The moody spring skies on Friday were the perfect backdrop as Queens of the Stone Age descended upon Ottawa like a storm, as their doom-fueled melodies filled the Canadian Tire Centre with their ‘The End is Nero’ tour. Frontman Josh Homme was fixated on the crowd as the first riff of Regular John rang through the arena. The band wasted no time, as they went into “No One Knows” almost immediately, which opened the early mosh pits on the floor. The setlist was a balance of their signature hits and newer tracks, each delivered with raw intensity and precision. Taking the occasional requests, Queens of the Stone Age went deep into their catalogue for songs such as “The Sky is Fallin’” and “Mexicola.”
The band’s chemistry was undeniable, and each song felt like a jam session as Dean Fertita and Josh Homme traded solos while Michael Shuman endlessly delivered thick, punchy bass lines. The production was visually stunning, boasting a pyramid-shaped stage drenched in smoke, adding to the band’s gritty atmosphere. The night reached its climax with an encore featuring an explosive rendition of “A Song for the Dead,” as the barrage of distorted guitars and thundering drums collided for an electric finale.
Opening the night were UK rockers, The Struts, who have carved out their unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll over the years. Luke Spiller commanded the stage, with a 70’s era charm as the band went into their hits such as “Kiss This” and “Body Talks.”
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