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As the sun prepared to rise over the Spanish capital, Francesco Puddu secured a ideal spot in front of the city's massive arena. He joined the first Radiohead fans to arrive at the venue, overflowing with hopes for the group's first live show in almost a decade, starting a multi-city European tour.

"I'm incredibly excited. I can scarcely accept this moment has arrived," shared the young man, who had journeyed from his home country. "Given the extended wait, even were they sing a single tune again and again, I'll be happy."

The wait seemed short as concertgoers plotted their ideal spots in front of the central stage, and enjoyed the fact that they were among the fortunate ones who had scored tickets for a event that had sold out in a very short time.

Debate and Fan Reactions

The situation in Gaza was another topic that had arisen throughout the day, considering the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel had urged on people to boycott the performances, citing guitarist Jonny Greenwood's 2024 performance in Tel Aviv.

The topic seemingly remains delicate for the artists; subsequent to news stories about the demonstration request, reporters were blocked from obtaining tickets to review the Madrid concert. On that evening, the band did not respond to a question regarding the action.

Throughout the country, where hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets in support of Palestine, the group's decisions had caused some followers torn. "It would have been nice if they had expressed their views about it much earlier," said a fan, 22, who requested that her last name not be shared. "Being a supporter, I felt somewhat let down. But fortunately I think they understood the situation."

She pointed to the event previously in Melbourne, when the lead singer, the artist, temporarily walked off stage during a solo gig after a protester disrupter shouted: "How many more children killed will it take for you to speak against the genocide in Gaza?"

That wasn't the right way to answer, said the attendee. "I disapproved of the action." Ultimately, however, the music had convinced her. "I clearly can't control what I feel when I hear the sound ... I truly desired to attend and hear the voices and sounds that I've been following since I was a young teen."

Artist's Statement

Yorke later, released a statement saying the situation in Melbourne left him "stunned that my apparent non-response was somehow being seen as complicity," calling the leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his regime as "extremists" who "must be halted."

Ahead of the performances, the artist stated that he would "absolutely not" perform in Israel. "I wouldn't want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime," he added.

Loyal Followers Express Their Views

A number of stood by the artists, citing their established record of activism. "They have long advocated for harmony, they wouldn't shift now," said Alessandra Fossati. "In my view the those familiar with them, know that they are on the right side."

Tuesday's concert was to be the fiftieth occasion she had seen the band play, after falling in love when she first saw them in concert in 1995.

This time she had admissions for multiple performances: opening night in the Spanish city and all the appearances in her home country of the European country. "They constantly evolve from album to album, they don't replicate the same thing," she said as she showed off her couple of band-inspired tattoos. "Essentially, I used to be a follower of different artists but they kept doing similar performances. And after a while you lose interest."

Younger Fans Joins the Fandom

Among certain attendees, the fact that the group had remained an extended period without playing live had injected a awareness of rarity into the current series. "Perhaps there will be no subsequent occasion, Radiohead is pretty old at this point," said an attendee, in his twenties, causing amusement from those waiting in line around him. "So it was really worth it to come here and experience this event."

Nearby sat an attendee, who had arrived carrying his things after catching a daybreak rail from Valencia.

The last time the fan had seen the group was in a different era. On this day, he had reached at the location more than nine hours before the show was due to start, convinced that he would be the first in line.

Instead he realized the fact that a new generation – one that appeared unfazed by morning queues or lines – had fallen for the group's "evolved, elaborate, soul-touching" music. "I was taken aback to find so many youth here," he said with a smile. "How annoying, I believed I would be first in line because older people skip these things. But currently I'm 25th."

Following several performances in Madrid, the group's series will travel to the Italian city, the UK capital, the Danish city and Germany, concluding on mid-December.