The British rock scene is buzzing with both nostalgia and fresh perspective as two of its most influential bands, Radiohead and Bring Me The Horizon (BMTH), make headlines for very different reasons this September. While Radiohead is set to return to the stage for their first live tour in seven years, BMTH’s frontman Oli Sykes is candidly reflecting on the band’s place in the ever-evolving world of music festivals, signaling a shift in ambition and musical identity.
On September 3, 2025, Radiohead delighted fans and industry watchers alike by announcing a highly anticipated 20-date European tour slated for November and December. According to Reuters, this marks the legendary group’s first live performances since 2018, ending a seven-year hiatus that left many wondering if the band would ever return to the touring circuit. The announcement was made by drummer Philip Selway, who shared via Instagram, “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 with a musical identity that has become lodged deep inside all five of us.”
The tour will see Radiohead, comprised of lead singer Thom Yorke, guitarists Jonny Greenwood and Ed O'Brien, bassist Colin Greenwood, and Selway himself, performing four shows each in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Fans eager to catch the band live can register for tickets starting September 5, 2025. The anticipation is palpable, with the return of Radiohead following closely on the heels of Oasis’s recent and critically acclaimed reunion tour, a move that has rekindled excitement for British rock’s golden era.
Radiohead’s legacy is hard to overstate. Their landmark third album, OK Computer, released in 1997, broke new ground with its exploration of anxiety and alienation, themes that sharply contrasted with the prevailing optimism of the Britpop movement. The band’s willingness to experiment, both sonically and lyrically, cemented their status as pioneers, and their return to the stage is being greeted as more than mere nostalgia—it’s a chance for fans old and new to witness a group that has consistently challenged musical conventions.
Yet, as Radiohead steps back into the limelight, another British band is taking a more introspective approach. Bring Me The Horizon, the Sheffield-based rock outfit that has steadily climbed the ranks of the global music scene, is re-examining its relationship with mainstream festivals. Fresh off a headlining performance at the Reading & Leeds festival, BMTH’s lead vocalist Oli Sykes spoke candidly to NME about the band’s current outlook.
“Glastonbury is not our world. I don't even know if this is our world. We will always feel like the oppressed, and it's hard to see ourselves as the main gen-pop band,” Sykes said, as quoted by NME on September 3. His remarks reflect a sense of artistic independence and a reluctance to conform to the expectations often placed on bands at the top of their game.
Sykes went on to explain that, while the thought of performing at iconic festivals like Glastonbury in the UK or Coachella in the US was once a driving ambition, the band’s priorities have shifted. “Maybe five or six years ago, that was our ambition. Maybe playing at Coachella and the like. It's not our world. We're not a cool and trendy barista-core band. We have our own style,” he said. This perspective marks a clear departure from earlier aspirations and highlights BMTH’s commitment to forging their own path, even if it means standing apart from the mainstream.
“We are strange and extraordinary who did all this. We have just created our own style and we really enjoy it. We are very happy, this band is a best friend, and everything is fine. Why do you have to rock? Why do you have to force yourself into a round hole if we're just sweeping a square?” Sykes mused. His comments underscore a broader trend among artists who, rather than chasing mass appeal, are choosing to double down on authenticity and creative freedom.
This evolution in attitude is particularly striking when contrasted with the high-profile comebacks of bands like Radiohead and Oasis, both of whom have embraced the opportunity to reconnect with massive audiences. For Radiohead, the upcoming tour is not just a victory lap but a reaffirmation of their enduring relevance in a music landscape that has changed dramatically since their last shows. For BMTH, however, the focus is less on fitting into established festival lineups and more on cultivating a unique identity that resonates with their core fanbase.
The juxtaposition of these two bands’ trajectories offers a fascinating snapshot of the current state of British rock. On one hand, there is the allure of legacy acts returning to the stage, drawing crowds with decades of hits and a reputation for innovation. On the other, there are bands like BMTH, whose willingness to question the value of mainstream acceptance points to a broader shift in how success is defined within the industry.
Industry observers note that the return of Radiohead and the introspective stance of BMTH both speak to the enduring power of British rock to reinvent itself. While the festivals themselves—Glastonbury, Coachella, Reading & Leeds—remain cultural touchstones, the artists who headline them are increasingly aware of the trade-offs involved in pursuing mass appeal versus maintaining artistic integrity.
For fans, this means a wealth of options: the chance to see Radiohead revisit their classic catalog and perhaps introduce new material, and the opportunity to support bands like BMTH as they chart their own course. The music scene, it seems, is big enough for both the legends and the iconoclasts, for those who seek the spotlight and those who prefer the shadows.
As Radiohead prepares to take Europe by storm and BMTH continues to challenge the status quo, the message is clear: British rock is alive, well, and as diverse as ever. Whether on the main stage or in the underground, the spirit of innovation and self-discovery continues to define the genre.
With ticket sales for Radiohead’s tour opening soon and BMTH’s candid reflections sparking fresh debate, the coming months promise to be memorable for fans and musicians alike. The only certainty is that the story of British rock is far from over—and its next chapter is being written right now, both on the big stage and behind the scenes.
