In a shocking turn of events, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke abruptly walked off stage during his solo concert in Melbourne on Wednesday night. The dramatic exit came after a heated exchange with a pro-Palestine protester in the audience, who confronted Yorke about the band’s controversial performances in Israel.
Tensions Boil Over at Melbourne Concert
The incident unfolded near the end of Yorke’s concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, part of his ongoing “Everything” tour. According to eyewitness accounts, a man in the crowd began shouting at Yorke, making references to the “Israeli genocide of Gaza” and the high death toll, particularly among children.
Visibly agitated, Yorke responded by challenging the protester to come on stage and voice his concerns directly. “Hop up on the f***ing stage and say what you wanna say. Don’t stand there like a coward,” Yorke reportedly said. The protester fired back, asking how many dead children it would take for Yorke to condemn the genocide in Gaza.
OK, you do it, see you later then.
Thom Yorke’s parting words before walking off stage
With that, Yorke declared “OK, you do it, see you later then,” and swiftly exited the stage, leaving the audience stunned. He returned several minutes later to perform Radiohead’s 1997 hit “Karma Police” as the final song of the night.
Radiohead’s Controversial Israel Ties
The incident in Melbourne is not the first time Radiohead has faced backlash over their performances in Israel. In 2017, the band defied calls from the pro-Palestine Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement to cancel their Tel Aviv show.
At the time, Yorke defended the decision, stating that playing in a country does not equate to endorsing its government. He drew parallels to performing in the United States, asserting that the band did not endorse the Trump administration any more than they did the Netanyahu government in Israel.
Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing the government. We’ve played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments, some more liberal than others. As we have in America.
Thom Yorke, addressing criticism of Radiohead’s Israel performances
Greenwood Faces Similar Criticism
Yorke is not the only Radiohead member to face scrutiny over ties to Israel. In May, guitarist Jonny Greenwood was accused of “artwashing genocide” by the BDS movement after performing in Tel Aviv with Israeli artist Dudu Tassa.
Greenwood, who is married to Israeli visual artist Sharona Katan, lamented the “silencing” of artistic efforts by Israeli Jews in a statement on social media. While acknowledging that no art is as important as stopping death and suffering, he argued that doing nothing seemed like a worse option.
Ongoing Debate Over Cultural Boycotts
The incident with Thom Yorke in Melbourne highlights the ongoing debate surrounding cultural boycotts and the role of artists in political activism. While some argue that boycotts are an effective means of pressuring Israel to change its policies towards Palestinians, others maintain that such actions unfairly target individuals and stifle dialogue.
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to generate passionate responses from all sides, it is clear that the controversy surrounding Radiohead’s performances in Israel is far from over. The band’s navigating of this complex issue serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by artists who find themselves at the intersection of art and politics.
While Yorke’s confrontation with the protester in Melbourne may have been a brief, heated moment, it encapsulates the long-standing tensions and deeply held convictions that continue to shape the discourse around this sensitive topic. As the music world watches on, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of art to provoke, challenge, and inspire, even in the face of intense political and social pressure.
