After a five-year hiatus, Radiohead may be ready to reunite, according to the band’s drummer, Philip Selway. The British rock band, which has been on a break since 2018, hasn’t released new music since their 2016 album A Moon Shaped Pool and hasn’t performed live since their final show of that year. However, Selway’s recent comments suggest that the group is reaching a point where they are eager to reconnect and explore new creative directions.
During a live stream with the Crow Hill Company, Selway shared an optimistic outlook on the band’s future. “We’ve actually had a little break for a minute; the last show that we did was back in 2018, but we’re coming back ’round to that point now,” he said. “There is just something particular to that relationship – that creative relationship and personal relationship – actually, you can’t get anywhere else. We’re all coming back around to that point now of thinking, ‘Right, we’ve had a break – this is it. This feels like something to dive back into and really explore and see what other directions it can take us in.’” These words suggest that Radiohead is in the early stages of a potential reunion, with the band contemplating their next collective steps.
For fans, this news is exciting and potentially marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the most influential bands of the past few decades. Radiohead’s break has been a topic of speculation since the band’s last live performance, and many fans have been eagerly waiting for new music. The thought of the band reconnecting is a hopeful sign that fresh material and live performances could be on the horizon.
During the band’s hiatus, members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood explored side projects, notably forming the band The Smile with Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner. The trio released their debut album, A Light for Attracting Attention, in 2022 and are set to release a second album, Wall of Eyes, in 2024. However, the members of Radiohead have always made it clear that their break was meant to allow time for these projects while leaving room for a future reunion.
Selway also revealed the motivation behind the band’s hiatus, explaining that the members wanted to explore individual pursuits, but that a reunion has always been in the cards. “We’re always talking about stuff. But in terms of an actual kind of collective project, beyond the ‘Kid A’ and ‘Amnesiac’ stuff that we’ve been doing, it’s kind of further down the line for us when that will happen,” he said. This suggests that while the band is in no rush to return, they are actively considering their future together.
For Radiohead’s devoted fanbase, the prospect of a reunion after such a long break is thrilling. The band’s music has been groundbreaking, influencing not only rock but a variety of genres, and their reunion promises to bring new ideas to the table. Whether it results in a new album, tour, or both, the anticipation is palpable. The band’s exploration of new directions, both individually and as a collective, hints at exciting possibilities ahead, and fans can only hope that the reunion marks the beginning of another transformative era for Radiohead.
