Queens of the Stone Age: 2025-2026 Tour, Health, & History

Josh Homme’s health crisis nearly derailed Queens of the Stone Age, but the band is now back on the road. Here’s a clear breakdown of what happened, what’s certain, and what’s still uncertain about their future.

Frontman: Josh Homme (BBC News) · 2024 cancellations: 8 European dates (Billboard) · 2025 Dublin support: Amyl & The Sniffers (Ticketmaster IE)

The table below shows six key facts that, taken together, reveal a single pattern: the band’s touring schedule has been shaped entirely by Homme’s health battle, with a clear recovery timeline emerging.

What happened to the lead singer of Queens of the Stone Age?

Josh Homme, the band’s frontman and founder, revealed in 2023 that he had undergone surgery for cancer the previous year (BBC News, UK public broadcaster). The illness resurfaced in 2024, forcing an emergency surgery that led to the cancellation of eight European shows in July 2024 (Billboard, music industry news). A further seven festival dates were scrapped later that month (Billboard). The implication: Homme’s personal health crisis directly dictated the band’s entire touring calendar for over a year.

Josh Homme cancer surgery recovery

• Homme said he spent about seven months in bed after the surgery (MetalSucks, metal news site)
• He was told recovery might take 18 months to two years (MetalSucks)
• He also cut back significantly on nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol (ABC News Australia, Australian public broadcaster)

How Homme’s health affected the band

The cancellations disrupted the 2024 touring cycle for the album In Times New Roman… (released in 2023). The band’s ability to return to the road depended entirely on Homme’s recovery. By 2025, Homme was well enough to announce European shows, including a Dublin date.

Why did Queens of the Stone Age cancel their tour?

On 9 July 2024, the band announced that eight European dates were cancelled because Homme had to return to the United States for emergency surgery (Billboard). The statement described it as an “emergency situation.” Less than three weeks later, seven festival appearances were also cancelled as Homme stayed under medical care (Billboard). The pattern: two distinct rounds of cancellations, each tied to Homme’s ongoing medical needs.

Emergency surgery cancellation

• Eight European shows in July 2024 cancelled (Entertainment Weekly, entertainment news outlet)
• Seven festival dates cancelled later in July 2024 (Billboard)

Partial tour cancellation for recovery

The cancellations were not a full-tour shutdown; the band intended to return after Homme’s recovery. Indeed, by 2025 they were booking new shows, including the Dublin date.

Who is supporting Queens of the Stone Age in Dublin?

The Dublin show, set for 20 August 2025 at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, originally billed Amyl & The Sniffers and So Good as support (Nova.ie, Irish radio station). However, Amyl & The Sniffers were later removed due to a scheduling conflict, and Cork band Cliffords stepped in alongside So Good (Nialler9, Irish music blog). The catch: fans who bought tickets for the original lineup got a different show.

Support act for Dublin 2025 show

• Original support: Amyl & The Sniffers + So Good (Hot Press, Irish music magazine)
• Revised support: Cliffords + So Good (Nialler9)

Amyl & The Sniffers details

Amyl & The Sniffers are an Australian punk band known for high-energy live shows. Their removal from the Dublin bill was a disappointment for some fans, but the replacement act Cliffords offers a local Irish flavour.

Will Queens of the Stone Age tour in 2026?

Yes. According to ABC News Australia (Australian public broadcaster), Homme was actively touring and giving interviews in 2026. WRAT (US radio station) also reported that Homme returned to touring after cancer treatment. Ticketmaster listings show the band is selling tickets for 2026 dates. The implication: the band is operational, but the long-term health trajectory remains the variable.

Current 2026 tour dates

• Multiple dates listed on primary ticket vendors (e.g., Ticketmaster, Songkick) – check official channels for the latest schedule
• Homme’s health appears stable enough to support a full touring schedule

Ticket availability and venues

Fans should monitor the band’s official website and Ticketmaster for updates. Venues range from arenas to outdoor amphitheatres.

What does QOTSA stand for?

QOTSA is a direct abbreviation of Queens of the Stone Age, the band’s full name. The acronym is used widely in concert listings, streaming platforms, and fan forums. The band’s official presence on Ticketmaster IE uses the full name, confirming the abbreviation.

Origin of the band name

The band’s name was chosen by Josh Homme, originally as a reference to the “stone age” sound of stoner rock, a genre the band helped define.

Common abbreviations

Fans and media frequently use “QOTSA” interchangeably with the full name. It is not an official acronym but a natural shortening.

Quotes from the band and key figures

“I had to have surgery again. It was emergency surgery. I was in the hospital for a while, and then I was in bed for seven months.”

— Josh Homme, speaking to MetalSucks

“The band is cancelling eight European dates due to an emergency situation involving Josh Homme.”

— Official statement from Queens of the Stone Age, covered by Billboard

“I cut back on a lot of things. Nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy, and alcohol – I cut back a lot.”

— Josh Homme, in an interview with ABC News Australia

For Dublin fans, the choice is clear: the show will go on with a new support act, but the uncertainty around Homme’s long-term health remains. The band is back, but the recovery journey is far from over.

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