The 5 Biggest Thom Yorke Updates Of 2025: Radiohead’s Return, New Music, And A Major Art Retrospective

The year 2025 has proven to be an unexpectedly explosive period for Thomas Edward Yorke, the enigmatic frontman of Radiohead and a towering figure in modern music. After years of focusing intensely on side projects like The Smile and solo work, the famously restless artist is suddenly at the center of multiple, high-profile cultural events that are reshaping his legacy and—most significantly—ending Radiohead's longest live hiatus. This deep dive into Yorke’s current activities, as of this December 2025, reveals a complex artist navigating a whirlwind of political statements, new artistic collaborations, and a long-awaited return to the world’s biggest stages.

From a new collaborative album with a long-time friend to a massive retrospective on his visual art, Yorke is demonstrating that his creative energy is not confined to the studio. The anticipation surrounding his movements has never been higher, with fans globally dissecting every statement and tour announcement for clues about the future of one of the most influential bands of all time.

Thomas Edward Yorke: A Brief Biography and Profile

Thomas Edward Yorke, known simply as Thom Yorke, is one of the most influential and recognized figures in alternative rock. His career has been defined by a restless creative spirit, a distinctive, emotive vocal style, and a willingness to push the boundaries of popular music.

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• Full Name: Thomas Edward Yorke
• Born: 7 October 1968
• Birthplace: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England, UK
• Primary Instrument: Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards
• Notable Bands: Radiohead (1985–Present), The Smile (2021–Present)
• Father's Career: Nuclear Physicist
• Spouse: Dajana Roncione (m. 2020)
• Children: Two children from his previous relationship with Rachel Owen (d. 2016)
• Debut Solo Album: The Eraser (2006)
• Activism: Prominent campaigner for environmental, anti-war, and trade justice causes.

Yorke formed Radiohead with his schoolmates in Oxfordshire, and the band rose to global fame with the 1993 hit "Creep." His distinctive voice and lyrical themes—often centered on political discontent, technology, and environmental anxiety—have cemented his status as a cultural icon. His recent work has increasingly blurred the lines between music, visual art, and political commentary.

The Shocking Return: Radiohead’s First Concerts Since 2018

The biggest news for millions of fans came with the unexpected announcement of Radiohead's return to the live stage in late 2025. The band had been on a long hiatus, with members focusing on individual projects, leading many to speculate about the group's future.

A Short European Tour Confirmed

Radiohead's first confirmed concerts since 2018 are scheduled for November and December 2025. The short run of European dates includes highly anticipated stops in major cities, marking a significant moment for the band and its devoted following. The confirmed venues comprise multi-night residencies in locations such as Madrid's Movistar Arena, Bologna's Unipol Arena in Italy, London's O2 Arena, and Copenhagen's Royal Arena.

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The news has sparked intense speculation about the motivation behind the return. While Yorke has previously stated that a full studio reunion was "not on the cards" anytime soon, the live dates suggest a renewed collaborative spirit among the members. Rumors are circulating that the band may debut one or two new songs during the 2025 performances, potentially as a precursor to a more focused studio effort in 2026.

The format of the shows is also generating buzz, with reports that the band plans to perform "in the round" and vary their setlists significantly, ensuring a unique experience for each audience.

New Collaborative Albums and Solo Work in 2025

Even as the Radiohead machine whirs back to life, Thom Yorke has continued his prolific solo and collaborative output, demonstrating his commitment to exploring electronic and experimental soundscapes outside of the band's rock framework. His recent activity confirms his deep dive into electronic music production and abstract composition.

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The 'Tall Tales' Album with Mark Pritchard

One of the most exciting musical updates is the upcoming release of a new album, *Tall Tales*, a collaboration between Yorke and his longtime friend and electronic music producer Mark Pritchard. The partnership has already yielded the new single "Back In The Game," released in February 2025, which showcases a blend of Yorke's signature melancholic vocals with Pritchard's intricate, atmospheric electronic textures. This project highlights Yorke’s continuous evolution as an artist, moving further into the realm of abstract electronica.

A New Solo Track: "Dialing In"

In May 2025, Yorke surprised fans with the release of the new solo song "Dialing In." This track further cements his dedication to his personal artistic vision, often contrasting sharply with the rock-band dynamics of Radiohead. Meanwhile, his work with The Smile—the trio featuring Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner—remains a key creative outlet, with the band having released three albums since their formation in 2021.

Art, Activism, and the Political Firestorm

Thom Yorke's influence extends far beyond music, encompassing significant work in the visual arts and a vocal, often controversial, presence in global politics and environmental activism. His recent statements have ignited fierce debate, while a major exhibition is finally celebrating his long-standing visual collaborations.

'This Is What You Get': The Art Exhibition

From August 2025 to January 2026, a major retrospective titled "This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke" is running at the Ashmolean Museum. This exhibition is the first in a public gallery to showcase the visual art created by Yorke and his long-term collaborator, Stanley Donwood. Donwood and Yorke (who often uses the pseudonym Tchock) have been responsible for the iconic, often unsettling artwork that has defined Radiohead's aesthetic since the mid-1990s, including the covers for albums like *OK Computer*, *Kid A*, and *In Rainbows*.

The exhibition offers a rare look at the creative process behind the band's visual identity, exploring themes of dystopia, climate anxiety, and political unrest that are central to both their music and art.

The Political Stance on Israel and Gaza

Yorke remains a staunch activist, particularly on environmental issues, frequently supporting organizations like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. However, his most recent high-profile statements have centered on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a major interview, Yorke declared that he would "absolutely not" perform in Israel again while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in power.

This statement is a significant reversal from 2017, when Radiohead played a controversial show in Tel Aviv. Yorke’s evolving political views are further complicated by his ongoing musical projects, including a new record he is working on with Israeli and Middle Eastern musicians—a project he admitted he felt "frightened to admit" due to the current political climate. This complexity underscores his commitment to both political principle and cross-cultural artistic collaboration.

What the Future Holds for Yorke and Radiohead

The current confluence of activity—the Radiohead tour, the *Tall Tales* album, the "Dialing In" single, and the Ashmolean exhibition—paints a picture of an artist operating at peak creative capacity. While the Radiohead concerts are a major event, Yorke’s personal focus appears to be on his solo and collaborative electronic work, and his role as a public intellectual addressing climate change and global political issues.

The 2025 tour dates are a gift to fans who have waited years for a live performance, but whether they herald a full-scale Radiohead comeback or merely a brief, celebratory interlude remains the central question. For now, Thom Yorke continues to defy expectations, using his platform to challenge, create, and explore the boundaries of music and art.