Radiohead on the road

by Kev Geoghegan
Music reporter, Radio 1

Radiohead have been talking to Newsbeat about their forthcoming summer tour. Despite singer Thom Yorke's fear of planes, they can't wait to hit the road.

The band kick off 19 European dates in Dublin on 6 June. They've also announced plans to play 22 cities in north America and Canada.

Jonny Greenwood compares touring with backpacking

Guitarist Jonny Greenwood has been looking forward to their first full tour in five years.

He said: "I've thought of it solidly since the last tour, I'm addicted to it and I can't wait.

"It's like backpacking in enormous luxury, you get to be in a different city every day but without any of the effort of travelling. It's an easy way to see the world and you get to play a show in the evening. It's a great life.

"We enjoy it for three months and then we get tired and ill and then it gets stressful. But for those first three months, it's great."

Fear of flying

While Jonny's upbeat about the mammoth number of dates approaching, singer Thom Yorke admits to being nervous ahead of the tour, specifically their travel plans:

"It's like backpacking in enormous luxury, you get to be in a different city every day but without any of the effort of travelling." Jonny Greenwood

He said: "I try not to think about it. It's in case you mess up, in case you get ill, lots of things."

"Getting on a plane I hate with a passion, I try not to panic all the way through. It gets worse but you just kiss the ground when you get there and carry on."

Thom Yorke likes to keep his feet on the ground

Glastonbury plans

To date, Radiohead aren't confirmed for any UK summer festivals, despite rumours that they're being lined up to headline Reading and Leeds. Jonny says they might take in Glastonbury but only as fans.

He said: "We're talking about probably going, whether we'll play or do anything musical, I've no idea.

"Thom was there last year and really enjoyed seeing bands like Madness playing in the casino, so maybe we'll do that this year.

"It’s a different thing, you're providing a soundtrack for people having fun at a festival. It's not a Radiohead concert and for that reason it can be great, it can be the best kind of show."