Following his powerful live debut with the Foo Fighters at a surprise California club show this past weekend, new drummer Ilan Rubin has broken his silence on the experience. In his first public statement since joining the legendary rock band, Rubin described the performance as an “incredible release of energy” after two “wild months” of intense preparation, and he thanked fans for their overwhelming “positivity and support.”
The statement, posted to his social media on Monday, September 15, gives a brief glimpse into the intense process of stepping into one of the biggest drum thrones in rock and roll.
His full statement reads:
“Last night with @foofighters could not have been a better time. After keeping my head down for a couple wild months and throwing myself into the material, that first show was such an incredible release of energy. I’ve been taken aback by all the positivity and support, and I just wanted to say thanks! Excited for all the volume and sweat that lies ahead.”
Rubin‘s trial-by-fire debut took place on Saturday, September 13, at the intimate, 900-capacity Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo. The last-minute show, the band’s first in a year, served as the official unveiling of the new lineup for the Foo Fighters.
The successful first concert officially kicks off a new era for the band’s rhythm section. Rubin, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with his former band Nine Inch Nails, was announced as the new drummer in July. His arrival followed the dismissal of Josh Freese, who had played with the Foos for two years following the 2022 death of Taylor Hawkins. In a fascinating turn, Freese has since announced his own return to the Nine Inch Nails lineup.
The intimate club show was a warm-up for the band’s return to the global stage, with major international dates in Asia and Mexico scheduled for October and November. With his successful debut now behind him, Ilan Rubin is, in his own words, “excited for all the volume and sweat that lies ahead” as the new powerhouse behind the Foo Fighters.
So far announced dates are:
- Oct 2 – Jakarta, Indonesia – Carnaval Ancol
- Oct 4 – Singapore – Singapore Grand Prix (Marina Bay)
- Oct 7 – Tokyo, Japan – Saitama Super Arena
- Oct 10 – Osaka, Japan – Glion Arena Kobe
