The Foo Fighters have officially welcomed Ilan Rubin as their new drummer during a surprise concert at the Fremont Theater in California on March 16, 2024. This marks the band’s first performance since 2024 and the debut of Rubin, who has transitioned from Nine Inch Nails to join the iconic rock group. The concert, which drew an audience of 900 fans, featured a 25-song set that included rare performances of “Exhausted” and “Have It All,” songs not played live since 2014 and 2015, respectively.
During the event, frontman Dave Grohl introduced Rubin with enthusiasm. “Everybody else has said it, I finally get the opportunity to say, ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome, the most badass mother******, Ilan Rubin, is playing drums in the Foo Fighters. It’s official,” Grohl announced to the delighted crowd. The excitement surrounding this lineup change comes in the wake of the death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022.
In a reciprocal move, Josh Freese, who stepped in as the Foo Fighters’ drummer after Hawkins’ passing, has returned to Nine Inch Nails. Freese, who was part of Nine Inch Nails from 2005 to 2008, expressed his enthusiasm about rejoining the group led by Trent Reznor, stating on social media, “Being back on tour with Trent and the crew – helping them do what they do best night after night – is something I’m incredibly excited about.”
As the Foo Fighters embrace their new chapter, the band has also hinted at a future studio return. Their last album, But Here We Are, was released in 2023 and marked their first project without Hawkins. The band recently invited fans to “assemble” through social media, encouraging them to sign up for their newsletter for exclusive updates.
In a subsequent post, Grohl, along with bassist Nate Mendel and guitarist Pat Smear, shared a glimpse of their jamming sessions at Studio 606, their recording studio. This renewed activity suggests the Foo Fighters are gearing up for new music and exciting developments in their future.
With this lineup change and the return to the studio, fans eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for the Foo Fighters, as they continue to honor the legacy of their late drummer while forging new paths in their musical journey.
