Foo Fighters have once again proven that after three decades, they still know how to surprise their fans. Without warning, the band dropped a brand-new live EP titled Are Playing Where??? Vol. I, available exclusively on Bandcamp. The six-track collection captures the band in blistering form, recorded during a string of intimate club shows this fall that reminded everyone why they remain one of rock’s most enduring live acts.
But beyond the sonic fireworks, this release carries a bigger story: independence, community, and a renewed connection to their roots.
A Surprise Drop, And A Purpose
Released on October 3, 2025, Are Playing Where??? Vol. I landed quietly on, offered as a “pay what you want” download. Fans can stream it freely or contribute any amount they choose, with all proceeds going to local food charities in the cities where the shows were recorded.
It’s a refreshingly human gesture from a band that could easily fill stadiums every night — yet chose to record this EP in tiny venues, sweat dripping from the ceiling and amps crackling like it’s 1995 again.
“It’s about getting back to where it started, loud rooms, close crowds, and pure energy,” frontman Dave Grohl said in a brief statement. “These shows were chaos in the best way.”
Recorded In Clubs, Not Arenas
Each track on Vol. I was pulled from surprise September performances in small American clubs, including:
- Fremont Theater — San Luis Obispo, CA
- The Observatory — Santa Ana, CA
- Black Cat — Washington, D.C.
- Toad’s Place — New Haven, CT
These secret gigs were announced only hours in advance, with tickets vanishing in minutes. For many fans, they were once-in-a-lifetime nights: the Foo Fighters, up close, unleashing a career-spanning set for just a few hundred lucky attendees.
Tracklist, A Return To The Raw
The EP’s six tracks lean heavily on early Foo Fighters material, celebrating the ragged, urgent energy of their self-titled 1995 debut:
- Alone + Easy Target
- Exhausted
- Wattershed
- Weenie Beenie
- White Limo (from 2011’s Wasting Light)
- Winnebago (a rare early cut beloved by diehards)
Four songs from their first album anchor the release, making Are Playing Where??? Vol. I feel like a time capsule — a direct line back to Grohl’s first post-Nirvana recordings made on his own in a basement nearly thirty years ago.
The sound is raw, loud, and unfiltered — less “live album polish,” more “you’re in the room with us.” Grohl’s vocals snarl and crackle, guitars roar with joyful sloppiness, and the crowd noise bleeds perfectly into the mix.
Meet The New Drummer: Ilan Rubin Joins The Lineup
This EP also marks a significant chapter for Foo Fighters’ evolving lineup. It’s the first official release featuring Ilan Rubin on drums, the multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves, and Paramore.
Rubin joined the band earlier in 2025 following the departure of Josh Freese, who had been the group’s touring drummer since Taylor Hawkins’ tragic passing in 2022.
At the band’s San Luis Obispo show, Grohl introduced Rubin with a grin:
“The most badass motherf***er is playing drums in the Foo Fighters right now. It’s official.”
The chemistry is immediate, Rubin’s explosive precision complements Grohl’s unrelenting guitar attack, giving the older tracks new muscle without losing their grit.
Why Are Playing Where??? Vol. I Feels Important
A Return To Intimacy
Foo Fighters have spent the past decade headlining festivals and arenas. These small-room recordings rekindle the sweat-drenched magic of their earliest shows, capturing the band’s punk-spirited DNA.
A New Distribution Philosophy
Releasing the EP only on Bandcamp, with no label hype or streaming rollout, is a direct nod to the DIY ethic that defined Grohl’s beginnings. It’s music for the fans, not algorithms.
A Gesture of Goodwill
With all profits aiding local food charities, the band uses its platform to channel nostalgia into something tangible for struggling communities. It’s rock and roll with real-world resonance.
The “Vol. I” Mystery
The title all but confirms there’s more to come. Fans are already speculating that future volumes could document additional surprise shows, or even tour stops around the globe.
A Snapshot Of Foo Fighters’ Next Chapter
More than just a live EP, Are Playing Where??? Vol. I is a statement of purpose. It bridges the band’s past and present: Grohl’s basement-born beginnings, their massive mid-career highs, and their current evolution with Rubin behind the kit.
It’s unfiltered. It’s loud. It’s charitable. And it’s proof that Foo Fighters, even after 30 years, 11 albums, and countless sold-out tours, still care deeply about the soul of live rock.
In an era of digital perfection, Are Playing Where??? Vol. I celebrates imperfection, community, and connection. It’s a love letter to the fans who’ve been there since the first demo tape, and an invitation to everyone else to turn it up and remember what real bands sound like.
Leave a Reply