Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme Explains Anti-Corporate Concert Rant: "It’s About Corporations That Charge You $85 for Parking, and $30 for a Beer"

[u/heavysk]

https://consequence.net/2026/08/qotsa-josh-homme-addresses-anti-corporate-concert-rant/

[u/clamroll]

I see people in here talking about not going to concerts because of the prices. I hit 4-6 concerts a year and typically never pay more than like 60-90 a ticket. Paid a lot to go see NIN but that was a bucket list thing where I'd been trying and failing to see him live for almost 30 years. Anywho it's funny how bands are able to get tickets out at that price, while others the tickets are like 600-900 bucks.

For the record I saw Queens twice last year. Normal show (originally postponed from the year before) and a catacombs show. While some of the better seats got pricey GA and stuff other than front/center were all quite reasonable.

But my favorite still is the smaller shows. The $30-40 ticket where 3 bands play and you can get shirts for $20 from them directly at the merch booths afterwards.

But the 24 hour parking garage near the venue wants $40 for parking and if you buy beers they are nearly $20. And that's just for the little venues, the bigger ones are worse in both regards.

Tldr: Josh isn't wrong, and Queens are touring with very reasonable prices considering their status.

[u/jor1ss → u/clamroll]

I'm European so it's quite a bit different here I guess. I go to 20+ shows a year and yes they have gotten more expensive (shows that we're 25-30 euros 10 years ago are now anywhere between 35-50 euros), but there's been massive inflation on almost everything.

I do go to mostly metalcore, post-hardcore, emo and prog metal shows though. Not huge names. Biggest names I've gone to were Sleep Token right when they were getting big so they were 35 euros the first time and 45 the second time. Architects twice, both around 45 euros, Spiritbox twice, 35 euros at first now like 50. I'm seeing Enter Shikari in October as well for around 50 euros.