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As the sun prepared to rise over the Spanish capital, Francesco Puddu secured a perfect location in front of the city's imposing arena. He stood with the first devotees to appear at the location, buzzing with hopes for the British band's return to the stage in an extended period, kicking off a multi-city continental journey.

"I feel overwhelming joy. It's hard to believe it's real," stated the 27-year-old, who had journeyed from his home country. "Given the extended wait, even if they sing one track again and again, I'll be happy."

The wait seemed short as fans plotted where to position themselves in front of the central stage, and reveled in the fact that they were among the privileged ones who had scored tickets for a concert series that had sold out in record time.

Discussion and Audience Responses

The situation in Gaza was a subject that had come up throughout the day, given that an advocacy organization had appealed on people to skip the performances, pointing to guitarist a member's appearance in Tel Aviv.

This issue appears to be delicate for the band; after reports emerged about the protest appeal, media representatives were denied from getting tickets to cover the opening night. On the day of the show, the group did not answer to a inquiry regarding the decision.

In Spain, where many thousands have demonstrated in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the group's decisions had left some fans divided. "It would have been nice if they had made a statement about it sooner," said one attendee, in her twenties, who asked that her surname not be published. "Being a supporter, I felt somewhat let down. But at least I think they learned their lesson."

She referenced the event earlier in the Australian city, when the vocalist, the artist, briefly exited the performance during a solo gig after a activist disrupter shouted: "How many children killed will it take for you to condemn the violence in Gaza?"

It was not the appropriate approach to answer, said the attendee. "I was unhappy with the action." Finally, however, the songs had convinced her. "I obviously can't control my emotions when I experience the sound ... I really wanted to come and listen the voices and sounds that I've been following since I was 12 years old."

Band's Response

Yorke later, released a statement saying the situation in the city left him "stunned that my apparent non-response was somehow being seen as involvement," labeling the leader, the Israeli leader, and his regime as "extremists" who "need to be stopped."

Ahead of the performances, Yorke declared that he would "definitely not" play in Israel. "I have no desire to be 5,000 miles close to the Netanyahu regime," he continued.

Longtime Supporters Express Their Opinions

Some defended the band, pointing to their established record of advocacy. "They have long advocated for harmony, it's unlikely they've altered now," said a dedicated fan. "I believe the people who know them, recognize that they are on the correct side."

Tuesday's concert was to be the half-century mark she had seen the band perform, after becoming hooked when she originally attended them live in 1995.

On this occasion she had admissions for five of the shows: the first event in the Spanish city and all the appearances in her home country of Italy. "They continually transform from one record, they never do similar shows," she said as she showed off her pair of Radiohead-themed tattoos. "Basically, I used to be a follower of different artists but they continued with similar performances. And after a while you get bored."

New Generation Discovers the Fanbase

For some, the fact that the group had gone an extended period without performing together had brought a feeling of importance into the current series. "There might not be another opportunity, Radiohead is pretty old at this point," said an attendee, 20, prompting chuckles from those waiting in line around him. "So it was really worth it to be present and experience this time."

Nearby sat an attendee, who had arrived luggage in hand after taking a daybreak rail from his city.

The last time the 53-year-old had seen Radiohead was 22 years ago. On this day, he had reached at the location over half a day before the concert was scheduled to begin, convinced that he would be the initial attendee.

Contrarily 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 "sophisticated, complex, emotional" songs. "I was taken aback to see all these teenagers here," he said with a laugh. "It's frustrating, I assumed I would be first in line because mature individuals skip these things. But now I'm 25th."

Following several performances in the Spanish capital, Radiohead's tour will move to Bologna, London, Copenhagen and Germany, ending on the winter date.