Sunday Keeps On Playing

Queens Of The Stone Age, Blondshell

„The End Of Nero“ Tour presented by Mind Over Matter Music, Wiener Stadthalle – Halle D, Austria 20250713 

Sunday might be bit unusual to start a concert series of three, but this July, the area around Märzpark in front of the Wiener Stadthalle is the right place to meet early. Because after an open air show at MetaStadt last year unfortunately was not possible, it is time to catch up with a Stoner Desert Rock legend. 

Before that, Blondshell gets on stage as support. Originating from New York, she made it to Glastonbury Festival already. Her second album „If You Asked For A Picture“ is influenced by R.E.M. and especially Courtney Love and Hole. Live, the songs spread the spirit of the 90s and 00s, with mighty fine Rock attitude and several voices. 

Blondshell for sure is up and rising, while Queens Of The Stone Age have cemented their status in Rock business long time ago. They last played at Stadthalle during their „Villains“ tour and now present their new album „In Times New Roman….“ 

But as starter, they serve „Little Sister“ and the hit „In My Head“ from „Lullabies To Paralyze“. „…Like Clockwork“ has a big part in the set with „Smooth Sailing“, „My God Is the Sun“, „If I Had a Tail“ and „I Sat by the Ocean“. Another highlight is „Regular John“, and the audience happily sings with „Make It Wit Chu“. 

QOTSA make the desert with the trinity „Go With the Flow“, „No One Knows“ and „A Song for the Dead“. They don’t need a big stage with visuals or show and can keep it minimalistic, reduced to the essential: the music. But unfortunately, the sound is very washed out, what lowers the quality and concert experience.

Still with all the hits, it is a pleasure to see Josh Homme and his band again. And it is a gathering of friends who dig the sound in the capital of the country of the Alps, shown on the gig poster  with some clichés.