Radiohead Breaks Metallica’s Attendance Record at London’s O2 Arena
**Radiohead Makes History at London’s O2 Arena with Record-Breaking Shows**
In a monumental return to the stage, Radiohead has made headlines by breaking attendance records at London’s O2 Arena during their recent four-night residency. The iconic British band, known for their innovative sound and profound influence on modern music, played to packed houses on November 21, 22, 24, and 25, with each concert attracting over 22,200 fans. The final night saw an impressive turnout of 22,355 attendees, surpassing the previous record held by Metallica since 2017. Christian D’Acuna, the O2’s senior programming director, expressed gratitude for the band’s performances, stating, “These past four record-breaking nights will go down in the venue’s history,” highlighting the significance of Radiohead’s return after a seven-year hiatus.
This series of concerts marked Radiohead’s first live performances since the summer of 2018, when they last played in Philadelphia. Their return to the stage began with a sold-out show in Madrid on November 4, kicking off a 20-date European tour that includes stops in major cities like Bologna, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Each night at the O2, Radiohead delivered unique set lists that spanned their extensive back catalog, showcasing their evolution and versatility as artists. Drummer Philip Selway reflected on the experience, noting how the band came together to rehearse last year “just for the hell of it” and rediscovered their musical identity after years apart. This reunion not only delighted long-time fans but also reaffirmed Radiohead’s status as one of the most influential bands of their generation, ensuring that their legacy continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
Radiohead’s hiatus followed an extensive world tour promoting their critically acclaimed 2016 album, *A Moon Shaped Pool*, which solidified their place in music history with six No. 1 albums in the U.K. and a top-three position on the Billboard 200. The recent shows at the O2 Arena serve as a testament to their enduring appeal and artistry, and they leave fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this legendary band as they continue their European tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA_mhcGrGek
Radiohead
is making history at London’s O2 Arena.
Following four sold-out shows earlier this month, the iconic U.K. band broke the venue’s attendance record, previously held by
Metallica
in 2017.
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The Oxford-formed band
played the O2 on Nov. 21
, 22, 24 and 25, with each show drawing more than 22,200 concert-goers, and the final show reaching 22,355 attendees, the venue
announce
d
on X
.
“These past four record-breaking nights will go down in the venue’s history, with Radiohead breaking the attendance records each night,” Christian D’Acuna, the O2’s senior programming director, said in a statement.
“We knew how special these exclusive shows would be and we’re so grateful to the band for bringing them to the O2. It’s been a true honor to host them, and each night they played different set lists spanning their incredible back catalogue. These shows will be remembered for years to come.”
After a seven-year absence from touring, Radiohead
returned to the stage
on Nov. 4 at Madrid’s Movistar Arena to launch a sold-out 20-date European tour. The trek includes stops across the U.K. and Europe, with shows in Madrid, Bologna, Copenhagen, Berlin, and the four-night residency in London.
This marks Radiohead’s first live performances together since summer 2018, when they played at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center in August of that year.
Reflecting on the recent reunion, drummer Philip Selway said in a press statement, “Last year, we got together to rehearse, just for the hell of it. After a seven-year pause, it felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect with a musical identity that has become lodged deep inside all five of us.”
Radiohead went on hiatus after completing an extensive world tour supporting their 2016 album,
A Moon Shaped Pool
. The album became their sixth No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart, reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and earned the group a Coachella headlining slot in 2017.
