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Just before dawn broke over the Spanish capital, Francesco Puddu claimed a perfect location in front of the city's massive arena. He stood with the first supporters to appear at the site, buzzing with expectations for the British band's return to the stage in almost a decade, kicking off a 20-date continental journey.

"My excitement is through the roof. It's hard to believe it's real," remarked the fan, who had journeyed from Italy. "Given the extended wait, even were they play one track repeatedly, I'll be thrilled."

Time flew by as concertgoers plotted where to position themselves in front of the central stage, and celebrated the fact that they were among the fortunate ones who had scored tickets for a concert series that had been fully booked in record time.

Debate and Supporters' Views

The situation in Gaza was an issue that had come up throughout the day, given that a pro-Palestinian campaign group had urged on people to boycott the performances, pointing to band member a member's 2024 performance in Tel Aviv.

This issue appears to be sensitive for the group; subsequent to news stories about the protest appeal, journalists were blocked from getting tickets to review the Madrid concert. On Tuesday, the musicians did not reply to a question regarding the action.

Throughout the country, where many thousands have marched in backing for Palestine, the artists' stance had caused some followers conflicted. "It would have been nice if they had expressed their views about it before," said Lola, 22, who requested that her last name not be revealed. "As a fan, It was disappointing. But at least I think they understood the situation."

She pointed to the situation previously in Melbourne, when the vocalist, the artist, briefly walked off stage during a solo gig after a protester shouter yelled: "How many young lives lost will it take for you to speak against the violence in Gaza?"

That wasn't the right way to react, said Lola. "I disapproved of the action." In the end, however, the music had convinced her. "I clearly cannot manage what I feel when I listen to music ... I was determined to come and listen the voices and sounds that I've been following since I was a child."

Artist's Statement

Subsequently, released a statement saying the event in the city left him "stunned that my apparent non-response was somehow being interpreted as complicity," labeling the leader, the politician, and his regime as "radicals" who "should be opposed."

Prior to the continental shows, the singer declared that he would "certainly not" appear in the country. "I have no desire to be 5,000 miles close to the current government," he added.

Dedicated Fans Voice Their Views

A number of supported the band, citing their established record of social engagement. "They've always stood 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 correct side."

Tuesday's concert was to be the half-century mark she had seen Radiohead play, after developing a passion when she initially witnessed them in concert in decades ago.

This time she had admissions for five of the shows: the premiere in the Spanish city and all the appearances in her nation of Italy. "They continually transform from one record, they don't replicate similar shows," she said as she presented her couple of music-related ink. "Basically, I formerly was a supporter of another band but they kept doing the same things. And eventually you become tired."

New Generation Embraces the Fandom

For some, the fact that the band had gone seven years without performing together had injected a feeling of importance into the latest concerts. "Perhaps there will be no future chance, the band has been around at this point," said Luka Arreaza, a young man, prompting laughter from those queuing up around him. "Hence it was absolutely justified to attend and share this moment."

Nearby stood Sergio Zapater, who had come with his bags after catching a morning train from the coastal town.

The last time the 53-year-old had seen the group was over two decades past. On this day, he had arrived at the site more than nine hours before the concert was scheduled to begin, convinced that he would be the first in line.

However he discovered the fact that a new generation – one that seemingly did not mind morning queues or waiting – had developed a passion for Radiohead's "sophisticated, complex, emotional" music. "I was surprised to see all these youth here," he said with a laugh. "It's frustrating, I believed I would be first in line because older people avoid these things. But at present I'm 25th."

Subsequent to multiple shows in the Spanish capital, the group's series will travel to the Italian city, the UK capital, the Danish city and Germany, concluding on 12 December.