Jay Weiner's Portfolio

On Monday 8th December 2025, Radiohead played the Uber Arena in Berlin, one of several dates on their first proper tour in many years. For a band that formed in the early 1990s and helped define alternative rock for decades, the return to large live shows felt significant, and i immediately knew i had to try and get my hands on some tickets. Radiohead have always occupied a hugely influential space, widely loved across generations, yet rarely visible. That rarity alone made this concert a once in a lifetime opportunity.

They’re a band that grew out of 90s alternative rock but never stayed there for long. Over the years they’ve moved through electronic, experimental, and minimalist sounds, picking up listeners from very different age groups along the way. For me, they’re my favourite band ever, but the audience clearly reflected their broad appeal – longtime fans standing next to people who discovered them much later. Given how infrequently they tour now, there was a shared sense that this wasn’t an everyday gig.

Getting tickets was predictably difficult. The 17,000 seats at the Uber Arena sold out within minutes, which added a layer of stress long before the show itself. I ended up with VIP tickets, and that part of the experience was genuinely positive. Entry was well organised, queues moved quickly, and there was none of the chaos that often comes with big arena shows (thanks to the VIP entrance – i don’t think the rest went as smoothly). It made the evening feel calmer and more enjoyable from the start.

The stage design was one of the most interesting aspects of the night. Instead of a traditional setup, the band played on a central stage, surrounded by the audience on all sides. This worked well in a venue of this size and made the show feel more immersive, even from further away. Around the stage, large screens displayed live, abstracted visuals of the set that shifted constantly throughout the show. The style was psychedelic but not overwhelming – very much in line with Radiohead’s visual identity – and it added atmosphere without pulling focus away from the music.

The setlist covered a wide range of their catalogue. Older songs mixed naturally with newer material, and the transitions between eras felt smooth rather than nostalgic. One notable omission was “Creep”, their most famous song. At this point, its absence is almost expected, and judging by the reaction of the crowd, few people were surprised or disappointed. The focus was clearly on the body of work they’ve built since then.

Set list:

1. Planet Telex
2. 2 + 2 = 5
3. Sit Down. Stand Up
4. Lucky
5. 15 Step
6. The Gloaming
7. Kid A
8. No Surprises
9. Videotape
10. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
11. Idioteque
12. Everything in Its Right Place
13. Bloom
14. The National Anthem
15. Daydreaming
16. All I Need
17. Let Down
18. Bodysnatchers

Encore:

1. Fake Plastic Trees
2. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
3. Paranoid Android
4. A Wolf at the Door
5. You and Whose Army?
6. Just
7. Karma Police

Sound quality was more mixed. The volume and bass were very high, and at times it came at the expense of detail in the music. Some of the subtle layers and dynamics were flattened by too much reverb, particularly in the heavier sections. This has been a common complaint online after several shows on the tour. That said, this is also a fairly typical issue for large arenas like the Uber Arena, and while noticeable, it didn’t derail the performance at all for me.

Thom Yorke remains a spectacular presence on stage. Rather than staying in one spot, he moved around the circular setup, making a clear effort to face different parts of the audience. It wasn’t forced, just attentive, and it suited the format well. Yorke also kept up a consistent high energy throughout the whole set, and it was really noticable how much he was clearly enjooying himself with his music. The rest of the band were focused, letting the music and visuals do most of the work, but also very much in the flow of it.

Overall, the Berlin concert was simply a very strong live show from a band that still sounds relevant and committed to what they do. No spectacle for spectacle’s sake, no forced nostalgia – just consistently impressive music, played with care. Even with a few technical flaws, it was an experience well worth the wait, and a memory i’ll always cherish.