Radiohead has made a highly anticipated return to the stage after a seven-year hiatus, captivating fans with their opening night performance in Madrid. The excitement surrounding their comeback tour is palpable, and fans can find details about the setlist, captivating footage, stunning photos, and more from this unforgettable night.
Just two months ago, Thom Yorke and the rest of Radiohead announced their long-awaited comeback tour, which features four-night performances in major cities, including Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin throughout the autumn and winter. The band has adopted a unique "busking approach" to their setlists, having rehearsed over 65 songs from their extensive back catalog, promising a fresh experience for fans attending their shows.
During soundcheck for their opening gig at Movistar Arena in Madrid, the band impressively ran through a full set of 28 songs. Their actual setlist, while three songs shorter, still delivered a collection of fan favorites and lesser-played deep cuts on the evening of November 4.
Taking the stage in the round, behind a mesmerizing see-through LED screen that projected live images of the performance, the Oxford icons opened with the track ‘Let Down.’ This song has recently gained renewed popularity in the U.S., going viral on TikTok, much to the band's astonishment. The setlist heavily featured tracks from their 2003 album Hail To The Thief, which was recently revisited for the Yorke co-created Hamlet To The Thief play and an archive live album.
Among the highlights was ‘Sit Down. Stand Up,’ performed for the first time since 2004, showcasing the band's willingness to dig deep into their catalog. The setlist also celebrated their iconic albums, such as OK Computer—including the first performance of ‘Subterranean Homesick Alien’ since 2017—and In Rainbows, offering fans a career-spanning banquet of music.
With the band expected to vary their setlist for each performance, fans are eagerly anticipating their next show in Madrid, scheduled for tomorrow. The excitement is building as they wonder what surprises Radiohead will unveil next.
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On the same day, Radiohead unveiled their new merchandise line, which is also available for online purchase. However, the band has not released any new music since A Moon Shaped Pool in 2016. When asked about the potential for new material, Jonny Greenwood expressed uncertainty, and Yorke mentioned, “We haven’t thought past the tour. I’m just stunned we got this far.”
In addition to their musical endeavors, Radiohead has faced controversies regarding their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Yorke described the “low-level Arthur Miller witch-hunt” surrounding the topic as something that “wakes him up at night.” This controversy dates back to 2017 when the band faced backlash for performing in Tel Aviv. Last year, Yorke had a confrontation with a protester at a solo show in Melbourne.
Jonny Greenwood has also faced criticism for collaborating with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa. Yorke stated he would “absolutely not” play in Israel again, while Greenwood “politely disagreed,” characterizing the backlash as “the embodiment of the left.” He remarked, “The left look for traitors, the right for converts, and it’s depressing that we are the closest they can get.” Due to their position, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has called for a boycott of their upcoming shows, arguing that the band’s actions amount to “complicit silence” amidst ongoing conflicts.
