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As the sun prepared to rise over the Spanish capital, Francesco Puddu occupied a perfect position in front of the city's grand arena. He joined the initial Radiohead fans to arrive at the location, buzzing with anticipation for the group's first live show in almost a decade, kicking off a 20-date tour across Europe.

"I feel overwhelming joy. It's hard to believe it's real," remarked the young man, who had come from Italy. "Given the extended wait, even should they perform one track 20 times in a row, I'll be thrilled."

Time flew by as attendees discussed where to stand in front of the circular stage, and celebrated the fact that they were among the fortunate ones who had obtained tickets for a concert series that had been fully booked in record time.

Discussion and Fan Reactions

The situation in Gaza was a subject that had come up throughout the day, given that an advocacy organization had urged on people to skip the concerts, referencing musician Jonny Greenwood's previous show in Tel Aviv.

This issue appears to be sensitive for the band; following earlier coverage about the protest appeal, journalists were prevented from receiving tickets to review the opening night. On the day of the show, the musicians did not reply to a question regarding the action.

Throughout the country, where hundreds of thousands have demonstrated in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the group's decisions had caused some followers torn. "I would have preferred if they had made a statement about it sooner," said one attendee, 22, who asked that her last name not be revealed. "As a fan, I felt somewhat let down. But fortunately I think they understood the situation."

She pointed to the event last year in Melbourne, when the lead singer, Thom Yorke, temporarily left the platform during a personal show after a pro-Palestinian disrupter called out: "How many more young lives lost will it take for you to speak against the violence in Gaza?"

That wasn't the right way to answer, said the attendee. "I was unhappy with his response." In the end, however, the songs had swayed her. "I clearly can't control my emotions when I listen to the sound ... I really wanted to be present for the voices and sounds that I've been listening to since I was a young teen."

Band's Response

Yorke later, made a declaration saying the situation in the city left him "stunned that my supposed silence was somehow being interpreted as complicity," labeling the prime minister, the politician, and his administration as "hardliners" who "must be halted."

Ahead of the performances, the singer stated that he would "absolutely not" appear in Israel. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere in proximity to the current government," he remarked.

Loyal Followers Voice Their Views

A number of stood by the band, pointing to their long history of activism. "They have long advocated for harmony, they wouldn't shift now," said Alessandra Fossati. "In my view the individuals acquainted with them, understand that they are on the correct side."

The evening's performance was to be the 50th time she had seen the group perform, after developing a passion when she first saw them performing in 1995.

On this occasion she had admissions for five of the shows: the premiere in Madrid and every single performance in her native land of the European country. "They continually transform from album to album, they avoid repeating similar shows," she said as she displayed her couple of band-inspired body art. "Basically, I formerly was a follower of different artists but they repeated similar performances. And over time you get bored."

Younger Fans Joins the Fandom

Among certain attendees, the fact that the artists had been an extended period without appearing as a group had brought a awareness of rarity into the new tour. "It's possible there won't be subsequent occasion, the group has aged at this point," said an attendee, a young man, eliciting chuckles from those queuing up beside him. "So it was really worth it to attend and enjoy this time."

Behind him waited Sergio Zapater, who had come with his bags after taking a daybreak rail from his city.

The previous occasion the 53-year-old had seen Radiohead was over two decades past. For this event, he had reached at the site more than nine hours before the concert was set to open, sure that he would be the lead person.

However he realized the fact that a recent fanbase – one that appeared unfazed by morning queues or lines – had become enamored with Radiohead's "evolved, elaborate, soul-touching" songs. "I was surprised to see all these young people here," he said with a laugh. "How annoying, I believed I would be the initial person because adults avoid these things. But now I'm further back."

Following several performances in Madrid, the group's series will move to Bologna, the UK capital, Copenhagen and Germany, ending on the winter date.