Radiohead have confirmed their first live shows since 2018: four-night residencies this November and December in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen and Berlin, while pro‑Palestine activists call for a boycott over guitarist Jonny Greenwood’s past performances in Tel Aviv.
Key takeaways
- The band will perform four-night residencies at one venue in five European cities this winter (Nov–Dec 2025).
- Tickets require pre-registration on Radiohead’s website; priority will be given to local demand and verified fans.
- Each UK ticket will include a £1 levy for the Live Trust; €1 per European ticket will be donated to Médecins Sans Frontières, with Radiohead matching totals raised.
- Pro‑Palestine campaigners, citing Greenwood’s previous Tel Aviv performance, have urged fans to boycott the tour until the band distances itself.
- Band members have pursued solo and side projects since 2018; no new studio album has been announced.
- Some prior Radiohead-related shows were cancelled in 2023–24 amid security concerns and protests.
Verified facts
Radiohead announced a string of European dates consisting of four-night residencies at a single arena in each city: Movistar Arena (Madrid), Unipol Arena (Bologna), The O2 (London), Royal Arena (Copenhagen) and Uber Arena (Berlin). The Spanish, Italian and UK residencies are scheduled for November; the Danish and German runs are set for December.
The band said ticket sales will use a pre-registration system on their official site to limit bots and touts, with allocations weighted toward those living closer to the shows and separate allocations for people travelling within and outside Europe. They also stated the charity contributions: a £1 levy per UK ticket for the Live Trust and €1 per European ticket for Médecins Sans Frontières, with Radiohead matching the latter.
Radiohead members have remained active individually since their 2018 tour. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood have released albums and performed with the Smile; Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood and Philip Selway have undertaken solo releases and collaborations. No official announcement has been made about a new Radiohead studio album.
Jonny Greenwood recorded and performed with Israeli artist Dudu Tassa on the 2023 album Jarak Qaribak; performances in Tel Aviv and other activity during the Israel–Gaza conflict in 2023–24 prompted criticism from pro‑Palestine groups. Some related shows were cancelled in 2023 and 2024 after reported security threats.
| Venue | City | Dates (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Movistar Arena | Madrid, Spain | 4, 5, 7, 8 November |
| Unipol Arena | Bologna, Italy | 14, 15, 17, 18 November |
| The O2 | London, UK | 21, 22, 24, 25 November |
| Royal Arena | Copenhagen, Denmark | 1, 2, 4, 5 December |
| Uber Arena | Berlin, Germany | 8, 9, 11, 12 December |
Context & impact
Radiohead’s return to live performance is notable because it is their first set of shows since finishing the A Moon Shaped Pool tour in 2018. The announcement has generated high demand among fans and intense media attention because of the political controversy attached to Greenwood’s past projects and performances in Israel.
The boycott call, led by pro‑Palestine campaigners, aims to pressure artists and institutions associated with Israel during the Gaza war. Such cultural boycotts have in the past affected programming choices, prompted venue security reviews and led to cancellations or relocations of events.
For promoters and venues, the controversy raises operational questions: increased security, potential protests outside arenas, communications with ticket-holders, and contingency planning for show alterations or cancellations. Artists and management must weigh reputational, ethical and safety considerations alongside commercial and creative interests.
Official statements
“Last year, we got together to rehearse, just for the hell of it. After a seven‑year pause, it felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect… It also made us want to play some shows together, so we hope you can make it to one of the upcoming dates.”
Philip Selway / Radiohead statement
“Palestinians reiterate our call for the boycott of Radiohead concerts, including its rumoured tour, until the group convincingly distances itself, at a minimum, from Jonny Greenwood’s crossing of our peaceful picket line during Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”
Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI)
Unconfirmed
- No official confirmation that the tour will expand beyond the listed European residencies.
- It is not publicly confirmed whether all band members share identical views on Greenwood’s Tel Aviv performances.
- Reports of exact ticket allocation quantities and resale limits have not been independently verified.
Bottom line
Radiohead’s short winter residencies mark a high-profile return to live performance, but the tour opens with political friction that could shape public reception and operational planning. Fans, venues and campaigners are likely to continue to engage publicly as tickets go on sale and the shows approach.
Sources
- The Guardian — original reporting on the announcement and boycott response
- Radiohead official website — ticket registration and band statements
- PACBI — campaign statement and boycott call