The dust has finally settled on the opening night of Queens Of The Stone Age's European tour, but the excitement still lingers. As Monday, June 29, dawned over Solna, Sweden, fans gathered at the Strawberry Arena with bated breath, and their patience was rewarded in spades. The band, supporting System Of A Down, unveiled a treasure trove of deep cuts from their 2007 masterpiece 'Era Vulgaris', sending shockwaves through the enthusiast community.
The setlist, meticulously compiled by Setlist.FM, kicked off with an electrifying live rendition of 'Run, Pig, Run' – a rare sighting indeed, with its last performance dating back to 2008. Later, QOTSA stunned the audience with 'The Fun Machine Took A Shit And Died', making a triumphant return after a decade-long hiatus. These vintage gems were woven expertly into a fabric of fan favourites like 'Little Sister' from 'Lullabies To Paralyze' (2005) and 'My God Is The Sun' from '…Like Clockwork' (2013).
But the real pièce de résistance was yet to come – as QOTSA dug deep into their back catalogue, treating fans to 'Sick, Sick, Sick', a highlight from 'Era Vulgaris'. Before long, the evening drew to a close with anthemic staples like 'Go With The Flow' and 'No One Knows', but not before a spine-tingling performance of 'A Song For The Dead' – a haunting tribute from their 2002 classic 'Songs For The Deaf'.
The QOTSA fanbase is abuzz with delight, with speculation running wild on social media platforms like Reddit. With the 20th anniversary of 'Era Vulgaris' just around the corner, many are pinning their hopes on a dedicated tour to celebrate this milestone album. The European leg, which includes stops in France, Italy, and Germany, will culminate in two electrifying shows in Poland on July 18 and 19.
For UK fans, the highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the massive concerts scheduled for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on July 13 and 15. And with QOTSA's recent exploits – including a stripped-back performance in Paris' historic Catacombs and an intimate string-section tour – it's clear that this band never fails to deliver the goods.