Don’t expect your typical rock concert when you see Queens Of The Stone Age live in ’25.
Their ongoing ‘Catacombs Tour’ is more theatrical and less rock show — but in a good way — than one might expect from the famously heavy group.
Prior to the tour, the group described this run as “a limited series of very special one-night-only evenings at a curated selection of North America’s most historic theaters…comprised of all-new arrangements crafted specifically for the occasion and enhanced by assembled ensembles, the end result will be a precious few unique and intimate performances unlike any previous QOTSA tour” via Instagram.
Having witnessed this unique “one-night-only evening” program at New York City’s iconic Beacon Theatre, we’d argue that ‘Catacombs’ can best be described as a three-act show with peaks and valleys.
The proceedings get underway with frontman Josh Homme taking the stage, illuminated by a work light he carries like a prop, before launching into a haunting one-two punch of “Running Joke” and “Paper Machete” from the recently-released “Alive in the Catacombs” EP.
Behind Homme sits a small orchestra, and the stage remains dimly lit as they snake into “Kalospia,” which felt exceptionally dramatic toward the end, as Homme quiveringly howled the final note. It’s raw, it’s vulnerable and the crowd ate up every second of this soul-stirring performance.
One act down, two more to go. Next up, QotSA ratcheted up the intensity building an intentionally foreboding atmosphere. The stage glows red, the orchestra expands, and so does the sounds. This time around, Homme trades in the work light for a meat cleaver as he and the band mash-up “Someone’s in the Wolf” and “Straight Jacket Fitting,” as well as “Mosquitos” with a ferocious cover of Them Crooked Vulture’s “Spinning In Daffodils.”
QotSA closed the show more in step with what you’d expect from the popular qyintet. Homme takes up his guitar, and the lights brighten. The outfit delivers “You Got A Killer Scene There, Man,” to a roaring crowd, which, to be fair, has been appropriately supportive and vocal for the entirety of the off-kilter yet artsy show. It’s clear that most, if not all, the fans in attendance are die-hard fans (or “Cavepeople” as they affectionately call themselves). Sure, “Alive In The Catacombs” is arguably a bit of a departure from their earlier works — especially for those who still associate the group with the fist-pumping “Go With The Flow” — but this tour is reflective of how much QotSA has evolved over the decades, proving their salt as genuine entertainers and not just an alternative rock band from the ’90s who are ‘“still playing.”
Homme is like a hybrid ringmaster/ emcee, dressed to the nines in a suit, amicably bantering between songs and going into the crowd. That, along with the expertly-employed orchestra make every song sound more dramatic and spectacular — especially when they rock out to the mystical “Fortress.”
Final verdict: Even if you’re not a die-hard QOTSA fan, ‘The Catacombs Tour’ is worth checking out for the theatrics. Although it’s unlikely you’ll feel compelled to throw devil horns, the songs will stick with you long after the encore.
The second North American leg of Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘Catcombs Tour’ takes place Nov. 8-21. Grab tickets here.
Queens of the Stone Age tour schedule 2025
A complete calendar including all North American (and a single European) dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.
Queens of the Stone Age set list
According to Set List FM, here’s what Homme and co. performed at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Alive in the Catacombs
01.) “Running Joke / Paper Machete”
02.) “Kalopsia”
03.) “Villains of Circumstance”
04.) “Suture Up Your Future”
05.) “I Never Came”
Set II
06.) “Someone’s in the Wolf / A Song for the Deaf / Straight Jacket Fitting”
07.) “Mosquito Song”
08.) “Keep Your Eyes Peeled”
09.) “Spinning in Daffodils” (Them Crooked Vultures cover)
Set III
10.) “You Got a Killer Scene There, Man…”
11.) “Hideaway”
12.) “The Vampyre of Time and Memory”
13.) “Auto Pilot”
14.) “Easy Street”
15.) “Fortress”
16.) “…Like Clockwork”
Encore
17.) “Long Slow Goodbye” (Josh and Mike a cappella)
Queens of the Stone Age new music
On June 13, QotSA dropped their short but delectable five-song EP “Alive In The Catacombs.”
The mini-album is a stripped-down, string-heavy, vulnerable affair that starts slow before building to a softer climax than the group is typically known for. Think 2004 “Funeral” era Arcade Fire but led by Homme and you’re not a million miles away from what the Seattle natives are bringing to the table here.
Standouts include the powerful, sea shanty-esque album opener “Running Joke/Paper Machete,” gentle, lilting “Kalopsia” and the pitter-patter-y “I Never Came” closer. For our money, each tune here is unexpectedly beautiful in its own unique way.
To hear for yourself, you can find “Alive In The Catacombs” here.
Huge rockers on tour in 2025-26
In the event you prefer a more straightforward rock and roll show, you’ll have plenty of options these next few months.
Many of the biggest and heaviest (and sometimes mellowest/trippiest) acts around are playing venues all over North America this year and next. Here are just our five favorites you won’t want to miss live.
• RUSH
Who else is on the road this year? Take a look at this list of all the biggest rockers on tour in 2025 to find the show that makes the most sense for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
