Queens of Stone Age Film First Paris Catacombs Concert

Queens of the Stone Age recorded a unique concert film titled Alive in the Catacombs, capturing their performance in the Paris Catacombs, a 320km underground ossuary filled with millions of human remains. This July 2024 performance was the first legally sanctioned concert ever held in the Catacombs, fulfilling a vision frontman Josh Homme had for nearly 20 years. The band performed a stripped-down, acoustic set enhanced by a three-piece string section, using unconventional percussion like chains and chopsticks, all without overdubs or traditional electricity. Homme described the setting as haunting yet welcoming, stating that the Catacombs dictated the intimate and minimalist nature of the music. The film, produced by La Blogothèque and directed by Thomas Rames, will be released on June 5th and includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience, with an audio-only version planned for later. The Catacombs' eerie ambiance and historical significance deeply influenced the performance, making it a profound artistic interpretation of the space.