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In the early morning hours over Madrid, one eager fan secured a perfect spot in front of the the grand concert venue. He joined the earliest Radiohead fans to arrive at the location, buzzing with hopes for the group's first live show in an extended period, kicking off a 20-date European tour.

"I'm incredibly excited. Like, I don't think this moment has arrived," shared the young man, who had travelled from his home country. "After such a lengthy hiatus, even were they play one track repeatedly, I'll be content."

The wait seemed short as concertgoers planned where to stand in front of the central stage, and celebrated the fact that they were among the lucky ones who had scored tickets for a event that had sold quickly in record time.

Controversy and Supporters' Views

The conflict in Gaza was another topic that had been discussed throughout the day, due to the fact that an advocacy organization had urged on people to skip the concerts, pointing to musician Jonny Greenwood's previous show in Israel.

This issue appears to be contentious for the band; after reports emerged about the boycott call, reporters were prevented from obtaining tickets to report on the opening night. On Tuesday, the musicians did not respond to a question regarding the decision.

Across the nation, where hundreds of thousands have demonstrated in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the band's actions had caused some followers divided. "It would have been nice if they had made a statement about it before," said one attendee, a young woman, who preferred that her surname not be shared. "As a fan, It was disappointing. But at least I think they realized their mistake."

She pointed to the event previously in the Australian city, when the vocalist, the musician, momentarily left the platform during a individual concert after a activist disrupter called out: "What number of children killed will it take for you to condemn the atrocities in the region?"

That wasn't the appropriate approach to react, said the attendee. "I was unhappy with the action." In the end, however, the melodies had swayed her. "I clearly cannot manage my reactions when I hear their songs ... I was determined to come and listen the tunes and lyrics that I've been enjoying since I was a young teen."

Musician's Position

Subsequently, issued a comment saying the situation in Melbourne left him "in shock that my supposed silence was somehow being seen as complicity," calling the official, the Israeli leader, and his regime as "hardliners" who "must be halted."

Prior to the continental shows, the artist stated that he would "definitely not" perform in Israel. "I have no desire to be any distance anywhere near the Netanyahu regime," he continued.

Longtime Supporters Share Their Opinions

Several stood by the artists, pointing to their long history of activism. "They've always stood for harmony, it's unlikely they've altered now," said one supporter. "In my view the those familiar with them, understand that they are on the right side."

Tuesday's concert was to be the 50th time she had seen the band play, after falling in love when she initially witnessed them in concert in 1995.

On this occasion she had admissions for multiple performances: opening night in Madrid and all the appearances in her nation of Italy. "They constantly evolve from album to album, they avoid repeating the same thing," she said as she displayed her couple of band-inspired body art. "Basically, I formerly was a supporter of another band but they kept doing identical actions. And over time you get bored."

New Generation Embraces the Fandom

With several fans, the fact that the group had remained many seasons without appearing as a group had injected a sense of urgency into the new tour. "Perhaps there will be no subsequent occasion, the band has been around at this point," said an attendee, a young man, prompting chuckles from those queuing up around him. "Therefore it was truly valuable to attend and experience this time."

In the vicinity sat an attendee, who had appeared with his bags after riding a daybreak rail from the coastal town.

The most recent instance the 53-year-old had seen Radiohead was 22 years ago. For this event, he had reached at the location over half a day before the show was scheduled to begin, convinced that he would be the initial attendee.

However he found himself confronted by the fact that a recent fanbase – one that seemed comfortable with morning queues or waiting – had become enamored with the group's "sophisticated, complex, emotional" music. "It amazed me to see all these teenagers here," he said with a laugh. "It's frustrating, I thought I would be the lead attendee because older people avoid these events. But at present my position is later."

After four nights in the Spanish capital, Radiohead's tour will travel to the Italian city, London, Copenhagen and Germany, finishing on the winter date.