According to Consequence.net, while opening for Foo Fighters at the 65,000-capacity stadium on August 6th, the Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme took issue with the venue’s smoking policy by telling the crowd that the band had been warned it could face $10,000 penalty for smoking backstage. According to Metro Times, Homme also complained that the band had been forced to wander through the stadium looking for somewhere they were actually allowed to smoke.
Ford Field is a smoke-free facility, with smoking and vaping prohibited throughout the stadium, including its seating areas, lounges, bars, suites and other indoor spaces. The venue reiterated its policy specifically for Thursday’s Foo Fighters show. By the end of Queens of the Stone Age’s set, Homme appeared to have decided the potential price was worth it. Before closing with “A Song for the Dead,” he launched into a speech encouraging the audience not to let corporations dictate their behavior.
“Don’t let these fuckin’ corporate assholes tell you what to do, do whatever the fuck you want,” Homme said. “Fuck that shit. You paid for parking, and you’re paying for overpriced drinks, these fucking scalpers. Fuck having some corporation tell you what the fuck to do, you guys do what you want!” He then added, “And fuck Flock cameras too,” before lighting cigarette onstage. At this time, it not has not been reported if Queens of the Stone did receive the $10,000 fine.
Photo Credit: Brandy Hornback
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