Queens Of The Stone Age - Southampton Guildhall

Not a soul inside Southampton’s Guildhall has heard of tonight’s openers In Case of Fire. Unfortunately, the young Irish three piece deliver tunes as uninspiring as their name. Not only hampered by bad sound, they lack dynamics and originality. Their style lays somewhere between Biffy Clyro and Therapy? but even the lazy name drops don’t justify their mediocrity.
 
There can only be one reason for a sold out show in a place like this. A crest of cheers, rising and frothing, suddenly crashes into a tumult as the awaited stride onstage. “We’ve missed you”, lead singer Josh Homme admits, before ripping into recent single ‘Sick Sick Sick’.
 
The gig is two nights before Valentine’s day and you can sense it by the strangely sexual vibes that energise the venue. Homme gyrates like a horny schoolboy as he swings his guitar like a dance partner. “This is a song for those out there who have someone special to go home to”, he purrs before launching into 'I Want To Make It Wit Chu'.
 
There is an equal smattering of tracks from all their albums, which is refreshing. Familiar tracks like 'Feel Good Hit Of The Summer' and 'Go With The Flow' earn the crowd’s heart. But tonight’s real treat is a version of 'Walkin’ On The Sidewalks' from their debut. The song is a true exercise in the nature of Queens Of The Stone Age; deep cannoning drums, swirling undercurrents of bass and hypnotic riffs.
 
The band ooze confidence as they motor through their set of outstanding songs. But as quick as they came, they leave and the crowd appear a little disappointed . Despite this, QOTSA have clearly brought a whole lot of love back into our lives. If only some of us had someone to go home to.