Subsequent month, Radiohead will reconvene for his or her first tour dates in seven years. In anticipation, all 5 members spoke with The Sunday Occasions for what’s being billed as their first full-band interview in years. They mentioned their choice to take a break in 2018, their upcoming tour and the potential of new music, in addition to the current controversy stemming from Thom Yorke’s feedback concerning the state of affairs in Gaza and Jonny Greenwood’s affiliation with Israeli musicians.
On the choice to pause Radiohead following their tour in 2018…
Yorke admitted that he had by no means “actually given myself time to grieve” following the demise of his first spouse, Rachel Owen, in December 2016. “[My grief] was popping out in ways in which made me assume, I must take this away,” he defined. “There have been factors in my life the place I’ve appeared for solace in music and performed the piano, but it surely actually hurts. Bodily. The music hurts, since you’re going by way of trauma.”
In the meantime, Ed O’Brien mentioned he was “successfully over Radiohead” by the point they determined to take a break. “It wasn’t nice on the final spherical. I loved the gigs however hated the remaining. We felt disconnected, fucking spent. It occurs. This has been our complete life — what else is there? Look, success has a humorous impact on individuals — I simply didn’t wish to do it any extra. And I instructed them that .”
“I went by way of a really lengthy darkish night time of the soul,” O’Brien added. “I had a deep despair. I hit the underside in 2021. And one of many issues that was pretty popping out of it was realizing how a lot I like these guys. I met them after I was 17 and I’ve gone from considering I can’t see myself doing it once more to realizing that, you recognize, we do have some stellar songs.”
On the upcoming tour…
Yorke despatched the band an preliminary listing of 65 songs for them to attract from when crafting their nightly setlists. The band may also be taking part in within the spherical, one thing they haven’t performed since opening for Ned’s Atomic Dustbin in 1993.
On plans for brand new music…
“I don’t know. We haven’t thought previous the tour,” mentioned Johnny Greenwood.
“I’m simply shocked we bought this far,” added Yorke.
On the continued controversy surrounding Yorke’s feedback concerning Gaza and Greenwood’s affiliation with Israeli musicians…
Radiohead has performed live shows in Israel a number of instances over the course of their profession, together with in 2017 once they ignored a request by Roger Waters to cancel a gig in Tel Aviv in assist of the BDS motion. Yorke was additionally notably heckled by a pro-Palestine viewers member throughout a solo live performance in Melbourne, Australia in October 2024, prompting him to briefly stroll off stage.
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Earlier this 12 months, Yorke revealed an intensive assertion responding to criticism over his response — or perceived lack thereof — to Israel’s battle in Palestine, whereas additionally condemning what he described as “social media witch hunts.”
Additional addressing the controversy with The Sunday Occasions, Yorke mentioned, “This wakes me up at night time. They’re telling me what it’s that I’ve performed with my life, and what I ought to do subsequent, and that what I believe is meaningless. Folks wish to take what I’ve performed meaning a lot to thousands and thousands of individuals and wipe me out. However this isn’t theirs to take from me — and I don’t think about I’m a nasty particular person.”
“A couple of instances lately I’ve had ‘Free Palestine!’ shouted at me on the road,” Yorke continued. “I talked to a man. His shtick was, ‘You will have a platform, an obligation and should distance your self from Jonny.’ However I mentioned, ‘You and me, standing on the road in London, shouting at one another? Effectively, the true criminals, who needs to be in entrance of the ICC [International Criminal Court], are laughing at us squabbling amongst ourselves within the public realm and on social media — whereas they simply keep on with impunity, murdering individuals.’ It’s an expression of impotency. It’s a purity take a look at, low-level Arthur Miller witch-hunt. I totally respect the dismay but it surely’s very odd to be on the receiving finish.”
Greenwood has confronted his personal criticisms for his affiliation with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa and for performing in Tel Aviv final 12 months. Earlier this 12 months, Greenwood and Tassa canceled two UK exhibits after receiving alleged threats related to protests in opposition to Israel.
“It’s the embodiment of the left,” Greenwood instructed The Sunday Occasions. “The left search for traitors, the suitable for converts and it’s miserable that we’re the closest they will get.”
Greenwood revealed he’s engaged on one other document with Israeli and Center Japanese musicians, including, “And it’s nuts I really feel frightened to confess that. But that feels progressive to me — booing at a live performance doesn’t strike me as courageous or progressive.”
He continued, “Look, I’ve been to antigovernment protests in Israel and you can’t transfer for all of the ‘Fuck Ben-Gvir’ stickers. I spend plenty of time there with household [he is married to an Israeli artist, Sharona Katan] and can’t simply say, ‘I’m not making music with you fuckers due to the federal government.’ It is senseless to me. I’ve no loyalty — or respect, clearly — to their authorities, however I’ve each for the artists born there.”
Yorke Says He Would Not Play Israel Now, Greenwood Can’t Say the Similar…
“Completely not. I wouldn’t wish to be 5,000 miles wherever close to the Netanyahu regime however Jonny has roots there. So I get it,” York mentioned.
“I’d additionally politely disagree with Thom,” Greenwood responded. “I’d argue that the federal government is extra possible to make use of a boycott and say, ‘Everybody hates us — we should always do precisely what we would like.’ Which is way extra harmful.”
“It’s nuts,” Greenwood added. “The one factor that I’m ashamed of is that I’ve dragged Thom and the others into this mess — however I’m not ashamed of working with Arab and Jewish musicians. I can’t apologize for that.”
Yorke additionally admitted to worrying about Radiohead’s upcoming tour being disrupted by protestors. “However they don’t care about us. It’s about getting one thing on Instagram of one thing dramatic occurring and, no, I don’t assume Israel ought to do Eurovision. However I don’t assume Eurovision ought to do Eurovision. So what do I do know?”
On the current viral success of “Let Down” on platforms like TikTok…
“I discover that particularly weird,” Yorke mentioned. “As a result of I fought tooth and nail for it to not be on [OK Computer], however Ed was, like, ‘If it’s not, I’m leaving.’” It’s, O’Brien added, the “emotional coronary heart” of OK Laptop. “Nonetheless, I used to be astonished,” he admitted. “So I instructed my children, who’re 18 and 21, they usually mentioned, ‘What do you anticipate? Youngsters are depressed. It’s miserable music!’”
You may learn the complete interview at The Sunday Occasions.