Thom Yorke collided with a protester at a concert in Melbourne – here’s what happened

Thom Yorke, lead singer of Radiohead, was confronted by an anti-Israel critic during his solo concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday. The incident occurred during Yorke’s performance, causing an explosive outburst from one of the audience. In the footage published on YouTube, a man can be heard screaming (…)

Thom Yorke, lead singer of Radiohead, was confronted by an anti-Israel critic during his solo concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday. The incident occurred during Yorke’s performance, causing an explosive outburst from one of the audience.

In footage posted on YouTube, the man could be heard shouting at York, demanding that he “condemn the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.” The audience reacted disapprovingly, expressing dissatisfaction with the break.

Yorke, unfazed, responded directly to the critic, inviting him up to the stage. “Come here and say it,” he said, further urging, “Get on the damn stage and say what you want to say.” His challenge was met with applause from the crowd, which did not support the critic’s sentiments.

After the protester remained in the crowd, York remarked, “Okay, that’s it. See you later,” before putting away his guitar and leaving the stage. This caused discontent among the audience, who were stunned by the sudden end of his performance.

Security officers quickly intervened and escorted the protester from the protest site. Following the confrontation, Yorke returned to the stage, much to the delight of his fans, and resumed the concert playing Radiohead’s iconic 1997 track “Karma Police”.

Eyewitness Ellie Bruce shared her side of the incident, saying the heckler had “no support” from other concert-goers. She noted that the protester continued to interact with patrons outside the venue after he was removed.

The incident highlights the tensions that can arise during live performances as artists balance political expression with entertainment. Yorke’s confrontation with the heckler has attracted considerable attention, reflecting the complex intersection of music and political discourse.

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