During a recent solo concert in Melbourne, Radiohead and The Smile’s frontman, Thom Yorke, briefly left the stage after a confrontation with a pro-Palestine audience member. The attendee interrupted the performance, challenging Yorke about his perceived silence on the ongoing Gaza conflict. In response, Yorke invited the individual to express his views openly from the stage but ultimately chose to step away from the spotlight. Yorke later returned and resumed the show with a rendition of Radiohead’s “Karma Police.”
This incident is not the first time Yorke and his bandmates have faced criticism related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. In 2017, Radiohead performed in Tel Aviv, sparking backlash from supporters of the pro-Palestine Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Yorke defended their decision, clarifying that playing in a country is not an endorsement of its government.
Bandmate Jonny Greenwood, who has collaborated with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa, recently echoed similar sentiments. Greenwood emphasized the importance of dialogue and art in fostering understanding, even amid the divisive atmosphere. He expressed his belief that avoiding collaboration with Israeli artists simply due to their nationality does little to bridge the divide.