A few days ago in Madrid, at the Movistar Arena, Radiohead returned in what can only be described as a mission-critical homecoming. After seven years away from the road, the Oxford five-piece made it clear: we still need them. And they absolutely delivered.
A comeback built on surprise and obsession
It’s no small feat for a band like Radiohead to re-emerge after such a long hiatus and land with impact. Their last full live activity dates back to their 2018 A Moon Shaped Pool tour. But rehearsal hints had already surfaced earlier this year—bassist Colin Greenwood confirmed the group were back in the studio in London “just to play the old songs.” A new limited-liability partnership, RHEUK25, had also been registered, fuelling speculation that something major was brewing.
On stage, they made bold production choices: performing in the round, surrounded by fans, with semi-translucent video curtains that lifted during key songs. “Bloom” melted into abstract visuals; Thom Yorke darted across the stage, twisting through the lights in his signature, hypnotic way.
The setlist: More than greatest-hits
Opening with “Let Down” felt like a statement. This wasn’t a nostalgia trip—it was a reckoning. Much of Hail to the Thief resurfaced, including the first live outing of “Sit Down. Stand Up.” since 2004. The band are reportedly working from a pool of 65 songs to rotate each night, keeping things unpredictable.
The encore delivered a knockout sequence: “Fake Plastic Trees,” “How to Disappear Completely,” “Paranoid Android,”and “Karma Police.” Every moment felt like reclamation—Radiohead reconnecting with their audience on their own terms.
Why it mattered
Beyond nostalgia, this show reminded everyone why Radiohead became more than a band—they became a cultural force. Their seven-year silence only sharpened the hunger, and their return didn’t coast on legacy. They arrived with intent, curiosity, and clarity.
The setlist and staging choices pointed to something deeper than a simple reunion. The design emphasized immersion, not spectacle; presence, not perfection. The performance was a reminder that art, even in its most cerebral form, can still be communal, visceral, and human.
What next?
No new album has been announced yet. The European tour continues through Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. With dozens of songs rehearsed and a renewed sense of creative electricity, this run feels less like a farewell and more like a new beginning.
Radiohead aren’t simply back—they’ve reminded us why we’ve missed them, and why their strange, searching music still feels vital in 2025.
In short: if you thought their best days were behind them, last night proved otherwise. The ghosts of expectation were met, tackled, and transformed into something transcendent. The revival has begun.