Ed O’Brien has insisted Radiohead simply can’t take on long, sprawling tours anymore – because the emotional weight of their live shows is too overwhelming.
The 58‑year‑old guitarist said that the Creep group’s connection with audiences – a large proportion of which are aged 16 to 24, per streaming figures – has become so intense that extended touring is off the table.
Although, he said his previous comment that they will limit themselves to “20 shows” in a single year should be taken with a “pinch of salt”.
He told the Los Angeles Times: “I don’t think we’ll do any more than 20 shows.
“Because you can’t do any more – these songs, they’re too powerful. The shows last year were really emotional. By the end of it, you were drained.”
He explained that the band gives everything they have onstage, and pushing beyond that would mean compromising the experience.
He said: “There’s an outpouring of emotion from them and from us, so in order to do more shows, you’d have to somehow limit the amount you gave to each performance. And I think we’re unwilling to do that.”
Ed previously told Rolling Stone that Radiohead, who plan to hit the road again in 2027, have already mapped out a gentler rhythm for the future.
He said: “What we’re going to do is, every year we’re going to do a different continent, and we’re going to do 20 shows each year. No more, no less. We want to give absolutely everything each night. We do not ever want it to be like we’re going through the motions or we’re having to run on empty. We’ve got to be able to do it. And you know what? We’re not spring chickens anymore.”
Radiohead returned to the UK and Europe in 2025, for what marked their first shows together since 2018. The 20-date stop included a four-night residency at London’s The O2.
Meanwhile, fans hoping for Radiohead to release a follow-up to 2016 album A Moon Shaped Pool may have a long wait because the rockers haven’t “even talked about” recording another record.
Ed – who embarks on a solo tour in October – told NME: “Where did you get this idea that there’s another Radiohead record? I know it’s so funny and it comes from a good place.
“People want to hear another Radiohead record. I can’t even imagine it because we’ve not even talked about another record.
“I think that’s because the last record was so f****** awful to make! The tale of that record is so f****** dark. It casts a long shadow. Maybe ask me in six years time!”