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Just before dawn broke over Madrid, Francesco Puddu occupied a perfect position in front of the city's grand concert venue. He was among the earliest Radiohead fans to appear at the location, buzzing with hopes for the British band's first live show in almost a decade, launching a multi-city European tour.

"I feel overwhelming joy. Like, I don't think this moment has arrived," shared the fan, who had come from his home country. "After such a lengthy hiatus, even were they perform the same song repeatedly, I'll be thrilled."

The hours passed quickly as attendees planned where to position themselves in front of the round platform, and enjoyed the fact that they were among the fortunate ones who had obtained tickets for a event that had sold quickly in a very short time.

Debate and Audience Responses

The war in Gaza was another topic that had arisen throughout the day, given that an advocacy organization had urged on people to avoid the concerts, pointing to musician Jonny Greenwood's 2024 performance in Tel Aviv.

The matter continues as delicate for the band; after reports emerged about the boycott call, reporters were prevented from getting tickets to report on the opening night. On the day of the show, the musicians did not answer to a inquiry regarding the choice.

In Spain, where hundreds of thousands have marched in support of Palestine, the artists' stance had made some supporters conflicted. "It might have been better if they had expressed their views about it sooner," said one attendee, a young woman, who requested that her surname not be published. "As someone who admires them, I was a little bit disappointed. But fortunately I think they realized their mistake."

She pointed to the event last year in the Australian city, when the lead singer, the artist, momentarily walked off stage during a individual concert after a activist heckler yelled: "How many more children killed will it take for you to speak against the genocide in Gaza?"

That wasn't the proper manner to respond, said the fan. "I disapproved of that reaction." In the end, however, the music had swayed her. "Naturally cannot manage what I feel when I listen to music ... I was determined to come and listen the tunes and lyrics that I've been following since I was a child."

Artist's Statement

Subsequently, made a declaration saying the event in the city left him "surprised that my perceived quiet was somehow being taken as complicity," describing the leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his regime as "radicals" who "need to be stopped."

Prior to the continental shows, Yorke declared that he would "certainly not" appear in the country. "I prefer not to be anywhere in proximity to the Netanyahu regime," he added.

Longtime Supporters Voice Their Views

Several stood by the artists, pointing to their long history of advocacy. "They have consistently supported for non-violence, they can't have changed now," said a dedicated fan. "I believe the individuals acquainted with them, understand that they are on the right side."

The evening's performance was to be the half-century mark she had seen the group perform, after falling in love when she originally attended them live in 1995.

On this occasion she had admissions for multiple performances: opening night in the Spanish city and all the appearances in her home country of Italy. "They continually transform from album to album, they avoid repeating identical performances," she said as she presented her two band-inspired tattoos. "Basically, I was once a U2 fan but they kept doing identical actions. And after a while you become tired."

Younger Fans Discovers the Community

For some, the fact that the group had gone many seasons without performing together had introduced a sense of urgency into the new tour. "There might not be future chance, the group has aged at this point," said an attendee, 20, causing amusement from those waiting in line beside him. "Hence it was absolutely justified to be present and enjoy this time."

Nearby stood Sergio Zapater, who had appeared carrying his things after riding a daybreak rail from his city.

The last time the 53-year-old had seen the band was in a different era. For this event, he had arrived at the venue many hours before the performance was scheduled to begin, certain that he would be the first in line.

However he realized the fact that a new generation – one that seemingly did not mind dawn arrivals or queues – had developed a passion for the group's "advanced, intricate, moving" songs. "I was taken aback to find numerous youth here," he said with a laugh. "It's frustrating, I assumed I would be first in line because older people skip these things. But now I'm further back."

Subsequent to multiple shows in the Spanish capital, the band's journey will travel to Bologna, London, the Danish city and Germany, concluding on mid-December.