Josh Homme has shared his thoughts on musicians who don’t play their biggest hits

In a recent interview on the Tuna on Toast With Stryker podcast, Josh Homme, the frontman of Queens Of The Stone Age, shared his perspective on musicians who prioritize newer material over their biggest hits when performing live. Homme expressed his commitment to playing their hit song "No One Knows" consistently, as he personally enjoys performing it and views it as an implicit agreement with the audience when they come to see the band.

Continuing his thoughts, he remarked, "It strikes me as rather peculiar when bands refuse to play their popular or standout tracks. Treating a song loved by many as a burden comes across as a somewhat ungrateful response to the support your fans have bestowed upon you. It just seems like an unusual reaction."

Subsequently, Homme elaborated on his observations, recounting instances where he witnessed fellow artists grappling with the success of their own music. He acknowledged that having devoted fans is a gratifying aspect of being a musician.

According to him, meeting their expectations and playing the songs they desire is an integral part of the experience. Addressing the audience, he emphasized, "You're all gathered here because you have certain expectations of hearing some familiar tunes while also being open to surprises.

To surprise you effectively, I must provide those familiar elements as a foundation. Knowing some constants will happen allows for genuine surprises. So, I don't worry about matters like that."

In June, Queens Of The Stone Age unveiled their latest album, 'In Times New Roman,' as a follow-up to 2017's 'Villains.' In a glowing four-star review of the record, NME praised it as one of the band's darkest and most intricate offerings to date, destined to be cherished by fans even more.

Recently, Homme and the band headlined the Other Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2023, marking their first appearance at Worthy Farm since 2011. A noteworthy moment during their performance was a viral video of a circle pit erupting in the crowd, spreading like wildfire across social media.

Looking ahead, Queens Of The Stone Age has planned a series of concerts in the UK and Ireland this November, following a string of shows in Europe. For those interested, you can check for any remaining tickets at the provided link.