Radiohead Surpasses this Hard Rock Band's Record with Recent Reunion Shows

Music fans eagerly anticipating next years Coachella festival are especially excited about Radioheads unique planned installation. Meanwhile, the legendary British group reunited this month for four consecutive sold-out performances at Londons O2 Arena.

The concerts were so popular that Radiohead has now set a new attendance record at the venue, according to Billboard. The previous record was held by Metallica since 2017. Radioheads shows took place on November 21, 22, 24, and 25, each attracting over 22,200 attendees, with the final night reaching 22,355, the arena shared on X this week.

These four nights will go down in the venues history, with Radiohead breaking the attendance record every evening, stated Christian DAcuna, senior programming director at The O2, via Billboard. We understood how exceptional these exclusive concerts would be, and were deeply grateful to the band for bringing them here. Its been a true honor to host them, and they performed varying setlists showcasing their remarkable catalogue. These shows will be remembered for years.

Radiohead began their European tour on November 4 at Madrids Movistar Arena. The tour covers multiple U.K. and European cities, including Bologna, Copenhagen, and Berlin.

During one London performance, the Grammy-winning band surprised fans by performing Like Spinning Plates live for the first time, sparking excitement across social media. Originally released in 2001, the track appears as the penultimate song on their album Amnesiac and is a reversed version of an early recording of their 2003 song I Will.

Earlier in the month, at the Unipol Arena in Bologna, Radiohead also performed Kid A and Talk Show Host for the first time since 2018.

This article was initially published by Parade on November 30, 2025.

Author's Commentary: Radiohead’s Record-Breaking London Run

Radiohead’s recent series of concerts at London’s O2 Arena not only delighted fans but also set a new benchmark for live performance attendance at the venue. With four consecutive sold-out shows, each surpassing 22,200 attendees, the band surpassed Metallica’s previous record from 2017, highlighting their enduring appeal and the high demand for exclusive live experiences.

The European tour demonstrates Radiohead’s strategic blend of nostalgia and novelty. Their decision to perform rarely played tracks like “Like Spinning Plates” and returning favorites from “Kid A” and “Talk Show Host” illustrates a careful curation that excites long-time fans while keeping the setlists fresh and unpredictable.

From a broader perspective, this record-breaking run underscores the resurgence of major live events as cultural milestones. For the O2 Arena, hosting Radiohead has reinforced the venue’s reputation as a site for historic music moments. For the band, these performances reaffirm their continued relevance in the contemporary music scene and set high expectations for their upcoming Coachella installation.

Sources:

• Radiohead Breaks This Hard Rock Band's Record With Recent Reunion Shows