QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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Having missed their 2014 Australian tour that saw guests Nine Inch Nails and Brody Dalle blow away crowds from all over Australia, I was sure to never again make the grave mistake in letting a Queens of the Stone Age gig pass me by.

For over a year, the Villains World Tour had kept the eyes of 28 countries peeled and now it was Australia’s chance to experience a new, immersive experience. And on one rainy Wednesday night, Perth got more than they bargained for with a brag-worthy grand finale.

What started off as a meme on Facebook that sent ‘Bogan-ism’ into the spotlight, quickly turned into a career surge for Queensland band The Chats. It isn’t every day that Josh Homme tells all his musician buddies about your work either and for The Chats, this tour was major in boosting their resume. The three dishevelled, mullet-clad youths took to the stage with a collection of obscure and eyebrow raising songs, such as ‘Smoko’ (of which sent them viral), ‘Bus Money’ and ‘Pub Feed.‘ However, the exuberant lads were met with some confusion from the audience, who were unsure whether to laugh or gasp, particularly when ‘He’s Got the Clap‘ rolled off their uncensored tongues. Coming from a pub-like vibe, I felt as though the band would be better suited in an environment where the beer is endless and censorship non existent. Despite the confusion in the air, The Chats were sent off with a cheerful applause.

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THE CHATS // Photo – Karen Lowe

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Upon my first glance at the supporting acts, I considered C.W. Stoneking to be an unlikely guest due to the difference in genre and feared that his performance would be under-appreciated and yet, how wrong I was. Armed with a band and two backup singers with hauntingly beautiful voices, the man from Katherine swept the stage with a combination of classic blues and Rockabilly with a Vaudevillian charm. C.W. Stoneking fitted the perfect mould of a performer, right down to his southern accent. Songs like ‘Handyman Blues’ encouraged a rhythmic hip swing, whilst ‘Temptation’ demanded all audience members move vigorously to the euphoric jive.

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C.W. STONEKING // Photo – Karen Lowe

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A few minutes later, the lights dimmed and a scattering of champagne coloured spots fell gently against the seating fixtures while Arthur Freed’s version of ‘Singin in the Rain’ pranced from the speakers. One at a time, each member from Queens of the Stone Age waltzed out on stage to the ear-splitting applause and cheers of the crowd. After a brush with theatre, the band dove deep into their set with the classic, yet ever powerful ‘Someone’s in the Wolf.’ Fists punched the smokey air and bodies provoked by a sound they loved, formed a mini mosh circle.

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QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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In between the space age theatrics and kicking parts of the lighting system on stage down, frontman Josh Homme engaged with the frothing fans. Josh smiled into the microphone as a man from the seating area tried desperately to climb down the long drop into the mosh pit.

“Security will protect you. Let him down. If you don’t let him down, I’ll have you removed security.”

Followed by more giggles and cheers, a few more fans made their way down below despite the stubborn security guards.

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QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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My old man had willingly agreed to attend this show with me, despite only knowing one song, ‘No One Knows.’ Proudly, he sang all the lyrics, tapped his feet and nodded his head along with the beat. There was no stopping us seated folk from engaging just as much as the mosh pit.

After a couple of cigarettes and violently awesome tracks, Josh again took to the mic as guitars softly strummed in the background.

“Nothing else fucking matters, it’s just you and me now. You’re free.”

He implored that we all join him to sing along to ‘I Wanna Make it Wit Chu.’ Harmoniously, the crowd did so. It was a moment so beautiful and so very MTV Unplugged. Be it possible, lighters would have been pulled from pockets and waved around in a gentle swaying motion.

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QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE // Photo – Karen Lowe

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After completing their set, encore and all, the audience stood up proudly and raised their hands in thunderous applause. For a few solid minutes no one said a word, just soaked up everything they experienced on this space-age influenced masterpiece. My father and I returned back to Earth as we sat in the car on the drive home. Humming a familiar tune, we smiled. Satisfied with our alternate dimension, Villains adventure.

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Check out Karen Lowe’s gallery of the show HERE

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QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
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AMNPLIFY – DT