The Queens of the Stone Age at the New L.A. Nokia Theatre

In the Nokia Theatre, located downtown, across from the Staples Center, Los Angeles has found a new venue for music, dance, and theatre. With over 16 high-powered spotlights and high definition screens surrounding the area, the new theatre is impossible to miss. This part of town is beginning to look like a miniature Times Square, or at least, Piccadilly Circus, minus the foot traffic.

Walking up to the venue I found a shortage of scalpers, which was refreshing. I suppose the venue is too new for their shady connections with the box office or Ticketmaster. I wondered why it was so easy to get a pit ticket online seeing as The Queens of the Stone Age are a pretty popular act and this was only the third band to ever grace the largest stage in California. The band was going to test out the new theatre by seeing if they could blow out the speakers. Yes, two bands had already done that. But the Eagles and Dixie Chicks put together do not equal half the volume of the Queens.

I could smell the new carpet. The staff was overly polite and very anxious to help me find my way around. I managed by myself and wondered the lobby. In the halls were photographs of various artists performing on stage. The theatre itself looked classy, good enough for a fancy award show. Every seat is a good seat and ticket prices are fair.

I reluctantly skipped the opening act and decided to mingle with the fellow QOTSA fans. I purchased a glass of Merlot and looked to see if I recognized anyone. From what my prejudice eyes could gather, the crowd seemed a little bourgeois. Not typical of the QOTSA concerts I’d previously been. I learned that all these people were not necessarily fans.

You can buy season tickets to the Nokia theatre, guaranteeing your seat at every event. Of course, you still have to buy your ticket on the night of the show. These season ticket holders simply paid for the reservation, then the ticket.

I was interested to see the older, better dressed, Los Angelinos and how they responded to a psychedelic rock band who loves to get loud and sometimes vulgar. At other LA concert venues like the Greek Theatre, the Wiltern, or the Hollywood Bowl, the band goes on at 9 or 10, and leaves no later than 11:30. That is a late rock show. At Nokia, the Queens came on at 11 and did not modify their set. They closed at 12:30, very late considering the show started at 8. Those of us standing in the pit were beat, but not beaten. The energy of the band conquered any thoughts of fatigue.

As usual, the Queens did not disappoint. At least, not their fans, who came specifically on this night, and missed the Dixie Chick opener. Few may have been upset that the band did not play a couple “feel good hits,” including their biggest hit and radio favorite, “No One Knows.” A great move on their part, showing instead their diversity and range with songs off the new album “Era Vulgaris”. Front man Josh Homme was better than ever with his lengthy guitar solos and haunting high pitched voice. He sang songs from each album, trying to please the loyal fans who have listened for over a decade.

The Nokia Theatre is in full swing and is definitely worth a visit. The sound and view are both great; and tickets do not seem to be hard to get and are not unreasonably expensive. You can catch Tool and Bjork at the Nokia in December.