Radiohead has confirmed 20 European arena dates spanning November and December 2025, officially ending their seven-year touring absence and marking one of the most significant comebacks in contemporary rock. This announcement validates months of fan speculation and industry anticipation, bringing the legendary alternative rock band back to stages they haven’t graced since 2018.
The scale of this return demonstrates Radiohead’s enduring draw across generations—from longtime followers who’ve tracked every cryptic communication to newer listeners discovering the band through streaming platforms.
The Long-Awaited Return
Twenty shows from Madrid to Berlin mark the band’s largest tour commitment since their 2018 hiatus.
The confirmed dates hit Madrid’s Movistar Arena (November 4, 5, 7, 8), Bologna’s Unipol Arena (November 14, 15, 17, 18), London’s O2 (November 21, 22, 24, 25), Copenhagen’s Royal Arena (December 1, 2, 4, 5), and Berlin’s Uber Arena (December 8, 9, 11, 12). These aren’t festival slots or one-off appearances—this represents Radiohead committing to sustained live performance after their longest break since achieving global recognition.
The timing coincides with the October 31, 2025 release of Hail to the Thief (Live), suggesting a coordinated effort to re-engage with both their catalog and live audience simultaneously.
Essential Tour Details:
- First live shows since 2018
- 20 dates across 5 European cities
- Tickets exclusively through W.A.S.T.E. pre-registration
- Coincides with Hail to the Thief (Live) album release
- RHEUK25 LLP business formation preceded announcement
Classic Radiohead: Mystery Before Revelation
Business entities, charity auctions, and guerrilla flyers built anticipation without traditional promotion.
The breadcrumbs started dropping in March with RHEUK25 LLP—a business entity formed by all five members, echoing their historic pattern of corporate preparation before major announcements. Charity auction tickets for Los Angeles fire relief followed, then physical flyers materialized in European cities weeks before confirmation. Even the W.A.S.T.E. website’s source code contained clues for dedicated fans parsing HTML for hints.
This methodical revelation reflects Thom Yorke’s stated philosophy: “I think we’ve earned the right to do what makes sense to us without having to explain ourselves or be answerable to anyone else’s historical idea of what we should be doing.” While contemporaries like Oasis generate headlines through social media feuds, Radiohead builds anticipation through calculated mystery.
For fans discovering tracks like “Paranoid Android” or “Everything In Its Right Place” through streaming platforms, experiencing these songs live requires patience and preparation. Pre-registration through the W.A.S.T.E. site—their anti-scalping measure since the early 2000s—began September 5, with no guarantee of ticket access. This scarcity isn’t artificial marketing; it’s Radiohead operating exactly as they always have, prioritizing genuine fans over maximum profit extraction.
The tour represents more than nostalgia—it’s a continuation of an artistic journey that has consistently redefined the boundaries between rock, electronics, and experimental music across three decades.
