Radiohead recently made their highly anticipated return to the stage on Tuesday night November 4th, at Madrid’s Movistar Arena. While the performance itself was musically powerful, not all fans left with the same sense of reverence for the night.
Radiohead fan behaviour becomes major talking point
From the floor, early sound issues were apparent and the opening track “2+2=5” began unevenly before the mix found its footing and the performance hit full stride. Thom Yorke’s vocals and guitar were occasionally drowned out in the arena’s acoustics, but fans generally acknowledged that the sound improved as the night went on.
However, audience behavior became a major talking point. Many attendees expressed frustration at the constant chatter throughout the show, describing the atmosphere as more like a busy cafeteria than a long-awaited concert.
Some fans, who struggled to secure tickets amid chaotic sales, were baffled that others treated the rare performance so casually, talking over songs such as “Videotape” and “A Wolf at the Door.”
The experience highlighted a growing sentiment among fans that post-pandemic audiences have lost some sense of concert etiquette. Despite the musical brilliance on display, for some fans, the noise from fellow attendees made it difficult to fully appreciate Radiohead’s long-awaited return.
The highly anticipated show was the first of a 20-date tour, which will see the band play across the U.K. and Europe. It includes a four-night residency at London’s O2 Arena – with shows in Madrid, Bologna, Copenhagen and Berlin through November and December.