Thom Yorke reflects on confidence slump after Radiohead's 2025 reunion shows
Thom Yorke told Harry Styles in a Rolling Stone conversation that Radiohead's 2025 reunion tour left him with a severe loss of self-confidence. He said the recovery took months and only began when he returned to work on his solo album two months later. Yorke also described feeling conflicted about receiving honors such as the Ivor Novello Academy Fellowship and about his relationship with his past work.
Radiohead announced their return in September 2025, their first live appearances in more than seven years. That November and December, they played 20 arena shows in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen and Berlin. Yorke discussed the aftermath with Harry Styles in Rolling Stone.
He received the Ivor Novello Academy Fellowship in 2026, presented by Styles, and has been working with producer Sam Petts-Davies on a solo album he called notably different for him. On the Madrid opening night, the band walked through the audience and nearly broke down before performing.
This story may resonate with music fans and performers who see reunion tours as joyful events, reminding them that such projects can carry hidden emotional costs. It could encourage more open discussion of post-tour burnout, legacy pressure and self-doubt among artists. For Radiohead’s audience, Yorke’s comments may temper expectations about further reunions or new band material, while highlighting how creative renewal can help recovery. Industry figures might also consider how awards and nostalgia-driven events affect artists’ wellbeing.