Radiohead Returns: A Brutal Bacchanal for the Ages
It's been almost a decade since Radiohead gifted us a new album, and over seven years since they graced a stage. During that time, the future they once sang about with such worry has, in many ways, arrived. From animal-borne diseases to collapsing infrastructure, the lyrics of Thom Yorke seemed eerily prescient.
Yorke's reputation as a prophet has grown, but the band's brilliance extends far beyond him. His recent collaborations, including those with bandmate Jonny Greenwood in The Smile, have kept fans satisfied, yet the anticipation for a full Radiohead reunion has been immense. Now, without fanfare or new music (that we know of), they've returned for short residencies in select European cities.
Performing in the round, Radiohead utilizes a projection screen that initially seems like a shield, but no protection is needed. This is not a tentative return.
"Shell smashed, juices flowing," Yorke sings on the opening track, "Let Down," a deep cut from OK Computer. Its recent resurgence on TikTok gave the band a modern hit. This song, with its gentle self-mockery, strikes a peculiar note of hope, bridging generations.
This time, the vocal shimmer and Greenwood's unique guitar melody are amplified by a powerful rhythm section. This sets the tone for the night, with the drum section, featuring Phil Selway, Clive Deamer, and Colin Greenwood, delivering a stunning performance on tracks like "2 + 2 = 5," "Bloom," and "Ful Stop."
Jonny Greenwood, Radiohead's secret weapon, shifts from soulful melodies to borderline brutality. His basslines have guided listeners through the band's complex studio work. The selections from Kid A – "Everything In Its Right Place," "Idioteque" – complete their 25-year evolution from icy soundscapes to crowd-pleasing anthems.
Even the upper tiers of the audience are bouncing to the tricky drum patterns of "15 Step," while Yorke reminds them that "it comes to us all." Yorke, now almost 60, dances around the stage to "The National Anthem," a song he apparently wrote at 16.
Yorke has always observed the elders of rock while keeping an ear on the sound of legacy acts. Radiohead, however, avoids this trap. Some fans may quibble over the setlist, but the performance of "Fake Plastic Trees" is explosive. Live performances have often revealed Radiohead's relief at being out of the studio, and that energy is palpable tonight.
Yorke says little beyond "gracias." But here's where it gets controversial... Some feel he should have spoken out more in recent years, while others still see him as the perfect voice for our uncertain times.
What do you think? Do you agree with the setlist choices? Let me know in the comments!
Setlist:
- Let Down
- 2 + 2 = 5
- Sit Down. Stand Up
- Bloom
- Lucky
- Ful Stop
- The Gloaming
- Myxomatosis
- No Surprises
- Videotape
- Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
- Everything in Its Right Place
- 15 Step
- The National Anthem
- Daydreaming
- A Wolf at the Door
- Bodysnatchers
- Idioteque
Encore:
- Fake Plastic Trees
- Subterranean Homesick Alien
- Paranoid Android
- How to Disappear Completely
- You and Whose Army?
- There There
- Karma Police
