Queens Of The Stone Age / 80's Matchbox B-Line Disaster

Never have I seen this venue as packed. I was confused by the venue choices on this QOTSA tour; smaller, more intimate rock venues. With another UK tour early next year, many people will get the chance to see them.

Which will be more than can be seen tonight. From the middle area to the back, even the towering front man that is Josh Homme could not be seen by many in attendance. We can sure hear it, but people are just residing to the fact that they will not see the show.


Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster go down well with their heavy rock sound, though it’s the Queens the crowd are here to see. There is no acoustic stuff from ‘Howl’ tonight, just raw rock.

As the huge chandeliers present at every QOTSA show are hung above the small stage, beer is slung about and the heavy pit is swaying. The biggest cheer is for Mr Homme, who does not say much until a few songs into the set, though what he does say is complimentary to the crowd.

This tour is to support new album 'Era Vulgaris', but there are plenty of old tracks for even the lesser of fans to enjoy, and there's even a dance track ('Misfit Love'), an instrumental only track; but still featuring the recognisable guitar sound of QOTSA.



For the ever changing line-up of this band, tonight has a couple of old members Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar and keyboards and a topless Joey Castillo on drums, plus new recruits bassist Michael Shuman and Dean Fertita, also on keyboards and guitar. It is Homme and his huge frame topped off with red hair that is the main force here; scarily sinister but with a babyish face that doesn't match.

Bright white flashing strobes are the only source of light on stage at points, the chandeliers more for effect than use. The set is sharp and to the point, and the new poppier tracks fit seamlessly into the set. 'Make It Wit Chu' (not a homage to the Pussycat Dolls) is the better of the new album's soft songs, though the hard ending is a little out of place.

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'No One Knows' airs early on, unlike 'Go With The Flow' as the penultimate track. New track 'Sick, Sick, Sick' is a fitting end to the show, and whether people could see the action or just hear it many are glad that they witnessed the might of QOTSA in such a small venue.

Hanging Tree
Burn The Witch
Misfit Love
Do It Again
U Would Know
3’s &7’s
No One Knows
In The Fade
Turnin On The Screw
Little Sister
Battery Acid
Make It Wit Chu
The Bronze
Headache
Go With The Flow
Sick, Sick, Sick

FUTURE GIGS

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