Radiohead Beats Metallica to Set New Attendance Record at London’s O2

The O2 arena in London has crowned a new record-holder, with Radiohead's four-date UK exclusive residency in late November surpassing the venue's previous attendance milestone, which had been held by Metallica since 2017. Every sold-out show—on November 21, 22, 24, and 25—attracted more than 22,200 fans, culminating in a new benchmark of 22,355 attendees during the final performance.

Christian D’Acuna, Senior Programming Director of The O2, praised the landmark accomplishment, observing that the band exceeded its own attendance numbers with each successive concert. He highlighted the distinctive nature of the residency, noting that Radiohead performed a unique set list every night, pulling from their extensive and influential body of work. The O2—a premier global entertainment venue capable of hosting up to 20,000 visitors depending on the event setup—has now turned a new page in its storied history of presenting iconic performers.

This series of concerts represents Radiohead’s first major live undertaking in nearly ten years. The band—fronted by Thom Yorke and featuring Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Philip Selway, and Ed O’Brien—revealed the tour last year, scheduling four-night engagements not just in London but also in Madrid, Bologna, Copenhagen, and Berlin. This strategy enables the group to re-engage with European audiences through an ambitious presentation spanning their entire career.

Attendees were given carefully assembled set lists that demonstrated the group’s artistic versatility. The opening London concert included fan favorites such as "Lucky," "Bloom," and "Idioteque," while the evening concluded with a seven-song encore featuring "Fake Plastic Trees," "Let Down," and "Paranoid Android." This deliberate arrangement reflects the band’s transformation from alternative rock pioneers into experimental icons—a creative evolution chronicled across nine studio albums that have profoundly influenced modern alternative music.

Live event specialists point out that multi-night residencies are increasingly popular among elite artists, as they allow for stronger audience engagement and simplified production planning. Dr. Elena Marsh, a live entertainment analyst, noted, "Radiohead’s record-breaking engagement signals a post-pandemic trend toward more immersive, location-focused concert formats—an approach that benefits performers and concertgoers alike." This landmark series not only confirms Radiohead’s lasting popularity but also redefines the possibilities for major live events in the current era.