Why the world needs more Radiohead shows
In 2017, Radiohead embarked on their A Moon Shaped Pool tour. It saw them bring their classic live shows to countries worldwide, but it also brought the band to a natural conclusion. They weren’t breaking up, but they hadn’t planned any further than that, and they were very upfront about not knowing what would be next.
“I would imagine we’ll keep going. I mean, I don’t know how, or when, but no, we’re not gonna stop,” said Thom Yorke, “I fucking hope not.”
Colin Greenwood had a similar mindset, as when he was asked what was happening after the tour, he was equally in the dark. “I don’t know what’s going to happen after July, so I can’t say anything beyond that,” he said, “But I love the people that I work with, and I love what everyone does. So we’ll see. But I’m happy to go play anywhere else.”
Seven years later, it appears that after an elongated hiatus, Radiohead is considering making a comeback. Both band members and other people close to the band have hinted that they are gearing up to take to the stage again, and it couldn’t come at a better time. As live music continues to be one of the most connective and exciting ways to experience our favourite art form, and as set design and artistic ambition surrounding tours continue to exceed expectations, there has never been a more perfect time for Radiohead shows.
Excitement was sparked amongst fans when the band’s friend and producer Nigel Godrich uploaded a cryptic tweet that has since been deleted. He posted three emojis in it: a radio, a head, and a question mark. While the post didn’t say anything explicit, the message was received loud and clear, but it remained pure speculation.
The whispers of a resurgence grew louder when bassist Colin Greenwood was asked about the possibility of future shows. “You know, we did some rehearsals about two months ago in London, just to play the old songs,” he said, “And it was really fun; we had a really good time.”
While nothing has been confirmed, and it could be dangerous for us all to get our hopes up, it’s hard not to be excited by the prospect of Radiohead returning for some gigs. They remain one of the most exciting and ambitious bands on the planet, creating in-depth records that touch upon various themes and push sonic boundaries in every direction possible. This ambition trickles into their live show, as they have always tried to put on a perfect gig, one filled with lights, an undeniable presence and perfectly executed music.
Let me take you back to 2016. I was lucky enough to get a chance to work in Chicago for a summer on placement from University. Whilst there, I went to Lollapalooza, where Radiohead were headlining. Their set slightly overlapped with Future’s, and I was big into hip hop at the time, but I sacrificed his last few songs because I fancied an indie girl back home and wanted to impress her by getting a good spot.
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t too big a fan. I knew the hits, as most people tend to, ‘Karma Police’, ‘Creep’, ‘Paranoid Android’, you know the ones. I can’t remember what I was expecting at the time, but it certainly wasn’t what I got.
Radiohead live is a unique experience, one where guitars, drums, bass and vocals all merge into obscurity. They’re there on the stage, sure, but you don’t hear them for what they are. Instead, it’s a wall of noise, one ascending, completely imperceptible, yet simultaneously the most connective piece of music you’ve ever heard. Out of all the bands I saw that weekend, none came close to Radiohead, but it wasn’t just about quality; they have an essence, an umami flavour that’s difficult to put your finger on and yet overrides everything about them.
It’s more than just sound that makes those gigs special, though. They can use clips, lights, screens, the crowd, all of it to build an atmosphere that beautifully provides a welcomed ladder built specifically for the audience’s latest dalliance in escapism. Before they came on stage, a talking segment of people said, “What does freedom mean?… Just a feeling, it’s just a feeling,” overpowering the roar of the crowd. There was a tension in the air so palpable as people waited for the music to cut through it.
This is back in 2016. The live experience has changed slightly since then, and I can’t pinpoint when it started, but the standard held by artists when it comes to putting live shows together has gotten higher and higher. While extravagant sets have always been a thing ever since Kiss took to the stage, they were few and far between, but now, every time you go see a big act you can guarantee that care and attention has gone into every aspect of their show.
I remember what I saw in Chicago, and when I put it in a modern context, the concept alone blows my mind. While expecting anything from Radiohead, who are notoriously unpredictable, is a dangerous game, the prospect of more live shows is enough to get anyone itching with excitement. They are precisely what people need right now, and a modern resurgence would undoubtedly go down as some of the best shows the band have ever done… It’s just a feeling.
