Queens of the Stone Age performed with their former bassist Nick Oliveri for the first time since 2014 during a show in Joshua Tree, California. The reunion took place on April 24 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, where Oliveri joined for vocals on 'Auto Pilot' from the band's 2000 album Rated R. Frontman Josh Homme introduced him warmly to the crowd.
On Friday night, April 24, Queens of the Stone Age took the stage at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center in Joshua Tree, California. Nick Oliveri, who played bass for the band from 1998 to 2004, made a surprise appearance, marking the first live collaboration since a 2014 show in Portland. Homme introduced Oliveri as 'one of the people that I love dearly' before they performed 'Auto Pilot' together. Fan footage of the moment has circulated online. Oliveri contributed to key albums including Rated R in 2000 and Songs for the Deaf in 2002, and he previously played with Homme in Kyuss. He provided backing vocals on 'If I Had a Tail' from the band's 2013 album …Like Clockwork. Oliveri left the group in 2004 amid reports of aggressive fan interactions and later domestic abuse allegations. In 2022, Oliveri reflected on his departure, stating that their intense five-year collaboration had 'run its course.' He noted that he and Homme had 'burned out on each other' but remained friends, adding, 'It took some time to heal over some things, and for him too.' Oliveri released solo compilations N.O. Hits at All Vols. 8 and 9 in 2024. Queens of the Stone Age are set to open for Foo Fighters on a North American stadium tour this year, with dates in cities including Toronto, Detroit, and Las Vegas.
