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As the sun prepared to rise over Madrid, Francesco Puddu occupied a perfect location in front of the city's massive arena. He joined the first devotees to appear at the location, filled with anticipation for the group's return to the stage in an extended period, starting a extensive tour across Europe.

"I'm incredibly excited. It's hard to believe it's real," remarked the fan, who had come from his home country. "Given the extended wait, even were they perform the same song repeatedly, I'll be thrilled."

Time flew by as fans plotted their ideal spots in front of the central stage, and enjoyed the fact that they were among the fortunate ones who had scored tickets for a tour that had been fully booked in a very short time.

Debate and Supporters' Views

The war in Gaza was another topic that had come up throughout the day, considering a pro-Palestinian campaign group had called on people to boycott the tour, pointing to guitarist Jonny Greenwood's previous show in Tel Aviv.

This issue appears to be delicate for the artists; following earlier coverage about the protest appeal, reporters were prevented from getting tickets to cover the opening night. On the day of the show, the group did not respond to a request for comment regarding the action.

In Spain, where hundreds of thousands have demonstrated in backing for the Palestinian cause, the artists' stance had made some supporters torn. "I would have preferred if they had made a statement about it before," said Lola, 22, who asked that her surname not be shared. "Being a supporter, It was disappointing. But at least I think they understood the situation."

She referenced the event last year in Melbourne, when the vocalist, the artist, briefly left the platform during a personal show after a pro-Palestinian disrupter called out: "How many more children killed will it take for you to denounce the violence in the region?"

It was not the right way to answer, said the attendee. "I disapproved of that reaction." In the end, however, the music had convinced her. "I clearly have no power over my reactions when I listen to the sound ... I was determined to be present for the voices and sounds that I've been enjoying since I was a child."

Artist's Statement

Subsequently, made a declaration saying the incident in the city left him "surprised that my apparent non-response was somehow being seen as complicity," calling the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his regime as "extremists" who "need to be stopped."

Prior to the continental shows, the singer stated that he would "certainly not" appear in the country. "I prefer not to be anywhere close to the Netanyahu regime," he added.

Dedicated Fans Express Their Thoughts

Some supported the group, citing their established record of activism. "They have long advocated for harmony, it's unlikely they've altered now," said one supporter. "In my view the individuals acquainted with them, recognize that they are on the just side."

Tuesday's concert was to be the half-century mark she had seen the group take the stage, after falling in love when she first saw them performing in the mid-nineties.

For these events she had passes for five of the shows: the premiere in the Spanish city and all the appearances in her home country of Italy. "They constantly evolve from album to album, they avoid repeating similar shows," she said as she displayed her couple of band-inspired ink. "I mean, I used to be a follower of different artists but they repeated similar performances. And after a while you lose interest."

Recent Followers Joins the Fandom

With several fans, the fact that the band had remained an extended period without performing together had brought a awareness of rarity into the new tour. "There might not be subsequent occasion, the band has been around at this point," said Luka Arreaza, in his twenties, prompting laughter from those standing nearby beside him. "So it was really worth it to attend and experience this moment."

Nearby sat Sergio Zapater, who had appeared carrying his things after riding a early transport from the coastal town.

The last time the 53-year-old had seen the group was in a different era. This time, he had reached at the venue many hours before the show was scheduled to begin, convinced that he would be the lead person.

Instead he found himself confronted by the fact that a recent fanbase – one that seemingly did not mind dawn arrivals or waiting – had developed a passion for the group's "sophisticated, complex, emotional" tunes. "It amazed me to encounter all these teenagers here," he said with a smile. "How annoying, I believed I would be first in line because older people skip these events. But currently I'm further back."

Following several performances in the Spanish capital, the band's journey will move to Bologna, the UK capital, Copenhagen and Germany, ending on 12 December.