Radiohead singer Thom Yorke dared a caller who interrupted his show to protest the war in Gaza to “go up on stage and say that” before storming off, dramatic video shows.
The British rock star, 56, took to the stage in Melbourne on Wednesday night for a solo performance, but had a tense exchange with a concert-goer during the encore.
Thom, who is currently touring Australia, began playing Radiohead’s hit song Karma Police when an audience member began shouting at him on stage, and disgruntled members of the crowd were heard booing him.
The protester was heard shouting in support of Gaza amid the war with Israel and reportedly criticized Thom for his silence on the issue.
Thom responded by accusing him of being a “coward” for booing him and urged him on stage, before leaving.
In an expletive-laden speech, he said, “Come and say that.” Right here. Get on the fucking stage and say what you want to say. But don’t stand there like a coward, come here and say it. Come on.
The rock star, 56, took to the stage in Melbourne on Wednesday night for a solo performance, but had a tense exchange with a concert-goer during the encore.
Audience members filmed the protester shouting during the encore of the Radiohead star’s show.
A member of the crowd can be seen shouting at other concertgoers in what appears to be a protest over the war in Gaza.
Thom Yorke is seen taking off his guitar and walking off stage mid-performance as the man continues to scream.
The Radiohead singer confronted the protester, daring him to come on stage and calling him a “coward.”
Thom Yorke stormed off stage during his show in Melbourne on Wednesday night (pictured on stage) after a fierce confrontation with a pro-Palestinian protester.
‘Do you want to piss on everyone’s night? Come on. Okay, you do it. Then we’ll see you later,” he added, before taking off his guitar and leaving the stage.
The incident at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl caused a huge outcry from the audience and Thom eventually returned to the stage to continue playing his encore song to end his show.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Thom’s representatives for comment.
Earlier this year, Radiohead faced a huge backlash from Palestinian activists when guitarist Jonny Greenwood performed in Tel Aviv.
He shared the stage with Israeli Rock star Dudu Tassa at the Barby Club on May 26, but faced criticism due to the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza.
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), which supports Gaza against Israel’s government, said the musician had participated in “shameful artwashing”, a term used to suggest that controversial actions can be downplayed by using artists.
BDS called on their fans to disrupt Radiohead’s planned tour in Europe, prompting guitarist Jonny to respond to the allegations.
The BDS statement read: “Palestinians unequivocally condemn Jonny Greenwood’s shameful whitewashing of Israel’s genocide.”
However, Jonny argued that the performance included Arabic love songs from his 2023 album and was designed to promote harmony between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Radiohead singer, 56, took to the stage at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl for a solo performance (pictured) but had a tense exchange with a concert-goer during the encore.
He said: ‘I think an artistic project that combines Arab and Jewish musicians is worthwhile.
‘The silencing of Israeli filmmakers, musicians and dancers when their work travels abroad… seems unprogressive to me.
“Especially because these people are invariably the most progressive members of any society.”
It is not the first time Radiohead has been criticized by activists for performing in Israel, with frontman Thom responding amid an avalanche of criticism in 2017.
At the time, the English rock band went ahead with a performance in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park despite demands for them to boycott Israel.
There were also calls to cancel the concert in an open letter issued by Artists For Palestine UK, which was signed by artists including Roger Waters and Thurston Moore.
Amid fan backlash, Thom defended the band’s stance and insisted that playing in the country did not mean they supported their government.
According to online reports, the concertgoer was a pro-Palestine protester who had been shouting statements in support of Gaza amid the ongoing war with Israel.
Radiohead have previously been criticized by activists for performing in Israel, and guitarist Jonny Greenwood (right, with Thom) responded to the backlash in May this year.
He said on Twitter: “Playing for a country is not the same as supporting its government.” We have played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments, some more liberal than others.
‘Like we have done in the United States. We don’t support Netanyahu any more than we support Trump, but we still play in America.
“Music, art and academia are about crossing borders, not building them, about open and not closed minds, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression.”
Criticism from fanatics has only increased following Israel’s response to the October 7 Hamas attack and the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.