Queens of the Stone Age, Auckland NZ, 2024

Queens of the Stone Age

29th February 2024
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand

Review by Sarah Kidd with photography by Doug Peters.

When it comes to a Queens of the Stone Age show it is quite apt to describe the crowd as ‘bristling’. Witnessing a beloved band live is always an exciting experience, but a Queens show is something else altogether; almost three decades on since their formation, they still write the books on rock n roll attitude.

But to get the crowd in the mood for an evening of divinity from Homme and the boys, not one but two support acts would first grace the stage. While the Australian leg of the tour featured Gut Health, New Zealand were treated to an opening set by none other than our very own Earth Tongue.

The Wellington duo comprising of Gussie Larkin (also of Mermaidens fame) and Ezra Simons have long been bringing their own form of psychedelic noise that resonates with a primal longing in the soul. Their use of polyrhythms, and distortion in all the right places, along with the vocals of Larkin creates a concoction that one can lose themselves to with ease.

Hailing from Perth, Pond certainly found many a fan amongst their Auckland audience and it was easy to see why. Incorporating psychedelic rock, pop as well as just general noisy goodness into their set they opened with a catchy little tune entitled ‘Daisy’, that was reminiscent of something you would hear from fellow Australian artist Alex Cameron. The five piece also ooze presence, lead vocalist Nick Allbrook hurling himself around the stage when not on guitar. ‘America’s Cup’ saw many ‘ponderers’ in the audience sing along while punchy guitar solos impressed those seeing them for the first time. Fans of Tame Impala would do well to check Pond out if they haven’t already done so (with many of the members having been involved with Impala at some point or another). After a killer set last night, a headline show here is most certainly required.

Having released their eighth studio album – ‘In Times New Roman’ – last year it was no wonder that Spark Arena was heaving with bodies, those down front securing their spots, eyes locked in anticipation of what was about to befall them. Darkness fell and the audience erupted as Queens took their place, the lights turning blood red as the unmistakable opening bars of ‘No One Knows’ struck like bolts of lightning. For many this was the song that introduced them to the band, so it was no surprise that the crowd went wild. While many long-standing bands begin to shy away from playing the radio hits, Queens instead embrace it, there was no ‘let’s get this out of the way’, if anything it was even more vivacious than when last played as part of their set back in 2018.

Taking a moment to breathe it all in, Homme gazed over the crowd with a slightly crooked smile dancing across his lips, looking every inch a fox, his beard giving him a devilishly distinguished look. But the pause was fleeting, for Queens of the Stone Age were here to dance, ‘The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret’ followed by the hedonistic ‘Smooth Sailing’ delivering a one two punch to the endorphins.

Spotting a sign amongst the sea of arms that read “I have waited ten years to hear ‘I Appear Missing’” soon caught Hommes attention, asking for it to be brought to him, he immediately invited the couple holding it to join the band side of stage, a once in a lifetime experience that they are certain to never forget, their smiles as they took their place to the left of the band more luminescent than the incredible lighting itself.

Homme it seems has a new lease of life; while always an absolute tour de force live, his recent battles with the loss of loved ones, a messy divorce and cancer has seen him declare that he feels “closer to the things that he loves”, obviously music being one of them.

While the swaggering front man is often hard to tear one’s eyes away from, Queens are a band that is brimming with talent. Dressed in his trademark tailored suit, and white shoes, Troy Van Leeuwen reached god like status on guitar, to his left Michael Shuman on bass furnished each song with relish, Dean Fertita atop a riser behind Leeuwen holding down both keys and guitar with ease. But the tip of the hat must of course go to drummer Jon Theodore who despite having food poisoning the night before played as if his life depended on it.

‘My God is the Sun’ was gargantuan, vocals and instruments melding as one as they grew in intensity, ‘I Sat by The Ocean’ seeing fans lose themselves in the groove before Homme discussed with the audience (who he often referred to as “cunts who were amazing” with a wry smile) that he had heard that the Jonas brothers had played earlier in the week and that he wouldn’t mind two of them “any two will do”. Homme following it up by saying that the point of the whole thing, of life, was to love what you like and to live in the moment. Enjoy it for all that it is worth.

And enjoy he did, his ferocity, that switchblade smile only growing in magnitude as the show moved through what had to be one of their best set lists to date. There was something for everyone, from the instantly recognisable bass stomps of ‘Burn the Witch’ (dedicated to the one and only Jack Black who happened to be backstage) through to the delicious ‘3’s & 7’s’ with its rockabilly fuzzy overtones. Tracks from their latest album such as ‘Straight Jacket Fitting’ strutting around the room, Homme himself deciding to go for a wander amongst the audience for more than a hot minute, ensconcing himself deep in the front section as he got philosophical with a fan, before leading a sing-along with the entire crowd.

Old school fans of Queens were left aghast but enraptured, Homme always commanding the stage, but this, this was a whole new and invigorated man, one who was tossing caution to the wind and living in the moment, letting it take him where it would.

‘Make it Wit Chu’ prowled the room, unadulterated sexual tension dripping from its fangs as Homme smoked and swayed his hips while blowing a kiss to someone that had caught his eye in the seated section, Queens themselves knowing just how to ease back and infuse the song with a sultriness that stirred in the depths of ones loins; Stones fans recognising the nod as ‘Miss You’ was nestled away inside the breakdown. Homme introducing ‘Little Sister’ with “No one plays cow bell like we do”, the song closing the set with straight out rock that saw the mosh pit bounce.

A three part encore, all from the album Songs for the Deaf, was begun with ‘God is in the Radio’, the six minute track giving those down the front the chance to limber up before being hit full force with both ‘Go With the Flow’ and ‘Song for the Dead’, an epic drum solo from Theodore taking the encore to the next level as the mosh pit heaved under the weight of its own unbridled ecstasy. Homme farewelling the audience before tearing the gold chain from his neck and tossing it to a young woman in the front row by the name of Grace.

Queens of the Stone Age have always ruled the stage, Josh Homme the ultimate devil may care master of ceremonies. But this tour is a new beast altogether; Homme has been reborn. This is a man who has stared into the abyss and embraced the darkness before dousing it in gasoline and dancing in its naked flames.

Queens of the Stone Age:

Pond:

Earth Tongue:

Were you there at Spark Arena for this superb desert rock gig? Or have you seen Queens of the Stone Age perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

_{Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission at no cost to you.}

If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.