Radiohead Downsized Organization by Removing Toxic Hangers-On After 2018

What was said

"It's amazing how complex these things, and you know, it's the classic stories of when you have a successful enterprise, you can get people who attach themselves to it who aren't good for that. They're not good. They're not part of it. They're not good for the soul, but they're trying to make themselves important in that organization. So we've had a bit of, you know, worming out."

Ed O'Brien disclosed that Radiohead's manager Brian deliberately reduced the band's organization after their 2018 tour, removing people who had attached themselves to the successful enterprise but were detrimental to the band's core relationships. O'Brien explained that distilling the operation back down to just the five band members restored the group's health and allowed them to return to touring in a healthier, more democratic dynamic.