Radiohead Returns After 7 Years with Rare Setlist Highlights
Radiohead marked its long-awaited return to the stage after a hiatus of seven years. The iconic rock band kicked off its reunion tour on Tuesday in Madrid, Spain, showcasing a remarkable setlist that spanned their extensive career.
Highlights from Radiohead’s First Concert in Seven Years
The concert featured 25 songs, starting with “Let Down.” This track recently gained renewed popularity, making its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 nearly three decades after its original release on the album “OK Computer,” thanks to social media resurgence on TikTok.
Among the notable moments, Radiohead performed “Sit Down. Stand Up” live for the first time since 2004, a rarity from their 2003 album “Hail to Thief.” The setlist included a variety of fan-favorites and classic hits:
- Karma Police
- Paranoid Android
- Subterranean Homesick Alien
- Everything In Its Right Place
- Idioteque
- The National Anthem
- A Wolf at the Door
- Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
- Bloom
- Daydreaming
- Fake Plastic Trees
Dynamic Setlist and Unique Performance Style
This tour features Radiohead performing in the center of the arena, enhancing the concert experience. The setlist was dynamic, with the band drawing from an extensive pool of approximately 65 potential songs.
Thom Yorke remarked on the band’s significant discography, stating, “We have too many songs… we’re contrary bastards.” He kept stage banter minimal, responding with “Fair enough” to the applause during the encore.
Upcoming Tour Dates and Future Prospects
Radiohead’s reunion tour is set to continue Wednesday in Madrid, with additional concerts planned in cities like London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Rumors of their reunion circulated for months, intensified by the formation of a new partnership, RHEUK25 LLP.
After months of separate projects, the band members reunited for rehearsal in 2025. Philip Selway expressed nostalgia for their musical identity, mentioning, “It felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect with a musical identity that has become lodged deep inside all five of us.”
A Legacy of Innovation
Radiohead is celebrated for its experimental sound and has received multiple accolades, including Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. Their influential albums consistently feature in lists of the greatest albums of all time.
The band has not released new music together since 2016’s “A Moon Shaped Pool,” but they have remained active individually. Yorke and Jonny Greenwood have had success with their side project, The Smile, while other members have pursued solo ventures.
The anticipation surrounding Radiohead’s return was palpable, with many expressing that the wait was well worth it. The unique performance and unforgettable setlist confirmed the band’s continued ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
