Queens of the Stone Age have announced their live album and film Alive in the Catacombs, set to showcase their never-been-done-before performance in Paris’ famed underground tombs.
Shot in July 2024, Queens of the Stone Age: Alive in the Catacombs marks the first time an artist has ever been given permission to perform in the haunting underground of Paris city, which spans around 300 kilometers and is home to over six million dead bodies buried in the 1700s.
The film, which was recorded in one take, is set to premiere on 5th June and will show acoustic versions of a carefully curated setlist which will span across their discography - with each song chosen and reimagined specifically for the haunting underground setting.
A new trailer reveals eerie shots of the abandoned underground passageways, where walls lined with skulls, femurs and historic inscriptions can be seen, as well as the band performing in an intimate, acoustic format alongside a three-piece string section.
“If you’re ever going to be haunted, surrounded by several million dead people is the place. I’ve never felt so welcome in my life,” frontman Josh Homme said in a press release, while he later joked that the performance marks “the biggest audience we’ve ever played for.”
Speaking about the intimate performance, Homme said, “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.”
Homme had the vision of performing in the sacred tunnels ever since he visited them over 20 years ago, but the city of Paris has never granted permission to any artist - until now.
Speaking about the decision to allow this once in a lifetime performance, the catacombs’ Hélène Furminieux said, “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.”
The film will premiere on June 5th on Queens of the Stone Age’s official website. You can pre-order the film for $15NZD, and orders made before June 7th will give you access to behind-the-scenes footage in addition to full streaming and download access.
There’s something about this that gives me the chills, in the best way. I think seeing Queens of the Stone Age perform in such a surreal, sacred setting will be something truly unforgettable.
