After seven long years of silence, Radiohead fans have reason to celebrate: the iconic British band is returning to the stage with a major European tour at the end of 2025. The news, confirmed this week, ends months of speculation and marks the first time the group will tour since 2018. For many, it’s nothing short of a musical homecoming.
According to ChronicleLive and other sources, Radiohead’s 2025 tour will span five major European cities, kicking off in Madrid before weaving its way through Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. The run includes four nights at each city’s premier arena, with London’s O2 Arena hosting the band on November 21, 22, 24, and 25. Other stops include Madrid’s Movistar Arena (November 4, 5, 7, and 8), Unipol Arena in Bologna (November 14, 15, 17, and 18), Royal Arena in Copenhagen (December 1, 2, 4, and 5), and the Uber Arena in Berlin (December 8, 9, 11, and 12).
For those eager to snag tickets, there’s a twist: entry to these highly anticipated shows will be available only through a registration process on Radiohead’s official website. Registration opens at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, and closes 72 hours later at 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 7. The band’s decision to handle ticket sales this way is likely an effort to ensure fairness and combat scalping, a problem that has plagued high-profile concert tours in recent years.
The announcement has sent ripples through the music world, not least because Radiohead’s influence and reputation have only grown during their absence. Formed in 1985 and signed to EMI in 1991, the Oxfordshire quintet first burst onto the scene with their 1993 debut album Pablo Honey, which featured the now-legendary single “Creep.” That song, with its plaintive chorus and raw emotion, became an anthem for a generation—and it still enjoys regular airplay and countless covers today.
But Radiohead didn’t rest on their laurels. Their 1995 follow-up, The Bends, cemented their reputation, with tracks like “Just” and “Fake Plastic Trees” showcasing a band unafraid to experiment with sound and structure. The album soared to number four on the UK charts, and “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” became their first top five single. Then, in 1997, the band released OK Computer, a record that would change the landscape of modern rock. With its haunting lead single “Paranoid Android,” as well as “Karma Police” and “No Surprises,” the album hit number one in the UK and just missed the top 20 in the U.S.—a remarkable feat for a band that so often defied pop conventions.
Over the years, Radiohead’s body of work has expanded in bold and unpredictable directions, earning them critical acclaim, Grammy awards, and a fiercely loyal global fanbase. To date, they’ve sold over 40 million albums worldwide and, as ChronicleLive notes, headlined the Glastonbury Festival in 2016—a performance that many still regard as one of the festival’s finest moments.
Yet, after their last tour in 2018, the band slipped into an extended hiatus. Rumors swirled about side projects, possible breakups, and the usual uncertainties that follow any long-standing group. But this week’s announcement puts all that to rest, at least for now. And the story behind their return is as down-to-earth as it is heartwarming.
In a message posted to Instagram and shared by multiple outlets, drummer Philip Selway offered fans a glimpse into the band’s decision-making process. “Last year, we got together to rehearse, just for the hell of it,” Selway wrote. “After a seven year pause, 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. It also made us want to play some shows together, so we hope you can make it to one of the upcoming dates. For now, it will just be these ones but who knows where this will all lead.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates with longtime listeners. Radiohead’s music has always been about more than just catchy hooks or technical prowess; it’s about connection—between band members, with their audience, and within the songs themselves. The band’s willingness to evolve, to take risks, and to challenge expectations is part of what has kept them relevant for decades.
The 2025 tour is shaping up to be a major event not just for diehard fans but for the wider music scene. The timing is notable, too: the announcement comes hot on the heels of other 90s legends, like Oasis, launching their own reunion tours. It seems nostalgia is in the air, but for Radiohead, this isn’t just about revisiting old glories. Their setlists, while sure to include classics, often feature deep cuts and reimagined arrangements, keeping even the most familiar songs feeling fresh.
For many, the chance to see Radiohead live is a rare treat. Their shows are renowned for their intensity and unpredictability—one night might feature an extended jam on “Everything in Its Right Place,” while another could see the band dust off a rarely played B-side. And with four nights in each city, fans may be tempted to catch more than one show, hoping for surprises and unique moments.
Of course, with excitement comes demand. Industry observers expect tickets to sell out quickly, especially for the London O2 Arena dates. The registration-only process may help level the playing field, but with only 20 shows on the schedule, competition will be fierce. Selway’s note that “for now, it will just be these ones but who knows where this will all lead” leaves a tantalizing door open for additional dates, but nothing is promised.
For now, fans are advised to mark their calendars for September 5, when ticket registration opens, and to keep an eye on Radiohead’s official channels for further updates. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or a newcomer drawn in by the band’s enduring mystique, this tour promises to be one of the musical highlights of 2025.
After years of uncertainty, Radiohead’s return is a reminder of the enduring power of music to bring people together—and of the magic that can happen when old friends pick up their instruments and see where the music takes them.