares to unleash their encore at the iconic O2 Arena in London.
This rare glimpse of wit from the frontman stands out, since his usual stage presence leans toward quiet gratitude in muttered 'thank yous.' Yet, it nod to the endless anticipation that's built up among fans. It's been a full decade since the group dropped new material, and nearly that long—99 months, to be precise—since their last performance in the UK.
Excitement has been simmering ever since they unveiled a handful of concert dates back in September. Early setlists from gigs in Spain and Italy sparked headlines, like 'Radiohead revives Nice Dream, a song unseen since 2009,' as avid supporters dissected every track selection.
Word has it they've polished up to 65 tunes in rehearsal, showcasing their versatility. At the O2, they dipped into their vast catalog—ranging from the roaring arena anthems of their 1994 album The Bends to the ethereal melodies of A Moon Shaped Pool, with nods to the intricate electronic layers of Kid A, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Sure, there were a few hiccups: minor timing slips and tuning tweaks that felt out of place for a band with their level of skill, possibly just the jitters of opening night in a fresh venue. But when everything clicked, it was pure enchantment, utterly mesmerizing.
They kicked off with the dreamy, trance-like vibes of Planet Telex, seguing into a gritty rendition of 2+2=5—a track penned in 2003 as a direct jab at George W. Bush's 'War on Terror,' gaining fresh relevance in today's topsy-turvy political landscape.
By the third track, Sit Down, Stand Up, they were showcasing their prowess with an elongated, wildly percussive outro, boosted by guest session musician Chris Vatalaro from the US. His spot in the lineup is telling; Radiohead's secret weapon has always been their rhythm team, who transform even the toughest compositions into groovy, danceable beats.
Take the prowling bass of National Anthem or the pounding loops in Idioteque—they had the crowd bouncing with energy. And this is the part most people miss: it was comical watching bassist Colin Greenwood struggle to sync the audience to the erratic, glitchy rhythms of 15 Step. Instead of clapping along, fans swayed their heads in shared reverence, resembling a gathering of those bobblehead toys.
Sandwiched amid the avant-garde pieces were the true highlights: a poignant take on Lucky, a delightfully warped No Surprises, and a transcendent Weird Fishes/Arpeggi that soared.
Now, here's a controversial twist—I'm convinced the band's rumored aversion to their 'old stuff' is all part of a clever ploy. They've kept classics from The Bends and OK Computer in rotation, but pretending otherwise amps up the excitement when they launch into soaring hits like Fake Plastic Trees.
That very song kicked off Friday's encore, focusing on their 90s catalog, including Let Down—a lesser-known gem that's gone viral on TikTok lately—and the monumental Paranoid Android.
Alex Lake / @twoshortdays
Before a robust version of Just, Yorke shared its backstory: crafted on a frigid farm in 1994, during a time when the band feared they'd be forever tied to a single hit—their 1992 breakout Creep.
Of course, history proved them wrong, but this comeback finds Radiohead in an intriguing spot. No new tunes accompany this tour, and the past seven years have been packed with solo ventures, especially Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood's trio of albums under The Smile, making it seem like the core band might have drifted apart for good.
Obstacles like loss, family life, mental health struggles, and reports of band friction over issues like Israel complicated matters. As late as August, Yorke declared in an interview that a reunion 'wasn't in the cards.'
All this makes their choice to perform in-the-round, crammed together like sardines, deeply meaningful. It's as if they're retreating to the studio, jamming among themselves as much as entertaining the crowd.
Yorke moves gracefully across the stage with his signature dance, switching between acoustic guitar and electric piano effortlessly. During Idioteque, guitarist Ed O'Brien intercepts him, and they belt out lyrics face-to-face. At the opening of Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Yorke and Greenwood lock eyes, trading guitar licks in a friendly duel.
This tour appears to be a journey of mending, despite separate dressing rooms for the first time—a small sign of lingering divides. Will it evolve into more? That's debatable. 'We haven't planned beyond these shows,' Yorke told The Times recently. 'I'm amazed we've made it this far.'
The ecstatic fans, heading home via the Tube while crooning Karma Police, are surely rooting for a full comeback to bring everything back into harmony.
Full setlist
Planet Telex
2 + 2 = 5
Sit Down, Stand Up
Lucky
Bloom
15 Step
The Gloaming
Kid A
No Surprises
Videotape
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Idioteque
Everything in Its Right Place
The National Anthem
Daydreaming
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Bodysnatchers
There There
Encore:
Fake Plastic Trees
Let Down
Paranoid Android
You and Whose Army?
A Wolf at the Door
Just
Karma Police
What do you think—does Radiohead's reunion feel like a genuine reconciliation, or just a cash grab in a world hungry for nostalgia? And should bands with deep-seated issues even attempt comebacks, risking more disappointment? Share your take in the comments—do you agree with my theory on their 'old stuff' ruse, or am I way off base? Let's discuss!
