Queens of the Stone Age Share Concert Film ‘Alive in The Catacombs’

The acclaimed concert film Queens of the Stone Age: Alive in the Catacombs is now available to stream for free on YouTube, starting today. Queens of the Stone Age fans around the globe are invited to witness the band’s intimate, powerful performance, set deep within the ancient, atmospheric underground tombs of Paris. Filmed and recorded in July 2024, the band is captured as you’ve never seen or heard them before, with a carefully selected setlist spanning the band’s catalogue, each song chosen specifically and epically reimagined in deference to the Catacombs.

The companion film, directed by Andreas Neumann, Alive in Paris and Before, is also part of this free YouTube release. The intimate behind-the-scenes documentary film reveals the emotional and physical trials Queens of the Stone Age overcame to create Alive in the Catacombs.

Previously, both unique cinematic experiences were available for purchase directly from the band as well as through the Criterion Channel’s streaming platform. The film also had a run of worldwide theatrical screenings in over 20 countries. Fans who wish to own a digital copy for their permanent collection can still do so with a direct purchase at the band’s official site, while the audio release is available on all digital streaming platforms HERE.

The Catacombs of Paris are a sprawling 320km (200 miles) ossuary beneath the surface of Paris. With a foundation of several million bodies buried in the 1700s, skeletal remains are largely exposed, with much of the walls built of skulls and bones, “the biggest audience we’ve ever played for,” says Joshua Homme. Homme had dreamt of staging a QOTSA performance there since his first visit nearly 20 years ago. The city of Paris, however, had never granted permission to any artist to play within the sacred tunnels. QOTSA, being law-abiding citizens, waited until their vision was sanctioned.

Queens of the Stone Age took that vision on the road this fall, wrapping their “The Catacombs Tour” late last month, captivating audiences in historic theatres across the US and Europe. The one-of-a-kind undertaking showcased all-new musical arrangements that were meticulously crafted specifically for these shows. The London Standard caught their Royal Albert Hall show, raving, “It’s a stunning show from a superlative band who’ve proved themselves at the top of the rock canon time and time again. But as slick, theatrical showmen? It might well be their finest hour. God save these most gracious Queens. *****” And the NME hailed the show as a “once-in-a-lifetime set.”

During their Austin tour date, QOTSA stopped at the Austin City Limits stage for the first time in a decade with a performance unlike anything in the show’s 50-plus-year history —delivering an epic, three-act, full-hour master class in music and mood, accompanied by a nine-piece orchestra. The performance will air January 31st on PBS at 7 pm CT/ 8 pm ET (check local listings) with full episodes available to stream at pbs.org/austincitylimits and on the free PBS App.