Queens of the Stone Age Confirm New Concert Film ‘Alive In the Catacombs’

The performance was captured in the Les Catacombes de Paris last summer

Queens of the Stone Age have confirmed their landmark concert film, Alive In the Catacombs. Recorded last summer deep in the Les Catacombes de Paris [Catacombs of Paris] in France. Filmed and recorded in July 2024, Queens of the Stone Age: Alive in the Catacombs captures QOTSA as you’ve never seen or heard them before. This utterly unique once in a lifetime experience features a carefully selected setlist spanning the QOTSA catalog, each song chosen and epically reimagined for the Catacombs. The result is an unprecedented incarnation of QOTSA at their most intimate, yet surrounded by literally millions of human remains — “the biggest audience we’ve ever played for,” says Joshua Homme. 

Watch the official trailer for the film below.

The Catacombs of Paris is a sprawling 320km (200 miles) ossuary beneath the surface of Paris. With a foundation of several million bodies buried in the 1700s, skeletal remains are largely exposed, with much of the walls built of skulls and bones. 

Homme had dreamt of staging a QOTSA performance in the Catacombs since his first visit nearly 20 years ago. The city of Paris, however, had never granted permission to any artist to play within the sacred tunnels. QOTSA, being law-abiding citizens, waited until their vision was sanctioned. 

Hélène Furminieux (Les Catacombes de Paris) said, “The Catacombs of Paris are a fertile ground for the imagination. It is important to us that artists take hold of this universe and offer a sensitive interpretation of it. Going underground and confronting reflections on death can be a deeply intense experience. Josh seems to have felt in his body and soul the full potential of this place. The recordings resonate perfectly with the mystery, history, and a certain introspection, notably perceptible in the subtle use of the silence within the Catacombs.”

Every aesthetic decision, every choice of song, every configuration of instruments…  absolutely everything was planned and played with deference to the Catacombs—from the acoustics and ambient sounds — dripping water, echoes and natural resonance — to the darkly atmospheric lighting tones that enhance the music. Far from the sound-insulated confines of the studio or the comfort of onstage monitors, Alive in the Catacombs sees the band not only rise to this challenge, but embrace it. 

Homme recalls, “We’re so stripped down because that place is so stripped down, which makes the music so stripped down, which makes the words so stripped down… It would be ridiculous to try to rock there. All those decisions were made by that space. That space dictates everything, it’s in charge. You do what you’re told when you’re in there.”

The result is QOTSA distilled down to their most elemental form—Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore augmented by a three-piece string section, employing chains and chopsticks as makeshift percussion instruments.  Alive in the Catacombs is Queens of the Stone Age stripped to their barest essence by necessity (you can’t call it “unplugged” if there are no actual electrical outlets to plug into), McGyver-ing a car battery to power an electric piano. And unfiltered, as every song was recorded live in a complete take with no overdubs or edits. 

Words fail to convey the magnificence of Queens of the Stone Age: Alive in the Catacombs. Its truly stunning balance of subtlety and grandeur must be experienced to be appreciated. The beauty is in the struggle (both internal and external). This is Joshua Homme at his most physically vulnerable yet ultimately his most triumphant.

Queens of the Stone Age: Alive in the Catacombs was produced by La Blogothèque and directed by Thomas Rames, and is being released by Queens of the Stone Age and Matador Records. The film will be available to rent or purchase. Fans who purchase Alive In the Catacombs by June 7 will receive exclusive access to behind the scenes footage in addition to full streaming and download access. An audio only version will be announced in the coming weeks. 

On June 10, Queens of the Stone Age will kick off a series of rescheduled live shows. The band was forced to cancel the dates last summer. The group was on tour in Europe when it was announced that frontman Josh Homme had to return to the United States immediately for “emergency surgery.”

“Queens of the Stone Age regret to announce that Josh Homme must return to the United States immediately for emergency surgery,” the band said in a statement at the time. “Every effort was made to push through and play for you, but it is no longer an option to continue. Queens are gutted we aren’t able to play for you. We apologize for any inconvenience and share in your frustration and disappointment.”

Despite cutting things short, Queens of the Stone Age had a huge year in 2024. In addition to their own tour dates, the group made a featured appearance at Welcome to Rockville (US) back in May. This summer, the band also performed at Hellfest (France), Rock am Ring/Rock im Park (Germany), and more. Additionally, Queens of the Stone Age headlined Download Festival in the UK alongside Avenged Sevenfold and Fall Out Boy. In our review of the band’s show at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York in 2023, we declared: “Next spring, they should be a fine choice to top any festival bill.”

Thankfully, Download got the memo.

Queens of the Stone Age’s latest album In Times New Roman arrived in 2023 via Matador. It was recorded and mixed at frontman Josh Homme’s own Pink Duck, with additional recording at Shangri-La. The album was produced by the band and mixed by Mark Rankin. It is available across all digital platforms, as well as vinyl and CD. Artwork and double LP gatefold packaging was designed by long time collaborator Boneface. The LP vinyl is available globally in standard black, as well as limited edition green, red, silver and blue.

Fans can pre-order now HERE