🔗 Share this article

In the early morning hours over Madrid, one eager fan secured a perfect position in front of the the imposing Movistar Arena. He was among the initial Radiohead fans to arrive at the venue, buzzing with expectations for the group's comeback performance in seven years, launching a multi-city continental journey.

"I'm incredibly excited. I can scarcely accept this moment has arrived," stated the fan, who had come from Italy. "Given the extended wait, even should they play one track again and again, I'll be content."

The hours passed quickly as fans discussed where to position themselves in front of the circular stage, and reveled in the fact that they were among the lucky ones who had obtained tickets for a concert series that had sold out in record time.

Discussion and Fan Reactions

The war in Gaza was a subject that had been discussed throughout the day, due to the fact that the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel had urged on people to boycott the concerts, pointing to guitarist a member's appearance in Israel.

This issue appears to be sensitive for the band; subsequent to news stories about the demonstration request, journalists were blocked from getting tickets to review the performance. On the day of the show, the band did not answer to a inquiry regarding the action.

In Spain, where many thousands have taken to the streets in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, the group's decisions had left some fans torn. "It would have been nice if they had made a statement about it much earlier," said one attendee, in her twenties, who preferred that her full identity not be shared. "As a fan, I was a little bit disappointed. But at the very least I think they realized their mistake."

She pointed to the incident previously in the Australian city, when the lead singer, Thom Yorke, briefly walked off stage during a individual concert after a pro-Palestinian disrupter shouted: "How many more children killed will it take for you to condemn the violence in the region?"

That wasn't the right way to react, said the fan. "I disapproved of his response." Finally, however, the melodies had convinced her. "I obviously can't control my reactions when I experience their songs ... I was determined to attend and hear the voices and sounds that I've been following since I was 12 years old."

Artist's Statement

Afterward, issued a comment saying the incident in Melbourne left him "in shock that my perceived quiet was somehow being seen as agreement," calling the prime minister, the Israeli leader, and his government as "radicals" who "should be opposed."

Prior to the continental shows, Yorke stated that he would "certainly not" perform in Israel. "I prefer not to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime," he added.

Dedicated Fans Share Their Views

A number of stood by the band, citing their established record of advocacy. "They have long advocated for non-violence, they can't have changed now," said a dedicated fan. "I believe the those familiar with them, understand that they are on the right side."

The evening's performance was to be the 50th time she had seen Radiohead play, after developing a passion when she originally attended them live in the mid-nineties.

For these events she had passes for five of the shows: the premiere in the Spanish city and every single performance in her native land of Italy. "They continually transform from release to release, they don't replicate the same thing," she said as she displayed her two band-inspired body art. "Essentially, I formerly was a U2 fan but they continued with identical actions. And after a while you get bored."

Recent Followers Joins the Community

For some, the fact that the group had remained an extended period without appearing as a group had brought a awareness of rarity into the current series. "Perhaps there will be no subsequent occasion, the group has aged at this point," said a young fan, 20, causing chuckles from those standing nearby with him. "Hence it was absolutely justified to come here and share this moment."

Behind him waited another fan, who had appeared luggage in hand after taking a early transport from the coastal town.

The previous occasion the 53-year-old had seen Radiohead was in a different era. This time, he had arrived at the location over half a day before the performance was scheduled to begin, certain that he would be the lead person.

Contrarily he discovered the fact that a recent fanbase – one that seemed comfortable with early hours or queues – had fallen for the group's "sophisticated, complex, emotional" music. "I was surprised to find so many young people here," he said with a smile. "How annoying, I thought I would be the initial person because older people don't do these things. But currently I'm further back."

Subsequent to multiple shows in Madrid, the band's journey will travel to the Italian city, the UK capital, Copenhagen and the European nation, ending on the winter date.