The Radio Dept. are back and they're bringing reissues with them

New music confirmed. A vinyl repress of Pet Grief on the way. And their first live show in eight years. Not a bad week for fans who've been waiting since 2018.

Surface Noise  ·  June 2026  ·  3 min read

The Radio Dept. have been quiet for a long time. Their last record, Running Out of Love, came out in 2016, and they've barely surfaced since, a few singles in 2020, then near silence. For a band with this kind of following, it's been felt.

In the last few weeks, the band has been unusually communicative on Instagram. What they've said is worth paying attention to.

New music: "yes in a bit"

Instagram comment: can we have new music — yes in a bit

The Radio Dept. on Instagram, June 2026. The reply has 317 likes.

When a fan asked whether new music was coming, the band's official account replied simply: "yes in a bit." It's not a release date. But it's the clearest signal in years that something is in progress, and coming from the band's own account, it's about as close to a confirmation as fans are likely to get before an official announcement.

Reissues: Pet Grief is first

Instagram comment confirming Pet Grief repress

Repress of Pet Grief (2006) confirmed for "some time after summer."

On vinyl represses, the band was equally direct: Pet Grief (2006) is first, due sometime after summer. Given what copies currently change hands for on the secondhand market, this is long overdue.

"Yes, looks like next year. Will be doing pet grief first and it's out some time after summer."

What secondhand prices tell you

Current Discogs market prices

Clinging to a Scheme (2010) £150–200 4–5× original
Pet Grief (2006) £80–130 4× original
Lesser Matters (2003) £60–90 3–4× original

Fans have been calling for represses in Discogs comments for at least two years. The demand is there, the records just haven't been. A sustained reissue campaign starting with Pet Grief should change that. Whether Clinging to a Scheme and Lesser Matters follow isn't confirmed yet.

And there's a live show

radio dept pitchfork-music-festival-london-26

The Radio Dept. to play Koko in London as part of Pitchfork music festival

Separately, The Radio Dept. have been confirmed to headline Pitchfork Festival London this November, their first live performance since 2018. Whether that set includes new material is the obvious question. Either way, a band this quiet doesn't re-emerge for a one-off.

When reissue details and pre-order links land, we'll have them here.

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