🔗 Share this article

As the sun prepared to rise over Madrid, Francesco Puddu occupied a prime position in front of the the grand arena. He stood with the earliest supporters to gather at the location, filled with anticipation for the British band's first live show in almost a decade, kicking off a extensive tour across Europe.

"I feel overwhelming joy. I can scarcely accept it's real," shared the fan, who had come from Italy. "It's been so long, even were they play one track repeatedly, I'll be thrilled."

The wait seemed short as fans discussed where to position themselves in front of the central stage, and celebrated the fact that they were among the lucky ones who had scored tickets for a concert series that had sold quickly in a very short time.

Debate and Audience Responses

The war in Gaza was an issue that had come up throughout the day, due to the fact that an advocacy organization had appealed on people to avoid the tour, pointing to guitarist Jonny Greenwood's 2024 performance in Tel Aviv.

The matter continues as contentious for the group; subsequent to news stories about the protest appeal, reporters were prevented from obtaining tickets to cover the performance. On the day of the show, the musicians did not respond to a inquiry regarding the decision.

Across the nation, where a large number have demonstrated in support of the Palestinian cause, the group's decisions had left some fans torn. "It might have been better if they had expressed their views about it before," said Lola, 22, who preferred that her full identity not be shared. "As a fan, I felt somewhat let down. But at least I think they realized their mistake."

She referenced the situation last year in Melbourne, when the lead singer, Thom Yorke, momentarily exited the performance during a personal show after a protester heckler yelled: "How many more young lives lost will it take for you to denounce the genocide in the region?"

That wasn't the right way to answer, said Lola. "I didn't like the action." In the end, however, the songs had won her over. "I obviously can't control what I feel when I listen to the sound ... I truly desired to be present for the music and vocals that I've been listening to since I was a young teen."

Musician's Position

Yorke later, made a declaration saying the incident in Melbourne left him "stunned that my supposed silence was somehow being seen as complicity," describing the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his regime as "radicals" who "should be opposed."

Ahead of the performances, Yorke stated that he would "definitely not" play in Israel. "I have no desire to be any distance anywhere near the leadership," he added.

Longtime Supporters Express Their Thoughts

A number of stood by the group, pointing to their extensive background of activism. "They've always stood for harmony, they can't have changed now," said a dedicated fan. "In my view the people who know them, recognize that they are on the just side."

Tuesday's concert was to be the fiftieth occasion she had seen Radiohead perform, after becoming hooked when she initially witnessed them live in decades ago.

On this occasion she had tickets for several concerts: the first event in the Spanish city and all the appearances in her native land of Italy. "They always change from release to release, they never do the same thing," she said as she showed off her couple of music-related body art. "I mean, I was once a U2 fan but they continued with similar performances. And over time you lose interest."

New Generation Joins the Fandom

Among certain attendees, the fact that the group had remained seven years without appearing as a group had brought a sense of urgency into the latest concerts. "Perhaps there will be no subsequent occasion, the band has been around at this point," said an attendee, a young man, causing amusement from those standing nearby around him. "Therefore it was truly valuable to come here and enjoy this moment."

Nearby sat another fan, who had appeared luggage in hand after catching a morning train from Valencia.

The last time the 53-year-old had seen the band was over two decades past. On this day, he had come at the location more than nine hours before the show was set to open, certain that he would be the first in line.

However he realized the fact that a new generation – one that seemed comfortable with dawn arrivals or queues – had developed a passion for Radiohead's "sophisticated, complex, emotional" tunes. "It amazed me to find so many young people here," he said with a laugh. "It's frustrating, I believed I would be the lead attendee because mature individuals skip these events. But now my position is later."

Subsequent to multiple shows in Madrid, the band's journey will proceed to Bologna, the UK capital, Copenhagen and the European nation, ending on mid-December.