🔗 Share this article

Just before dawn broke over the Spanish capital, Francesco Puddu occupied a perfect position in front of the the massive Movistar Arena. He stood with the earliest Radiohead fans to arrive at the site, overflowing with anticipation for the act's return to the stage in an extended period, kicking off a extensive European tour.

"I'm incredibly excited. I can scarcely accept it's real," shared the fan, who had journeyed from his home country. "It's been so long, even should they perform one track 20 times in a row, I'll be content."

The hours passed quickly as attendees discussed their ideal spots in front of the circular stage, and enjoyed the fact that they were among the privileged ones who had scored tickets for a tour that had been fully booked in minutes.

Controversy and Audience Responses

The conflict in Gaza was a subject that had come up throughout the day, due to the fact that the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel had called on people to avoid the concerts, referencing band member Jonny Greenwood's 2024 performance in Israel.

The matter continues as contentious for the band; subsequent to news stories about the boycott call, reporters were prevented from getting tickets to report on the performance. On the day of the show, the band did not reply to a question regarding the decision.

In Spain, where many thousands have demonstrated in support of Palestine, the band's actions had made some supporters divided. "I would have preferred if they had spoken out about it before," said Lola, 22, who asked that her full identity not be published. "As someone who admires them, It was disappointing. But at least I think they realized their mistake."

She pointed to the incident previously in the Australian city, when the lead singer, Thom Yorke, temporarily walked off stage during a solo gig after a activist disrupter called out: "How many young lives lost will it take for you to denounce the genocide in Gaza?"

This wasn't the proper manner to answer, said the attendee. "I disapproved of his response." Finally, however, the melodies had convinced her. "I clearly cannot manage my emotions when I experience music ... I truly desired to come and listen the tunes and lyrics that I've been following since I was a child."

Band's Response

Subsequently, released a statement saying the incident in Melbourne left him "surprised that my apparent non-response was somehow being taken as agreement," describing the leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his government as "radicals" who "need to be stopped."

Before the European tour, the singer declared that he would "certainly not" appear in Israel. "I have no desire to be anywhere close to the Netanyahu regime," he continued.

Dedicated Fans Share Their Thoughts

Several supported the group, citing their long history of advocacy. "They've always stood for harmony, they can't have changed now," said a dedicated fan. "In my view the those familiar with them, understand that they are on the correct side."

The evening's performance was to be the half-century mark she had seen Radiohead perform, after becoming hooked when she first saw them in concert in the mid-nineties.

On this occasion she had admissions for several concerts: opening night in the Spanish city and each show in her home country of the European country. "They continually transform from album to album, they avoid repeating similar shows," she said as she showed off her couple of music-related ink. "Essentially, I formerly was a supporter of another band but they repeated identical actions. And eventually you become tired."

Recent Followers Joins the Fanbase

Among certain attendees, the fact that the artists had been many seasons without appearing as a group had brought a awareness of rarity into the latest concerts. "Perhaps there will be no subsequent occasion, Radiohead is pretty old at this point," said an attendee, 20, prompting amusement from those standing nearby with him. "So it was really worth it to attend and enjoy this time."

In the vicinity stood another fan, who had appeared with his bags after taking a morning train from the coastal town.

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 location many hours before the performance was scheduled to begin, sure that he would be the initial attendee.

However he realized the fact that a new generation – one that seemed comfortable with dawn arrivals or queues – had become enamored with the band's "evolved, elaborate, soul-touching" music. "I was taken aback to find so many young people here," he said with a chuckle. "What a nuisance, I believed I would be the lead attendee because older people skip these things. But now my position is later."

Following several performances in Madrid, the group's series will proceed to the Italian city, the UK capital, Copenhagen and the European nation, finishing on mid-December.