Radiohead Frontman Thom Yorke Cites Grief and Burnout for Band's 7-Year Hiatus

In a recent interview, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has revealed the personal and emotional factors that contributed to the band's 7-year hiatus from live performances. Yorke explained that the final days of Radiohead's 2018 tour felt like the "wheels came off a bit," prompting the group to halt their touring schedule before they "walked off this cliff."

Yorke also opened up about the impact of personal grief, following the death of his first wife, Dr. Rachel Owen, in late 2016. "I needed to stop anyway, because I hadn't really given myself time to grieve," he said, adding that his grief was "coming out in ways that made me think, I need to take this away." While music had previously been a source of solace, Yorke found that it had become a "painful reminder" of his trauma.

Guitarist Ed O'Brien also spoke candidly about the toll the band's last tour took, admitting that by the end of it, "I was effectively over Radiohead." However, the time away eventually led to a renewed appreciation for the band and their "stellar songs." Radiohead is now preparing to return to the stage with a limited run of 20 shows across five European cities, beginning in November 2025.