Radiohead fans have been left infuriated by the rollout of confirmation codes for the band’s upcoming tour.
The Thom Yorke-fronted group will perform their first shows since 2018 between November and December. Radiohead will play four nights in London at The O2 Arena, but chances of getting tickets for some fans are borderline impossible. Fans have since posted to the r/Radiohead subreddit and shared their frustrations with missing out on tickets. Fans were told to register for a text code, which was used to verify an email address. Those who successfully completed the registration process will have received an email from Radiohead’s W.A.S.T.E. team. The email reads: “Your details are now safely registered for a chance to purchase a ticket for Radiohead Europe 2025.”
Those who have not yet received the email are now worried they have missed their chance to buy tickets to the upcoming shows. Fans were split on this system, with some praising Radiohead for doing everything they can to stop scalpers and ticket resales.
One fan wrote: “It stops the systems crashing, makes ticket sales geographically fairer, reduces travel, and hopefully reduces scalping/touting. Honestly I don’t mind it. The only downside for me is that maybe they could’ve given us more than two months notice for the shows!”
Another added: “At least they’re limiting scalpers from getting hold of them, so it’s the lesser evil.” But others were unconvinced by the restrictions in place, saying fans without speedy internet connections are being limited.
One person wrote: “The only thing that effectively keeps the scalpers away would be a non-transferability of tickets. Though it also means friend groups could only enter at the same time because no one can send the ticket to anyone. As far as I recall, that’s what they did last time as well.”
Another added: “Very enjoyable, but I’m also really impressed with the lengths that the Waste staff are going — there are going to be SO many posts – ‘I finally got to see them’ (I’m happy for you, but I ain’t readin’ all that) I’m a grizzled vet and have followed them around, but there’s two generations that have made them more popular than they ever were, and you’re all getting your first chance at it.
“Waste has always tried to put tickets in our hands, but this is going above and beyond. Imagine what these tickets would be on Ticketmaster? Most folks would just not be able to compete. I think there are going to be a lot of folks grateful for running this labyrinth.”
A third shared: “I live in Dubai and am planning to go with my London-based friend. She registered and got the code! However, I did not because apparently, there’s an issue with people trying to purchase tickets from my country. Will I still be able to go if my friend purchases two tickets for us? Or would she have had to have registered twice?”
The registration process, which has now closed, also featured several limitations on ticket purchasing. The three rules to “make it fair” from Radiohead’s website can be found below.
- You will need to register your details here before the tickets go on sale, to reduce competition from bots and ticket touts
- You will be able to purchase a maximum of 4 tickets for one of the dates only, to allow as many people as possible to attend
- We will apportion the greater share of tickets to those living nearer each city as shown here, and there will be allocations for those who wish to travel inside Europe and for those outside Europe. Our aim is to distribute tickets according to demand in a fair and geographically convenient way
