Another month, another batch of dispatches from our favorite genre — and, as usual, rock doesn’t disappoint. If you were expecting the usual snooze-fest, sorry to burst your bubble: we’ve got bands unearthing tracks from 2008, bands postponing shows last minute, and undeniable proof that, behind all the glamour, some folks just want a nap.
The Last-Minute Curse: Rush and Their Strategic Pauses
Rush, that band we all love and know will still be playing in 50 years, decided to give us a scare. Ultimate Classic Rock reported they postponed shows at the eleventh hour. “Postponements” is the official word, but we all know that means “something went sideways.” No elaborate explanation, of course. Just a heads-up that the machine won’t be running as planned. We get it, but it begs the question: did Neil Peart forget his drumsticks at home? Or did Geddy Lee lose his bass? We’ll never know the deets, but the fact is, the rockstar life is sometimes just a series of canceled appointments.
QOTSA: Unearthing Sonic Corpses and Playing to (Almost) Nobody
Speaking of surprises, Queens of the Stone Age decided it was time to shake things up. Josh Homme’s band, who we know isn’t afraid to get weird, decided to resurrect “Run, Pig, Run” on stage for the first time in 18 years. Yeah, that one from Era Vulgaris, back in ‘07. Suddenly, a track gathering dust in the discography’s basement became a hit again. And it didn’t stop there: “The Fun Machine Took A Shit And Died” also made an appearance, after disappearing for over a decade. It’s Josh Homme sending an “I told you so” to anyone who thought the more obscure tracks wouldn’t get their moment in the sun.
The Secret Lives of Stars: Naps and Sincere Arrogance
While some resurrect hits and others postpone tours, we discover that backstage is far more mundane. Zara Larsson, not a rock star but illustrating the point perfectly, has an infallible trick for a sneaky nap amidst her packed schedule: “I have to take this call” and she vanishes into the bathroom. It’s the pop version of the rockstar who just wants some peace. Then you’ve got Mikkey Dee, from Motörhead and Scorpions, who became an interview subject in Kerrang! confessing that, initially, he turned down Motörhead because he “hadn’t earned his stripes yet.” Now that’s the kind of humble-arrogance we respect: the guy knows he’s good, but he’s also honest about his own process.
At the end of the day, whether it’s postponing shows, digging up old hits, or confessing secret nap addictions, rock in 2026 continues to be the same rollercoaster of expectations and realities. And we’re still here, front row, waiting for the next curve.