site.btaRadiohead Frontman Thom Yorke Expected in Sofia with The Smile

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke is coming to Sofia with his rock band The Smile for a concert on June 18, 2024. The show will be staged at Arena Sofia, also known as Velodrome Serdika, in Prince Boris' Garden, the Fest Team promotion company said on Tuesday. (This outdoor venue should not be confused with the city's main indoor sport and entertainment facility of the same name, Arena Sofia.) The event is part of the Sofia Solid series.

The Smile comprise Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, bass, keys) and Jonny Greenwood (guitar, bass, keys), who are the creative core of English group Radiohead, and Tom Skinner (drums) from Sons of Kemet.

The Smile have been noted for their post-punk energy and Afrobeat sound, and the muted, delirious atmosphere they create. The group were born after the COVID pandemic on the wings of new ideas from the outstanding artistic tandem Yorke/Greenwood, who attracted Skinner to their new project. The name of the band was borrowed from the title to a poem by Ted Hughes. Yorke warns that, in this case, "smile" should not be associated with joy and positivism; rather, it should be interpreted as the smile of someone who lies to you every day, the promoters said.

The Smile's second and most recent studio album, Wall Of Eyes, was recorded between Oxford and Abbey Road Studios, with strings performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra. It was produced and mixed by Sam Petts-Davies. The group have released three singles off the album: Bending Hectic, Wall Of Eyes and Friend Of A Friend.

The Smile also plan another 16 European headlining concerts in the summer of 2024 in addition to their March series, which is almost sold out by now.