The next chapter for the Foo Fighters has officially begun. The legendary rock band returned to the stage for their first concert in a year on Saturday night, performing at an intimate, 900-capacity club in California. The surprise show marked the powerful live debut of their new drummer, Ilan Rubin, officially kicking off a new era for the rockers following a recent lineup shuffle.
The last-minute gig took place on Saturday, September 13, at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, having only been announced the day before. In a move to ensure dedicated fans were in attendance, tickets were sold exclusively in-person at the box office on the morning of the show, leading to a long line of hopefuls snaking around the venue.
The intimate concert was the first opportunity for fans to see the band with Ilan Rubin behind the kit. The former Nine Inch Nails drummer, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with that band in 2020, was announced as the Foo Fighters’ new member in July.
His arrival solidifies the band’s rhythm section following a fascinating “drummer swap” with his former band. Rubin replaces Josh Freese, who held the position for two years following the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins. In May of this year, Freese announced that the Foo Fighters had let him go, stating that the band had decided “to go in a different direction with their drummer” and that “No reason was given.” In a coincidental turn, Freese subsequently announced his own return to the Nine Inch Nails lineup.
The surprise club show serves as a live warm-up for the Foo Fighters’ official return to the global stage. After a year-long hiatus from the road, the band is scheduled to play a handful of major international dates in Asia and Mexico throughout October and November.
