Jonny Greenwood: Radiohead Boycott Calls & Art vs Politics Explained

Radiohead, one of the most influential bands of the last three decades, has faced sustained criticism and calls for a boycott stemming from its past performance in Israel. The controversy resurfaced last year, prompting responses from both frontman Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood regarding the intersection of art, politics, and public pressure.

The Boycott Movement and its Arguments

Pro-Palestinian activists, including groups like the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), highlighted Radiohead’s 2017 concert in Israel. These groups argued that the band’s performance constituted “complicit silence” during what an independent United Nations inquiry described as a genocide in Gaza – a claim Israel has denied. Activists believe a boycott is a necessary response.

Greenwood’s Perspective on Art and Politics

Jonny Greenwood addressed the boycott calls in a recent interview with The Times, stating that he believes “music and art should be above and beyond political concerns.” He further explained that his own collaborative work, including the 2023 album ‘Jarak Qaribak’ featuring musicians from Israel, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria, demonstrates his belief that artistic connections should transcend national boundaries. Greenwood posited that if artists were to limit collaborations based on political disagreements, opportunities for creative exchange would be severely restricted.

Did You Know? Radiohead’s first tour in seven years, which sparked the renewed boycott calls, consisted of 20 concerts across Madrid, Bologna, London, Berlin, and Copenhagen, with each city hosting four shows.

Personal Connections and Cancelled Performances

The situation is further complicated by Greenwood’s personal life. He is married to Israeli artist Sharona Katan, whose nephew was killed while serving in the Israeli Defence Forces. Greenwood performs with Israeli singer Dudu Tassa. Planned concerts with Tassa in the UK were cancelled last year following protests from the BDS movement, a decision the musicians described as “self-evidently a method of censorship.”

Despite the controversy, Greenwood and Tassa continued to perform, including a show in Israel in 2024 where they reportedly participated in protests calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza and new elections, while also repeatedly calling for peace. Tassa stated, “Notice musicians here, not politicians. Music has always worked wonders, may we know better days and may everyone return safely.”

Yorke’s Confrontations and Stance

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has also publicly engaged with the issue. In 2024, he clashed with a pro-Palestinian protestor during a solo show in Melbourne, Australia, pausing his performance of “Karma Police” and challenging the protestor to confront him directly on stage. Yorke also spoke out against “social media witch-hunts” and expressed shock that his silence was interpreted as complicity.

In October, Yorke stated that Radiohead “would absolutely not” return to Israel and “wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu regime.” He also expressed frustration with what he described as a “witch-hunt” over the band’s stance, stating it “wakes me up at night.” Greenwood echoed this sentiment, noting the tendency to label individuals as either “traitors” or “converts” in such debates.

Expert Insight: The responses from both Greenwood and Yorke highlight the complex position artists find themselves in when navigating politically charged conflicts. Their statements reflect a desire to separate artistic expression from political endorsement, while simultaneously acknowledging the intense scrutiny and pressure they face from activists and the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the calls to boycott Radiohead?

Calls to boycott Radiohead stemmed from the band’s performance in Israel in 2017, which pro-Palestinian activists viewed as a sign of complicity with the Israeli government during a period an independent UN inquiry described as a genocide in Gaza.

How did Jonny Greenwood respond to the boycott calls?

Jonny Greenwood stated that he believes music and art should exist above political concerns, arguing that restricting collaborations based on political disagreements would limit artistic exchange.

What was Thom Yorke’s reaction to a protest at one of his shows?

Thom Yorke confronted a pro-Palestinian protestor at a solo show in Melbourne, Australia, challenging them to express their views directly to him on stage and later spoke out against “social media witch-hunts.”

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these events will shape Radiohead’s future touring decisions and public image, and whether similar controversies will arise for other artists navigating politically sensitive situations.