Radiohead have broken the O2 Arena attendance record (previously set by Metallica) during a four-night charity run.
Radiohead have set a new benchmark at London’s O2 Arena after performing four shows that steadily grew in size each night, while also benefitting multiple charities. The band played the venue on November 21, 22, 24 and 25, drawing more than 22,000 fans per show. By the final night, attendance hit 22,355, enough to surpass the record previously held by Metallica since 2017.
Christian D’Acuna, Senior Programming Director of the O2, praised the run and confirmed the new milestone. “These past four record-breaking nights will go down in the venue’s history, with Radiohead breaking the attendance records each night,” he said in a statement shared via NME.
“We knew how special these exclusive shows would be and we’re so grateful to the band for bringing them to the O2. It’s been a true honor to host them, and each night they played different set lists spanning their incredible back catalogue. These shows will be remembered for years to come.”
Each night featured a unique setlist with Radiohead taking a “busking approach” with any order of songs from a refined list of 70 tracks from the band’s massive catalogue. The final performance included deep cuts, long-time staples and fan favourites.
The purpose behind Radiohead’s O2 run wasn’t just to deliver rare performances, though. All four London dates raised money for the LIVE Trust, a UK group that supports grassroots independent venues, and for Samaritans, a long-running organisation focused on mental health support and suicide prevention.
“I’ve been a proud Ambassador for the wonderful Samaritans for many years, a cause close to my heart,” drummer Philip Selway said on social media ahead of the shows. “To mark International Men’s Day, they revealed how male stereotypes are holding men back from being themselves and showing that they are struggling.”
“Men are more than three times more likely to die by suicide and the charity is determined to change this. Their listening volunteers will be at the O2 each night collecting donations for their life saving work, so please do give if you can.”
Radiohead have also spent their recent European dates directing funds toward Doctors Without Borders, continuing a streak of touring activity tied closely to humanitarian causes.
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