TV On The Radio starts 2025 tour at Just Like Heaven Festival after 5-year hiatus
Indie rock band TV On The Radio returned to the stage in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, an experience that left singer Tunde Adebimpe feeling simultaneously excited and apprehensive. Uncertain about how their absence had affected their fans, Adebimpe described the challenge of reviving a band in the ever-evolving landscape of the internet.
“From the inside, especially if you haven’t done it for a while, it’s just hard to tell,” Adebimpe shared. “Like, when we stopped for a second in 2019, was that the end of it? Was that the wrong thing to do?”
The band debuted their comeback at various shows in November and December of 2024, including several performances in Los Angeles, all of which sold out quickly. The positive reception prompted TV On The Radio to continue with their live performances, with a scheduled set at the Just Like Heaven festival in Pasadena on May 10, 2025, followed by an extensive tour across North America and Europe throughout the spring and summer.
Reflecting on the band’s return to the stage, Adebimpe remarked on the ecstatic energy of the shows and the sense of celebration that surrounded them. He expressed his excitement for the upcoming tour, emphasizing the thrill of being back and actively performing once more.
Just Like Heaven festival, where TV On The Radio is set to perform, showcases an array of indie rock talent from the late ’90s and ’00s, with headliners like Vampire Weekend and a Rilo Kiley reunion. Adebimpe highlighted the festival’s nostalgic vibe, likening it to browsing a high school yearbook and recognizing familiar faces and connections from the past.
In addition to Adebimpe, TV On The Radio’s lineup includes original members Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton, along with touring musicians who contribute to the band’s live performances in the absence of founding member Dave Sitek.
Adebimpe’s reflections on the band’s revival capture the essence of TV On The Radio’s journey back into the music scene, painting a picture of anticipation and exhilaration as they prepare to share their music with fans once again.