Alive in the Catacombs is a concert film and extended play (EP) by American rock band Queens of the Stone Age, documenting the band's performance in the Catacombs of Paris on July 8, 2024. Performed acoustically, it marked the first time a musical act has legally played in the Catacombs with the city's permission. The film was released on June 5, 2025, with an audio-only extended play of the performance coming out on June 13, 2025.
Recording and release Frontman Josh Homme said that playing Album of the Week in Paris gave the band some connections who assisted in getting a recording in the city's Catacombs to happen. They asked a few times and were rejected, about which Homme said, "I never thought it would happen, but there's no reason to stop trying." With the help of an insider Paris official, they eventually received permission, marking the first time a musical act has legally played in the Catacombs with the city's permission. The show was filmed a few days after the band announced that some The End is Nero World Tour dates would be canceled due to Homme's health issues; the recording took place on July 8, 2024, and Homme flew back to the U.S. for emergency surgery the following day.
Speaking of the decision to make the concert an acoustic one, Homme discussed the influence of the Catacombs: "We're so stripped down because that place is so stripped down, which makes the music so stripped down, which makes the words so stripped down. It would be ridiculous to try to rock there. All those decisions were made by that space. That space dictates everything, it's in charge. You do what you're told when you're in there."
The film was released digitally on June 5, 2025, along with a documentary by Andreas Neumann called Alive in Paris and Before, featuring the band's process getting ready to record the film. An audio-only version was released in an EP format on June 13, 2025, along with a vinyl edition.
The band embarked on The Catacombs Tour in October 2025 to support the release of the EP, featuring stripped-down and orchestral versions of songs performed at historic theaters.
In December 2025 both Alive in the Catacombs and the Alive in Paris and Before documentary were posted onto the band's official YouTube page.
Reception
The concert film received positive reviews. Andrew Trendell of NME said it was "starkly beautiful" and that the music "hits differently" when taking into consideration the mini documentary accompanying the film. Spill Magazine added that it's one of the "strongest creative statements from Queens Of The Stone Age, while also serving as an arresting performance that should be among the greatest of live albums."
Track listing
In the credits for the video version Homme can be heard singing the then-unreleased song "Insignificant Other".
Personnel Queens of the Stone Age Josh Homme – lead vocals, sound director Troy Van Leeuwen – acoustic guitar, synth, backing vocals Dean Fertita – synth, glockenspiel Michael Shuman – acoustic bass guitar, backing vocals Jon Theodore – percussion
Strings Christelle Lassort Kiki Bella June Bozic Cécile Lacharme
Additional personnel Thomas Rames – director Mark Rankin – production, recording, sound director Gavin Lurssen – mastering FX Delaby – sound director Henri d'Armancourt – sound director Théo Fauger – director of photography La Blogotheque – production company Ondine Benetier & Anousonne Savanchomkeo – executive producer Esther – production manager Alice Delalle – production assistant Paul Pecastaing – production assistant Louise Taillan – production assistant Yasmina Chambenoit – assistant director Clara Griot – camera operator Titouan Deniaud – camera operator Katia Hamnane – steadicam Alban Lejeune – sound engineer Alexandre Sellem – editor Andreas Neumann – photography and introduction
Charts + Chart performance for Alive in the Catacombs Chart (2025–2026) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 77 Dutch Vinyl Albums (GfK Dutch Charts) 24 UK Albums Sales (OCC) 23 US Top Current Albums (Billboard) 44
External links Official upload of Alive in the Catacombs on Youtube
References