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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 Movistar Arena. He was among the first devotees to gather at the venue, buzzing with anticipation for the group's return to the stage in almost a decade, kicking off a extensive European tour.

"I feel overwhelming joy. I can scarcely accept it's real," remarked the fan, who had come from his home country. "After such a lengthy hiatus, even should they play one track again and again, I'll be thrilled."

Time flew by as concertgoers planned where to stand in front of the central stage, and reveled in the fact that they were among the lucky ones who had scored tickets for a concert series that had sold quickly in minutes.

Debate and Supporters' Views

The situation in Gaza was an issue that had come up throughout the day, considering an advocacy organization had appealed on people to avoid the tour, pointing to guitarist a member's appearance in Tel Aviv.

This issue appears to be sensitive for the artists; following earlier coverage about the demonstration request, media representatives were blocked from getting tickets to cover the performance. On that evening, the musicians did not respond to a request for comment regarding the action.

Throughout the country, where hundreds of thousands have demonstrated in backing for the Palestinian cause, the artists' stance had made some supporters conflicted. "I would have preferred if they had expressed their views about it much earlier," said a fan, in her twenties, who asked that her last name not be shared. "Being a supporter, I felt somewhat let down. But at the very least I think they learned their lesson."

She mentioned the event last year in the Australian city, when the band's frontman, Thom Yorke, briefly left the platform during a solo gig after a pro-Palestinian shouter called out: "How many young lives lost will it take for you to condemn the violence in the region?"

This wasn't the right way to react, said the attendee. "I was unhappy with that reaction." In the end, however, the music had won her over. "I obviously cannot manage my emotions when I hear the sound ... I really wanted to be present for the music and vocals that I've been following since I was 12 years old."

Artist's Statement

Subsequently, released a statement saying the situation in the city left him "surprised that my perceived quiet was somehow being seen as agreement," calling the official, the politician, and his regime as "radicals" who "should be opposed."

Prior to the continental shows, the singer stated that he would "absolutely not" perform in the country. "I prefer not to be 5,000 miles close to the Netanyahu regime," he continued.

Dedicated Fans Share Their Views

Several defended the artists, pointing to their established record of activism. "They've always stood for non-violence, it's unlikely they've altered now," said Alessandra Fossati. "In my view the people who know them, understand that they are on the right side."

The evening's performance was to be the half-century mark she had seen Radiohead take the stage, after becoming hooked when she originally attended them live in the mid-nineties.

This time she had admissions for several concerts: opening night in Madrid and every single performance in her native land of the European country. "They continually transform from one record, they avoid repeating identical performances," she said as she showed off her couple of Radiohead-themed ink. "Essentially, I formerly was a U2 fan but they continued with the same things. And after a while you get bored."

Recent Followers Discovers the Fandom

Among certain attendees, the fact that the artists had remained seven years without playing live had injected a feeling of importance into the current series. "It's possible there won't be another opportunity, Radiohead is pretty old at this point," said a young fan, a young man, eliciting chuckles from those waiting in line beside him. "So it was really worth it to be present and experience this moment."

In the vicinity waited an attendee, who had arrived with his bags after riding a early transport from his city.

The most recent instance the 53-year-old had seen the band was over two decades past. For this event, he had reached at the venue more than nine hours before the performance 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 early hours or queues – had developed a passion for Radiohead's "advanced, intricate, moving" songs. "I was taken aback to encounter all these teenagers here," he said with a smile. "It's frustrating, I thought I would be the initial person because mature individuals don't do these things. But at present I'm 25th."

Following several performances in Madrid, Radiohead's tour will travel to the Italian city, the UK capital, Copenhagen and the European nation, concluding on the winter date.