Radiohead announce 2027 tour with shows in Australia and Japan
Monday, 7 September 2026
Warm-up
- What was the last live concert you saw or watched online?
- Do you prefer small shows or big arenas? Why?
- How do you usually buy tickets for events?
Vocabulary
- arena
- A large indoor place used for sports or concerts.
- register
- To put your name on an official list to join or get something.
- portal
- A website that is the main entry point for a service.
- ballot
- A system that gives a fair chance by choosing people in a draw.
- unauthorised
- Not officially allowed or approved.
- deadline
- The last time or date when you can do something.
- perform
- To sing, play, or act in front of an audience.
- demand
- The desire from many people to buy something.
Reading
Radiohead are playing 16 shows in Australia and five in Japan in May 2027. It is their first tour of Australia in 15 years. The tour is starting at Perth's RAC Arena on 3 May. Then the band are performing at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena and Sydney's Afterpay Arena.
They are also returning to Japan for five concerts at the GMO Arena Saitama near Tokyo, their first Japan shows in 19 years. The band have not released a studio album since 2016's A Moon Shaped Pool, but demand for tickets is high.
For Australia, fans must register on an online portal run by Frontier Touring. The portal uses a ballot system to give fair access and to minimise unauthorised purchases. Tickets are capped at four per city. There is a deadline: registration closes on Thursday at 5pm AEST. Successful fans get emails from Friday with a chance to buy next week.
Comprehension
- How many shows are planned in Australia?
- When and where does the tour start?
- Which arenas are named in Melbourne and Sydney?
- How many Japan shows are planned, and where are they?
- What do Australian fans need to do to try for tickets?
Grammar focus
Present continuous
Use the present continuous (be + -ing) to talk about planned actions or arrangements in the near future, especially events and dates.
- Radiohead **are playing** 16 shows in Australia and five in Japan in May 2027.
- The tour **is starting** at Perth's RAC Arena on 3 May.
Grammar exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct present continuous form.
- The band (tour) ___ Australia and Japan in May.
- They (plan) ___ to meet fans after the shows next week.
- Fans (register) ___ on the portal this week before the deadline.
- Frontier Touring (run) ___ the online portal for registrations.
- Technicians (set) ___ up the stage at RAC Arena on 3 May.
Discussion
- Would you try for tickets to a show like this? Why or why not?
- Is a ballot system fair for popular tickets? Explain your view.
- What makes a great live performance for you?
- Should tickets be capped per person? What number is fair?
Vocabulary, reading, and exercises with instant feedback