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As the sun prepared to rise over Madrid, Francesco Puddu occupied a perfect spot in front of the city's massive concert venue. He stood with the first devotees to arrive at the location, buzzing with expectations for the act's return to the stage in almost a decade, kicking off a multi-city European tour.

"I'm incredibly excited. I can scarcely accept it's real," stated the fan, who had come from his home country. "After such a lengthy hiatus, even if they play the same song 20 times in a row, I'll be happy."

The wait seemed short as fans plotted where to position themselves in front of the central stage, and celebrated the fact that they were among the lucky ones who had secured tickets for a tour that had been fully booked in a very short time.

Controversy and Fan Reactions

The conflict in Gaza was another topic that had arisen throughout the day, considering the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel had urged on people to skip the tour, pointing to guitarist a member's previous show in Israel.

This issue appears to be contentious for the group; after reports emerged about the boycott call, journalists were denied from obtaining tickets to cover the Madrid concert. On Tuesday, the group did not reply to a question regarding the action.

Throughout the country, where many thousands have demonstrated in support of the Palestinian cause, the group's decisions had made some supporters divided. "I would have preferred if they had spoken out about it before," said one attendee, a young woman, who requested that her last name not be revealed. "As someone who admires them, I was a little bit disappointed. But fortunately I think they understood the situation."

She pointed to the situation earlier in the Australian city, when the vocalist, the artist, briefly walked off stage during a solo gig after a protester shouter yelled: "How many more dead children will it take for you to condemn the atrocities in the region?"

That wasn't the appropriate approach to respond, said the fan. "I was unhappy with that reaction." Finally, however, the melodies had won her over. "Naturally have no power over what I feel when I hear the sound ... I was determined to be present for the music and vocals that I've been enjoying since I was a child."

Musician's Position

Afterward, made a declaration saying the situation in the city left him "in shock that my supposed silence was somehow being seen as agreement," calling the leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his government as "extremists" who "must be halted."

Before the European tour, the artist commented that he would "certainly not" appear in the country. "I prefer not to be any distance anywhere near the leadership," he remarked.

Dedicated Fans Share Their Opinions

A number of supported the band, referencing their extensive background of activism. "They've always stood for harmony, they can't have changed now," said a dedicated fan. "I think the those familiar with them, understand that they are on the right side."

The evening's performance was to be the fiftieth occasion she had seen the group perform, after developing a passion when she first saw them live in the mid-nineties.

For these events she had admissions for several concerts: the first event in Madrid and every single performance in her nation of Italy. "They constantly evolve from album to album, they don't replicate similar shows," she said as she showed off her couple of Radiohead-themed tattoos. "Essentially, I formerly was a supporter of another band but they kept doing identical actions. And eventually you get bored."

New Generation Discovers the Fanbase

For some, the fact that the band had gone many seasons without performing together had brought a sense of urgency into the new tour. "It's possible there won't be subsequent occasion, the group has aged at this point," said an attendee, 20, prompting amusement from those standing nearby around him. "So it was really worth it to attend and enjoy this moment."

Nearby stood Sergio Zapater, who had appeared luggage in hand after riding a early transport from Valencia.

The most recent instance the middle-aged man had seen Radiohead was in a different era. This time, he had arrived at the location more than nine hours before the concert was set to open, sure that he would be the initial attendee.

Instead he realized the fact that a recent fanbase – one that seemed comfortable with dawn arrivals or lines – had developed a passion for the band's "evolved, elaborate, soul-touching" songs. "I was surprised to see numerous teenagers here," he said with a smile. "What a nuisance, I thought I would be the lead attendee because adults don't do such activities. But at present my position is later."

Following several performances in the Spanish capital, Radiohead's tour will move to the Italian city, the UK capital, the Danish city and the European nation, ending on mid-December.