Episode 3: Chasing Rainbows

About this episode

The episode explores the conflict between Radiohead's anti-capitalist ethos and the financial pressures from their record label as they navigate contract negotiations.

One of EMI’s biggest band’s, Radiohead, are now out of contract. Record executive Tony Wadsworth is hoping to get them to re-sign with the label they have been with for years. But the band’s famously anti-capitalist ethos soon collides with hard-nosed financier Guy Hands. Sparks fly in the boardroom and we hear the untold story of the battle between the achingly cool musicians and the achingly uncool city suits. The band makes a shock announcement online about their new album. Guy retaliates with an unexpected bombshell.

Topics covered

• music industry
• band contracts
• anti-capitalism
• record labels
• business negotiations

Keywords

• Radiohead
• Tony Wadsworth
• Guy Hands
• EMI
• album announcement
• music business
• band negotiations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Radiohead, EMI

More episodes of Music, Money & Mayhem

• Episode 6: Another One Bites the Dust · November 3, 2025 · 33 min
• Episode 5: Lonely Hearts Clubs Brand · October 27, 2025 · 32 min
• Episode 4: Gone to the Dogs · October 20, 2025 · 26 min
• Episode 2: Fruit and Flowers · October 6, 2025 · 35 min
• Episode 1: Parties and Pirates · September 29, 2025 · 34 min
• Music, Money & Mayhem - the trailer · September 19, 2025 · 2 min