Radiohead ‘devastated’ to postpone two gigs due to ‘extreme throat infection’

By Casey Cooper-Fiske, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter

Radiohead have said they are “devastated” to have to cancel two concerts due to an “extreme throat infection” picked up by lead singer Thom Yorke.

The Oxfordshire-formed indie band’s performances in Copenhagen on Monday and Tuesday have now been moved to December 15 and 16, as the 57-year-old’s illness is treated.

A statement from the band read: “We are devastated to have to postpone these two shows at such short notice but Thom’s throat infection has made it impossible for him to sing.

“Treatment is under way and we’re hopeful Thom will recover in time to play the final two Copenhagen shows on December 4 and 5, and all four Berlin shows, starting on December 8.

“We have been so blown away by the audience reactions on these dates and are loving being back onstage again – needless to say, we feel terrible that we are unable to play tonight and tomorrow.”

Tickets for the shows will be automatically transferred to the new corresponding date. However, those who are unable to attend can get a refund by contacting their point of purchase.

It comes after the band behind Creep set a new record highest attendance for a concert at The O2 in London, with 22,355 fans watching the final night of their run at the venue – part of their first tour in seven years, featuring 20 shows in five European cities.

Radiohead performed at The O2 on November 21, 22, 24, and 25, with each night breaking the record set by the previous night. The previous record was set by metal veterans Metallica in 2017.

Formed at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire in 1985, Radiohead are best known for the albums OK Computer, Pablo Honey and In Rainbows, as well as singles such as Just, Paranoid Android and No Surprises.

Made up of Yorke, guitarist Johnny Greenwood, bass player Colin Greenwood, guitarist Ed O’Brien and drummer Philip Selway, they have had seven UK top 10 singles and six UK number one albums.