Radiohead Setlist Evolution: 39 Years Analyzed

Since their first performance in 1986, Radiohead has played 1,157 documented shows across 36 countries and 356 cities. Their setlists reveal a band constantly in dialogue with their own catalog — some songs appear in nearly half of all shows, while others have been performed fewer than ten times. Here's what the data tells us.

These are the songs Radiohead has performed most frequently across their entire touring history. The Bends era dominates the top 20, showing how foundational that album remains to their live shows even 30+ years later. Notably, "Creep" ranks 8th despite being famously dropped from setlists for years.

First impressions matter. These are the songs Radiohead has chosen to open their concerts with most frequently. The preference for uptempo, propulsive songs reveals a band that understands the importance of grabbing an audience immediately.

Every great show needs a powerful finale. These are the songs Radiohead uses to end their performances — a list dominated by fan favorites chosen for their emotional catharsis.

1980s (1986–1989)

28 documented shows — early Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood meeting as teenagers at Abingdon School. Setlists dominated by covers and early originals that would later be shelved. The seeds of Pablo Honey were being planted.

1990s (1990–1999)

695 shows — accounting for 60% of all documented Radiohead performances. The decade that made them: from the Creep-driven breakthrough, through the transformative OK Computer world tour, to the first exploratory sessions that would become Kid A. Relentless touring following commercial success.

2000s (2000–2009)

285 shows — a more selective approach to touring as the band's status became unassailable. The Kid A/Amnesiac period featured deliberately smaller venues and more experimental setlists. Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows tours brought larger crowds but no less musical ambition.

2010s (2010–2019)

129 shows — even more selective, touring primarily behind The King of Limbs (2011) and A Moon Shaped Pool (2016). Setlists became more unpredictable, with deep cuts and rarities rewarding dedicated fans.

2020s (2020–2025)

20 shows — severely limited by the pandemic. The brief 2022 tour behind A Moon Shaped Pool was their first major outing in years, and included some of the most ambitious stage production of their career.

Radiohead's touring history reveals a band that has consistently prioritized the UK and US markets — together accounting for nearly 60% of all shows. Their top cities tell the story of which markets embraced them earliest and most enthusiastically:

#1 London, UK — 84 shows  |  #2 Paris, France — 40 shows  |  #3 New York, USA — 38 shows  |  #4 Tokyo, Japan — 32 shows  |  #5 Los Angeles, USA — 28 shows  |  #6 Chicago, USA — 22 shows  |  #7 Berlin, Germany — 20 shows  |  #8 Toronto, Canada — 19 shows

For dedicated fans lucky enough to witness these songs live, they represent extraordinary moments. Songs like "How Can You Be Sure?," "Stupid Car," "Coke Babies," and the rarely-performed "Lull" appear fewer than 10 times in the documented record. These rarities transform an already-excellent show into something genuinely historic.