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In the early morning hours over the Spanish capital, one eager fan occupied a perfect position in front of the city's imposing arena. He joined the initial devotees to arrive at the venue, overflowing with expectations for the act's comeback performance in almost a decade, kicking off a extensive tour across Europe.

"My excitement is through the roof. Like, I don't think this is happening," remarked the young man, who had travelled from his home country. "It's been so long, even should they perform a single tune 20 times in a row, I'll be happy."

Time flew by as attendees plotted 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 concert series that had sold quickly in record time.

Controversy and Audience Responses

The conflict in Gaza was a subject that had been discussed throughout the day, due to the fact that an advocacy organization had appealed on people to boycott the tour, referencing guitarist Jonny Greenwood's previous show in Tel Aviv.

The matter continues as delicate for the artists; following earlier coverage about the boycott call, journalists were denied from obtaining tickets to review the Madrid concert. On that evening, the musicians did not reply to a inquiry regarding the choice.

Across the nation, where many thousands have taken to the streets in support of Palestine, the group's decisions had made some supporters divided. "I would have preferred if they had made a statement about it much earlier," said a fan, a young woman, who requested that her surname not be revealed. "Being a supporter, I felt somewhat let down. But at the very least I think they learned their lesson."

She referenced the event previously in the Australian city, when the lead singer, the musician, momentarily left the platform during a individual concert after a activist heckler shouted: "What number of young lives lost will it take for you to speak against the violence in Gaza?"

It was not the proper manner to answer, said the fan. "I disapproved of his response." Ultimately, however, the melodies had swayed her. "Naturally have no power over what I feel when I listen to music ... I really wanted to come and listen the tunes and lyrics that I've been listening to since I was 12 years old."

Band's Response

Afterward, issued a comment saying the incident in the city left him "stunned that my supposed silence was somehow being taken as complicity," calling the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his regime as "hardliners" who "need to be stopped."

Before the European tour, the singer declared that he would "absolutely not" play in the country. "I prefer not to be 5,000 miles in proximity to the Netanyahu regime," he added.

Loyal Followers Voice Their Views

Some stood by the band, citing their established record of activism. "They have consistently supported for non-violence, they can't have changed now," said one supporter. "In my view the those familiar with them, recognize that they are on the correct side."

The evening's performance was to be the 50th time she had seen the band play, after becoming hooked when she first saw them live in the mid-nineties.

On this occasion she had passes for five of the shows: opening night in Madrid and all the appearances in her native land of the European country. "They constantly evolve from album to album, they never do identical performances," she said as she presented her pair of Radiohead-themed body art. "I mean, I was once a follower of different artists but they repeated similar performances. And after a while you lose interest."

Younger Fans Joins the Fandom

With several fans, the fact that the band had gone an extended period without appearing as a group had brought a feeling of importance into the current series. "It's possible there won't be another opportunity, the band has been around at this point," said a young fan, 20, eliciting amusement from those standing nearby around him. "Therefore it was truly valuable to attend and experience this time."

Behind him sat an attendee, who had appeared carrying his things after catching a daybreak rail from the coastal town.

The last time the fan had seen the band was in a different era. On this day, he had come at the site over half a day before the show was set to open, convinced that he would be the initial attendee.

Contrarily he realized the fact that a new generation – one that seemingly did not mind early hours or waiting – had developed a passion for the group's "advanced, intricate, moving" songs. "I was taken aback to see all these teenagers here," he said with a smile. "It's frustrating, I thought I would be the initial person because older people skip these events. But at present I'm 25th."

Following several performances in Madrid, the band's journey will travel to the Italian city, the UK capital, the Danish city and the European nation, finishing on mid-December.