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Just before dawn broke over the Spanish capital, one eager fan secured a prime position in front of the city's massive arena. He joined the first Radiohead fans to appear at the site, overflowing with hopes for the act's first live show in an extended period, launching a extensive tour across Europe.

"I feel overwhelming joy. It's hard to believe this is happening," stated the 27-year-old, who had come from Italy. "Given the extended wait, even were they perform the same song again and again, I'll be thrilled."

The wait seemed short as attendees plotted where to position themselves in front of the round platform, and enjoyed the fact that they were among the lucky ones who had secured tickets for a concert series that had sold out in minutes.

Debate and Audience Responses

The war in Gaza was another topic that had come up throughout the day, given that the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel had called on people to boycott the tour, pointing to guitarist Jonny Greenwood's 2024 performance in Tel Aviv.

The matter continues as delicate for the artists; following earlier coverage about the protest appeal, journalists were prevented from getting tickets to review the performance. On Tuesday, the band did not respond to a request for comment regarding the choice.

Throughout the country, where many thousands have marched in support of Palestine, the group's decisions had left some fans conflicted. "I would have preferred if they had expressed their views about it sooner," said one attendee, 22, who asked that her surname not be revealed. "As someone who admires them, I was a little bit disappointed. But fortunately I think they learned their lesson."

She pointed to the event last year in Melbourne, when the vocalist, the musician, momentarily left the platform during a solo gig after a protester shouter called out: "What number of children killed will it take for you to condemn the atrocities in Gaza?"

It was not the right way to react, said the fan. "I didn't like the action." Ultimately, however, the songs had convinced her. "I clearly cannot manage my emotions when I hear music ... I really wanted to attend and hear the music and vocals that I've been listening to since I was a child."

Band's Response

Afterward, released a statement saying the incident in Melbourne left him "in shock that my supposed silence was somehow being interpreted as complicity," calling the official, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his regime as "extremists" who "need to be stopped."

Ahead of the performances, the artist stated that he would "definitely not" play in Israel. "I prefer not to be anywhere anywhere near the current government," he continued.

Dedicated Fans Share Their Views

Several stood by the artists, referencing their extensive background of activism. "They have long advocated for peace, they can't have changed now," said one supporter. "In my view the people who know them, know that they are on the right side."

The opening show was to be the fiftieth occasion she had seen the band take the stage, after developing a passion when she first saw them in concert in the mid-nineties.

This time she had tickets for five of the shows: the premiere in the Spanish city and every single performance in her nation of the European country. "They always change from album to album, they don't replicate identical performances," she said as she presented her pair of Radiohead-themed tattoos. "Basically, I was once a follower of different artists but they repeated similar performances. And eventually you get bored."

Recent Followers Embraces the Fandom

Among certain attendees, the fact that the artists had been seven years without appearing as a group had brought a awareness of rarity into the current series. "It's possible there won't be another opportunity, the group has aged at this point," said an attendee, a young man, eliciting chuckles from those standing nearby beside him. "Hence it was absolutely justified to be present and share this time."

In the vicinity stood Sergio Zapater, who had come carrying his things after catching a morning train from the coastal town.

The previous occasion the middle-aged man had seen the group was in a different era. For this event, he had reached at the venue many hours before the show was set to open, certain that he would be the first in line.

Instead he realized the fact that a recent fanbase – one that seemed comfortable with early hours or lines – had fallen for the band's "evolved, elaborate, soul-touching" music. "I was surprised to see numerous young people here," he said with a laugh. "How annoying, I believed I would be first in line because mature individuals skip these events. But currently I'm 25th."

Following several performances in Madrid, Radiohead's tour will move to Bologna, London, the Danish city and Germany, finishing on the winter date.