Radiohead surprise release ‘Hail to the Thief’ live album

Radiohead have released a surprise new live album featuring performances of songs from their sixth album, 2003’s Hail to the Thief. It follows Thom Yorke’s adaptation of the album for a new production of Hamlet, but it’s actually missing two tracks, “Backdrifts” and “A Punch Up at a Wedding.” The songs were recorded in London, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, and Dublin between 2003 and 2009, mixed by Ben Baptie, and mastered by Matt Colton. You can stream it digitally, and watch video of “There, There” recorded in Buenos Aires below; a one-off physical pressing is also available for pre-order.

“In the process of thinking of how to build arrangements for the Shakespeare Hamlet/Hail To The Thief theatre production, I asked to hear some archive live recordings of the songs,” Thom says. “I was shocked by the kind of energy behind the way we played. I barely recognised us, and it helped me find a way forward. We decided to get these live recordings mixed and released (it would have been insane to keep them for ourselves). It has all been a very cathartic process. We very much hope you enjoy them.”

There have been rumors that Radiohead’s live return is imminent circulating for the past several months. Thom, meanwhile, has also been in the news for his statement discussing Israel, Gaza, and “social media witch-hunts.”

RADIOHEAD – HAIL TO THE THIEF LIVE RECORDINGS 2003-2009
Side A
2 + 2 = 5
Sit Down. Stand Up
Sail to the Moon
Go to Sleep
Where I End and You Begin
We Suck Young Blood

Side B
The Gloaming
There, There
I Will
Myxomatosis
Scatterbrain
A Wolf at the Door