Followers of the Band Reveal Incredible Enthusiasm for Long-Awaited Concert in Nearly a Decade

As the sun prepared to rise over Madrid, one eager fan claimed a ideal location in front of the the grand arena. He was among the earliest Radiohead fans to arrive at the venue, buzzing with hopes for the group's return to the stage in seven years, starting a multi-city continental journey.

"I feel overwhelming joy. Like, I don't think this is happening," stated the young man, who had travelled from his home country. "It's been so long, even should they sing the same song repeatedly, I'll be content."

The wait seemed short as fans plotted where to position themselves in front of the circular stage, and celebrated the fact that they were among the privileged ones who had scored tickets for a event that had sold out in a very short time.

Controversy and Supporters' Views

The conflict in Gaza was an issue that had arisen throughout the day, considering the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel had called on people to avoid the concerts, pointing to guitarist a member's previous show in Tel Aviv.

The topic seemingly remains sensitive for the group; after reports emerged about the protest appeal, journalists were blocked from receiving tickets to review the Madrid concert. On Tuesday, the band did not reply to a request for comment regarding the decision.

Throughout the country, where a large number have marched in backing for the Palestinian cause, the group's decisions had left some fans conflicted. "It would have been nice if they had made a statement about it much earlier," said one attendee, a young woman, who asked that her last name not be shared. "As a fan, I was a little bit disappointed. But at the very least I think they understood the situation."

She pointed to the event last year in the Australian city, when the band's frontman, the artist, briefly left the platform during a solo gig after a pro-Palestinian heckler yelled: "How many more children killed will it take for you to condemn the atrocities in the region?"

That wasn't the right way to answer, said the fan. "I was unhappy with his response." Finally, however, the melodies had convinced her. "I obviously have no power over my emotions when I experience their songs ... I really wanted to attend and hear the tunes and lyrics that I've been listening to since I was a child."

Band's Response

Afterward, issued a comment saying the incident in Melbourne left him "stunned that my apparent non-response was somehow being taken as complicity," labeling the official, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his administration as "hardliners" who "need to be stopped."

Before the European tour, Yorke commented that he would "certainly not" perform in the country. "I wouldn't want to be 5,000 miles in proximity to the Netanyahu regime," he added.

Longtime Supporters Express Their Views

A number of supported the artists, pointing to their extensive background of activism. "They have consistently supported for harmony, they wouldn't shift now," said Alessandra Fossati. "In my view the those familiar with them, understand that they are on the correct side."

Tuesday's concert was to be the half-century mark she had seen the group take the stage, after developing a passion when she originally attended them live in 1995.

For these events she had tickets for five of the shows: the premiere in the Spanish city and each show in her native land of Italy. "They always change from release to release, they never do similar shows," she said as she presented her couple of band-inspired tattoos. "I mean, I used to be a U2 fan but they kept doing identical actions. And after a while you become tired."

Younger Fans Embraces the Community

With several fans, the fact that the group had been seven years without playing live had injected a awareness of rarity into the latest concerts. "There might not be future chance, Radiohead is pretty old at this point," said a young fan, in his twenties, eliciting amusement from those waiting in line around him. "So it was really worth it to come here and enjoy this event."

Nearby stood Sergio Zapater, who had arrived with his bags after riding a daybreak rail from Valencia.

The most recent instance the middle-aged man had seen the group was over two decades past. For this event, he had come at the site many hours before the performance was scheduled to begin, sure that he would be the initial attendee.

Instead he found himself confronted by the fact that a younger crowd – one that seemingly did not mind dawn arrivals or waiting – had developed a passion for the band's "evolved, elaborate, soul-touching" tunes. "It amazed me to see all these youth here," he said with a smile. "What a nuisance, I believed I would be the lead attendee because older people don't do such activities. But now my position is later."

Subsequent to multiple shows in Madrid, the group's series will proceed to the Italian city, the UK capital, Copenhagen and the European nation, ending on the winter date.