Radiohead Reveals Personal Loss and Burnout Behind Seven-Year Touring Hiatus

Radiohead is set to return to the stage this November after a seven-year break from touring, a pause frontman Thom Yorke attributes to personal grief and emotional exhaustion.

In a recent interview, Yorke detailed the difficulties experienced during the final dates of the band’s A Moon Shaped Pool tour in 2018, stating, “The shows felt great but it was, like, let’s halt now before we walk off this cliff.” He also spoke candidly about needing time to grieve following the death of his first wife, Dr. Rachel Owen, in 2016, explaining that music itself became a source of pain. “There have been points in my life where I’ve looked for solace in music and played the piano, but it literally hurts. Physically. The music hurts, because you’re going through trauma.”

Guitarist Ed O’Brien echoed Yorke’s sentiments, admitting he was “effectively over Radiohead” by the tour’s end and feeling “disconnected” and “spent.” However, O’Brien later reflected on a low point in 2021, leading to a renewed appreciation for his bandmates. This return to performing marks a significant moment for fans who have eagerly awaited the band’s return, as Radiohead is known for its innovative and influential sound within the art rock genre.

The band’s upcoming European tour, consisting of 20 shows across Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin, sold out immediately after tickets went on sale. Members also addressed ongoing criticism regarding past performances in Tel Aviv and collaborations with Israeli artists, with Yorke describing the related scrutiny as a “low-level Arthur Miller witch-hunt” that causes him distress. The band is expected to address these issues further during the tour, according to statements released yesterday.