Thom Yorke Explains Why Radiohead Took a Seven-Year Break from Live Shows

Thom Yorke opens up about Radiohead’s seven-year live hiatus, revealing the band “had to stop” when things unraveled in 2018.

When the Wheels Came Off: Radiohead’s Long Pause from the Stage

If you’ve been waiting with bated breath for Radiohead to hit the stage again, you’re not alone. After a jaw-dropping run of shows culminating in their 2018 world tour’s final stop at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, the band went silent on the live front for a staggering seven years.

Radiohead closing their 2018 tour in full force

In an intimate chat with The Times, Thom Yorke finally revealed the candid reason behind this extended break: “I guess the wheels came off a bit, so we had to stop.” It wasn’t a sudden halt but a necessary one, driven by a mix of personal and professional turbulence. Thom explained, “The shows felt great but it was, like, let’s halt now before we walk off this cliff.”

It’s astonishing to reflect on how a band known for their relentless creativity and intensity could come to this crossroads. Yet for Radiohead, it was a moment of raw honesty and self-preservation.

The Personal Battles Behind the Silence

The 2018 halt wasn’t just about the tour fatigue or creative burnout. For Thom Yorke, it was deeply personal. The loss of his first wife, Dr. Rachel Owen, in December 2016 left an indelible mark on him. “I needed to stop anyway,” Thom confided. “Because I hadn’t really given myself time to grieve.”

He shared how grief took strange forms that made continuing impossible: “[My grief] was coming out in ways that made me think, I need to take this away.”

Music, normally a sanctuary for Thom, became almost painful during those dark times. “Music can be a way to find meaning in things and the idea of having to stop it, even when it makes sense to, because you’re not well? Even at my lowest point? I can’t. I need something that I can hold on to. But there have been points in my life where I have looked for solace in music and played the piano, but it literally hurts. Physically. The music hurts, because you’re going through trauma.”

Ed O’Brien’s Dark Night and Rediscovery of the Band’s Magic

Guitarist Ed O’Brien also opened up about his struggles during the band’s hiatus. He admitted he was “nervous going into rehearsals because I was effectively over Radiohead [in 2018].” The exhaustion was palpable. “It wasn’t great on the last round. I enjoyed the gigs but hated the rest. We felt disconnected, fucking spent. It happens. This has been our whole life – what else is there?”

Ed’s honesty shines a light on the pressures of lifelong success. “Look, success has a funny effect on people – I just didn’t want to do it anymore. And I told them that.”

But the story takes a hopeful turn. Ed went through a significant depression and hit rock bottom in 2021. Emerging from that, he realized the deep bond he still had with his bandmates. “One of the things that was lovely coming out of it was realising how much I love these guys. I met them when I was 17 and I have gone from thinking I can’t see myself doing it again to realising that, you know, we do have some stellar songs.”

Returning to the Stage: Radiohead’s 2025 Tour Announcement

After all this time, Radiohead confirmed their return to live performances in September, announcing a series of shows across Europe. The band will play four nights each in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin from November 4 to December 12, 2025. Tickets for these gigs flew off the shelves almost immediately, underscoring just how missed they have been by fans worldwide.

This will be their first set of live shows since the end of their ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ tour in 2018 — a reunion many fans have eagerly awaited.

Navigating Controversy: The Band’s Stance on Israel-Palestine

In the same interview, the band members discussed the controversies surrounding their political views, particularly their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Thom called the scrutiny a “low-level Arthur Miller witch-hunt” that “wakes him up at night.”

Radiohead has faced criticism for their 2017 Tel Aviv concert and Thom’s onstage clash with a pro-Palestinian protester in Melbourne earlier this year. Jonny Greenwood, too, has been targeted for collaborating and performing with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa, sparking debates on both sides of the political spectrum.

Thom made it clear he would “absolutely not” play in Israel with the band again. However, Jonny Greenwood offered a different perspective, describing the backlash as “the embodiment of the left.” He added, “The left look for traitors, the right for converts and it’s depressing that we are the closest they can get.”

Meanwhile, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has called for a boycott of Radiohead’s upcoming tour, accusing the band of “complicit silence” during what they term as “genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”

Reflecting on a Band’s Journey Through Pain, Politics, and Passion

The seven-year break reveals a side of Radiohead that fans rarely see: the vulnerable human struggles behind the iconic music. Thom’s words resonate deeply: “I guess the wheels came off a bit, so we had to stop.” It’s a reminder that even legends need to pause, grieve, and rediscover their love for the craft and each other.

As they prepare to take the stage once more, there’s a palpable sense of renewal—not just for the band, but for the millions who’ve been waiting to experience that magic again.

FAQ

• Why did Radiohead stop playing live shows after 2018?
  Thom Yorke explained that the band “had to stop” because “the wheels came off a bit,” compounded by personal grief and exhaustion.
• When will Radiohead return to live performances?
  Radiohead announced a 2025 European tour with shows in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin from November to December.
• How did Thom Yorke’s personal loss affect the band’s hiatus?
  The passing of his first wife deeply impacted Thom, making it difficult for him to continue performing without time to grieve.
• What controversies have surrounded Radiohead’s stance on Israel-Palestine?
  The band faced backlash for a 2017 Tel Aviv show, Thom’s protester clash in 2024, and Jonny Greenwood’s collaborations with Israeli artists, sparking political debate.
• Are tickets for the 2025 tour still available?
  Tickets sold out very quickly, showing how eagerly fans await their return to the stage.

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