The appeal of Californian rock band Queens of the Stone Age is broad. While their debut album and 2000's Rated R tapped into a certain mood for former or lifelong stoners, thanks to the band's metal and grunge flirtations, Songs for the Deaf, Lullabies to Paralyse and Era Vulgaris brought an extra grind to the indie dancefloor in the early noughties.
Their brand of seductive desert rock mixes narcotic paranoia, surrealism and boundless sex, which sounds utterly exhausting and nauseating in real life but, in song, is a darkened fantasy world that you can slip into for hours. With a back catalogue spanning almost 20 years, their 3Arena gig will have you partaking in or strictly avoiding mosh pits for songs like Sick, Sick, Sick and Go with the Flow, dancing with bad intentions to Little Sister or slinking along to Make It Wit Chu, their woozy version of a love song.
Even though the intensity of their music has slowed in recent years, veering too close to dadrock on 2013's . . . Like Clockwork and this year's Villains, leader Josh Homme is one of the coolest frontmen in modern rock history. What he delivers is a rare form of male witchcraft, with a cold stare that can kill and snake hips that will hypnotise.
Queens of the Stone Age fans are lifelong subscribers, and even if their recent music misses the mark of our younger, misguided but well-spent years, the allure of Homme and his band of gloomy men is strong and unyielding.
Are tickets still available?
Alas, this gig is sold out but keep an eye on Twitter for any poor, unfortunate souls selling tickets.
What time does everything kick off?
Doors open at 6.30pm and support will come from Broncho, who will kick things off at 7.30pm. QOTSA are expected on stage at 9pm. These times are subject to change.
How do I get there?
There is parking available in the Point Village car park (you can prebook a spot online for €12 through Ticketmaster) but gig-goers are encouraged to leave their cars at home and take the red line Luas or use Dublin Bus. The 151 operates every 10 minutes during rush hour and it will drop you on Castleforbes Road, the closest stop to the venue. Due to roadworks by the entrance of the car park, traffic has increased in the area, especially at rush hour, and diversions are in place. So save yourself any stress and leave the car behind.
What about security?
Bags will be searched upon entry. Bottles, cans, selfie sticks, large umbrellas, iPads/tablets, video cameras, professional cameras (lens 35mm or more), audio recording devices, Go-Pro, large posters (A3+), large flags on poles, belt chains, laser pointers and anything that can be deemed a weapon are prohibited. So pack light to keep the wait in line as short as possible.
What are they likely to play?
Even though they released Villains this year and . . . Like Clockwork in 2013, judging by their setlist from their Copenhagen gig on November 14th, songs from Rated R and Songs for the Deaf get a lot of airtime.
- If I Had a Tail
- Monsters in the Parasol
- My God Is the Sun
- Feet Don't Fail Me
- The Way You Used to Do
- You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, but I Feel Like a Millionaire
- No One Knows
- Leg of Lamb
- Avon
- Smooth Sailing
- Domesticated Animals
- Make It Wit Chu
- I Appear Missing
- Villains of Circumstance
- Little Sister
- Sick, Sick, Sick
- Go With the Flow
- Encore: A Song for the Dead
