QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE is a legend by its own right – formed from the remains of vocalist Josh Homme’s previous band, KYUSS, which is viewed as one of the pioneering stoner rock bands. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE have a lot of remnants of the style, but is a lot more versatile band. Active since 1996, the band’s career spans over three decades and a long list of great albums. When they announced a show at Helsinki’s Ice Hall on Monday, August 4th, we wanted to check out the veteran band’s current form.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE kicked the show open at nine o’clock sharp as promised. The first three songs set the crowd afire, as after the opening “Feel Good Hit of the Summer,” they served one of their biggest hits, “No One Knows,” and then the pounding “Burn the Witch.”
After the first songs, the crowd was wild, even though Homme‘s speeches in between songs were short and kept to a minimum. The band let their playing speak for itself and did it well. They performed some of their hit songs, as well as surprises like “Hangin’ Tree,” which hadn’t been played live since 2018.
Towards the end of the show, there was more interaction between the crowd and the band, and by the end of the show, on “Make It With Chu,” there was even a moment for singing together.
Overall, the show was a showcase of a well-oiled rock machine with no thought of slowing down. The veteran duo of Homme and guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen were accompanied by bassist Michael Shuman, drummer Jon Theodor, and keyboardist/guitarist Dean Fertita. All skillful musicians who form a tightly playing base for Homme’s vocals and Van Leeuwen’s solo guitar (although there are not a lot of traditional solos in QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE’s music).
All-in-all, the band showed they are one of those legendary bands that have not let the bite of time hurt them. Their new albums are still relevant, and they deliver a fine rock show with the focus tightly on music. Check our photo gallery below…
Queens of the Stone Age
Photos by Arto Alho
