Queens of the Stone Age formed in 1996, but Josh Homme had already passed veteran performer stage after forming Kyuss in 1987.
Nine Inch Nails formed in 1988 giving Trent Reznor a 26-year history this year.
Brody Dalle was playing around Melbourne in 1993 and moved to Los Angeles where she formed The Distillers, then Spinerette and now fronts her solo band.
The point is there is a lot of experience wrapped up in these three acts and back to back at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, they each delivered incredible but totally different performances.
Dalle could be the illegitimate daughter of Lemmy. While she was given the 30 minute opening slot she channeled Motorhead over a powerful, speed-metal showcased focused on her new record ‘Diploid Love’ plus a few blasts from her bands of the past.
Queens of the Stone Age were up next. John Homme and Trent Reznor flip a coin for the headline slot on the current tour every night. Reznor won. Then again Homme may have just wanted to head out early to watch his wife Brody Dalle play a Melbourne pub gig later that night.
Queens of the Stone Age are good for a reason. They work hard, perform regularly, play a lot and they just got good from loads of training. Watching QOTSA now is to watch this band at its peak. Australia has seen this band a lot over the years. Afterall, Homme has to visit the in-laws.
Every QOTSA album has been a hit in Australia. The latest ‘…Like Clockwork’ was their first Aussie no. 1. It is therefore not surprising that a QOTSA setlist sounds like a greatest hits show. It now is.
Queens of the Stone Age, Melbourne, March 15, 2014
You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire (from Songs For The Deaf, 2002)
No One Knows (from Songs For The Deaf, 2002)
My God Is The Sun (from …Like Clockwork, 2013)
Burn The Witch (from Lullabies To Paralyze, 2005)
Smooth Sailing (from …Like Clockwork, 2013)
Misfit Love (from Era Vulgaris, 2007)
…Like Clockwork (from …Like Clockwork, 2013)
In My Head (from Lullabies To Paralyze, 2005)
If I Had A Trail (from …Like Clockwork, 2013)
Little Sister (from Lullabies To Paralyze, 2005)
The Vampyre Of My Memory (from …Like Clockwork, 2013)
I Say By The Ocean (from …Like Clockwork, 2013)
Match It Wit Chu (from Era Vulgaris, 2007)
Better Living Through Chemistry(from Rated R, 2000)
Go With The Flow (from Songs For The Deaf, 2002)
A Song For The Dead (from Songs For The Deaf, 2002)
Nine Inch Nails are also the essence of what a live band should be. Trent Reznor tours a lot and like Queens he is always touring. The highlights for NIN were his two songs with his wife Mariqueen Maandig of How To Destroy Angels and his masterpiece ‘Hurt’, once covered by country music legend Johnny Cash.
Nine Inch Nails, Melbourne, March 15, 2014
Copy Of A (from Hesitation Marks, 2013)
Survivalism (from Year Zero, 2007)
Terrible Lie (from Pretty Hate Machine, 1989)
March Of The Pigs (from The Downward Spiral, 1994)
Piggy (from The Downward Spiral, 1994)
The Frail (from The Fragile, 1999)
The Wretched (from The Fragile, 1999)
The Warning from Year Zero, 2007)
Came Back Haunted (from Hesitation Marks, 2013)
All Time Low (from Hesitation Marks, 2013)
The Big Come Down (from The Fragile, 1999)
Gave Up (from Broken EP, 1992)
Ice Age (with Mariqueen Maandig) (How To Destroy Angels cover)
BBB (with Mariqueen Maandig) (How To Destroy Angels cover)
Wish (from Broken EP, 1992)
The Hand That Feeds (from With Teeth, 2005)
Head Like A Hole (from Pretty Hate Machine, 1989)
Hurt (from The Downward Spiral, 1994)
QOTSA, NIN, Brody Dalle remaining dates
March 15, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
March 17, Brisbane, Entertainment Centre
March 19, Auckland, Vector Arena
March 20, Wellington, TSB Band Arena
March 22, Christchurch, CBS Canturbury Arena
Brody Dalle – Meet The Foetus/Oh The Joy
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