Recommendations of the Editorial team
One week after the official announcement of her European tour, bassist Colin Greenwood gives first insights into the dramaturgy of the Radiohead concerts. The band plans 20 arena concerts in five cities. The first joint appearances in seven years.
Radiohead return with flexible dramaturgy to the arena
In the Adam Buxton Podcast Greenwood outlines the starting point. The repertoire was “reduced to about 70 songs”. However, he and his brother Jonny Greenwood would not decide on the setlist – “because we are too undecided”. Instead of a rigid plan, the program “like street musicians” wanted to treat. Songs in any order, “depending on space, acoustics and energy in the hall”. Let’s hope that the band can do it well-even setlist rotator like Pearl Jam are at least writing on the stage before going on the stage, which songs are played equally …
Greenwood also dampens the hope of new material. At least for the tour of the tour. It is “the first tour on which we are probably not trying to try out new material”. He does not want to rule out spontaneous ideas. “Maybe something will be added – or not.” This openness fits the band’s impro-spirit. The pool made of 70 pieces allows large thematic arches-from the early art rock to the electronic epochs to the chamber game-like late works.
The mix approach also offers space for regional accents. Cities-specific focus, rarely played deep cuts or alternative arrangements are conceivable. Radiohead in particular benefits from sequences that build tension over several songs-for example from fragile pianopics into eruptive guitar walls, or from beat-driven electronics phases into orchestral width.
Between rejection and hint: the long lane to the reunion
Actually an ideal case to get tickets for all four concerts in a city. So the probability would be great to hear a lot of different songs. But unfortunately that doesn’t work. The strict pre -sale rules stipulate that a buyer can only buy tickets (four maximum) for a single city. So Radiohead wants to ensure that as many different fans as possible can see one of the concerts. Because the rush on the 20 arena shows could be very, very large. If you are looking for tickets, you may now pay less attention to fixed song promises and more on the experience of a band that sees her discography as a living score.
The return of Radiohead was by no means presumed. Greenwood confirmed joint summer rehearsals last year. However, he emphasized that this does not automatically indicate tour plans. Shortly afterwards, Thom Yorke made it public that he was “really shit” whether the fans wanted a return. The message was final. And yet the story remained open.
In March, speculation picked up speed again. The band founded its own partnership in order to be able to act more independently of labels and external partners – a move that signals creative and organizational autonomy.