Queens Of The Stone Age have officially announced a highly anticipated return to Iceland, scheduling a single show in Reykjavík this autumn. The Californian rock outfit, fronted by Josh Homme, will perform at Laugardalshöll on Saturday, October 24, ending a nearly two-decade hiatus from the Nordic island nation. Their last appearance in Iceland was in 2005, making this a significant reunion for their dedicated fanbase there.
The announcement was preceded by a social media tease, where the band shared a video showing Google searches related to Iceland, culminating in an inquiry about their next gig in the country. This playful build-up was followed by the official confirmation, with the band posting, “Iceland, it’s simply been too long. HERE. WE. COME.” Tickets for the show are set to go on sale this Friday, June 26, at 11:00 am local time. Local Icelandic band Virgin Orchestra will open the concert.
This Icelandic date adds to a period of considerable activity for Queens Of The Stone Age. In 2024, they delivered a unique, stripped-back performance in the historic Parisian Catacombs, which was subsequently released as a concert film and live album titled 'Alive In The Catacombs'. The album received critical acclaim, with some reviewers noting the profound context of the performance, recorded when Homme was recovering from a significant health battle.
Following their Catacombs show, the band embarked on a tour across the UK, Europe, and North America. Their UK leg included a memorable concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in October, where they showcased new material and were joined by British actor and musician Matt Berry for an intimate set. These performances reportedly recreated the distinctive atmosphere of the Catacombs, complete with a string section, offering UK audiences a unique live experience.
Looking ahead, Queens Of The Stone Age are scheduled to support System Of A Down on stadium dates in the UK and Europe later this year, and Foo Fighters in North America. Beyond these support slots, fans are increasingly anticipating a new studio album, with speculation mounting that a follow-up to their 2023 release 'In Times New Roman' could arrive in 2026. This speculation intensified after the band debuted a new track, 'Easy Street', last year, leading to comparisons of Homme's vocal style to David Bowie’s 'Let’s Dance' era.