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Unless they were willing to fly across the Atlantic, US Radiohead fans came away empty-handed for the band’s first tour in seven years. The concert series, which ended last month, included 20 shows in five European cities.
Afterwards, the band completely disappeared from the scene again, while fans in the USA longingly admired videos. For example about the rediscovery of “Sit Down, Stand Up”.
Now – as discussed in the current podcast ROLLING STONE Music Now – the big question arises as to whether Radiohead will perform again in the USA in 2026. A spokesman for the band said there was currently no new information about this.
Triumphant European shows and unanswered questions
Radiohead’s European tour with stops in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen and Berlin was a success. Apart from occasional grumbling about the round stage concept and lowering screens that limited the view of the band at the start of some shows. When the tour was announced in September, drummer Philip Selway specifically described the dates as a test run. “For now it’s just these dates. But who knows where it will all lead.”
But does it actually lead to the United States? As explained in the podcast, it initially seems to speak against the fact that bassist Colin Greenwood is already on tour with Nick Cave this summer. However, Greenwood suggested in a Rolling Stone Music Now interview last year that he made this commitment before it was clear that Radiohead would be active again. So the band could definitely adjust their schedule.
Do Radiohead even want to go back?
(The full podcast episode is available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or can be played directly.)
The bigger unknown, however, is whether Radiohead have any desire to continue. The only interview about the tour brought to light internal tensions and political differences. “Someone said this article was like a group therapy session,” notes ROLLING STONE’s Andy Greene in the podcast.
The band seemed visibly happy together on stage. But internal dynamics are difficult to assess. “You never know,” Greene continued. “To do nothing for seven years, then only play five European markets and disappear again would be quite a disappointment.”
View of the concert landscape in 2026
The rest of the episode deals with the general concert situation in 2026. This includes announced tours by Rush, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and many others. Big names who have not yet made their plans official will also be discussed. Harry Styles has not played a concert since July 2023. But posters and a new website hint at an upcoming album. And with an album almost always comes live shows.
The situation is similar with Beyoncé. Rumors of a new album persist, and concerts are expected to follow. Olivia Rodrigo is also generally expected to release new music. It is hardly conceivable that this would appear without an accompanying tour.
Concert etiquette and old favorites
Elsewhere, the discussion turns again to the ongoing dispute over concert etiquette: bright cell phone screens, loudly screaming along to pop songs, the sit-or-stand debate – and, surprisingly, people still shouting “Freebird” into the audience. “I’ve been hearing this stupid joke at concerts for 30 years,” Greene says. “And he still makes people laugh. That’s what’s annoying about it.”
ROLLING STONE Music Now, Rolling Stone’s weekly podcast hosted by Brian Hiatt, is available to subscribe to and download on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. The archive contains nine years of episodes, including in-depth interviews with artists such as Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Questlove, Halsey, Missy Elliott, Dua Lipa, Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers, Yungblud, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, The National, Brian May, Roger Taylor, Ice Cube, Taylor Hawkins, Willow, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Killer Mike, Julian Casablancas, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Marr, Scott Weiland, Liam Gallagher, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Donald Fagen, Charlie Puth, Phil Collins, Justin Townes Earle, Stephen Malkmus, Sebastian Bach, Tom Petty, Eddie Van Halen, Kelly Clarkson, Pete Townshend, Bob Seger, The Zombies and Gary Clark Jr. There are also numerous cross-genre discussions, debates and explanatory formats with critics and reporters from Rolling Stone.