The Foo Fighters are back—and sooner than anyone expected. Late last night, the band announced that they would return to the stage tonight (Sept. 13) with an intimate, one-off performance at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California. The 900-capacity venue will host their first show in more than a year, and their first with drummer Ilan Rubin, who has stepped in following the departure of Josh Freese.
It also marks their first official concert since frontman Dave Grohl’s personal life hit headlines earlier this year, when he confirmed he had fathered a child outside of his marriage—a revelation that paused the band’s touring plans.
Grohl’s Year of Surprise Cameos
Although the band itself has been on the sidelines, Grohl hasn’t stayed away from the spotlight. Over the past year he’s popped up at a string of major events, from FireAid and SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (where he shared the stage with his former Nirvana bandmates) to Coachella, where he performed alongside conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
He’s also made unannounced appearances at shows by Kim Deal in London and Chevy Metal in Agoura Hills, and even took on an LCD Soundsystem cover at a spring benefit for Oakwood School in Los Angeles.
For the Foo Fighters themselves, 2025 has been a milestone year—their 30th anniversary—and they’ve quietly released new music along the way, including a cover of Minor Threat’s “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” and an original track titled “Today’s Song.”
While rehearsal photos on social media hinted that something might be brewing, fans largely believed the band’s official comeback would take place on October 2 at Carnaval Ancol in Jakarta, Indonesia. Tonight’s California club gig, then, comes as a genuine surprise.
Ticketing Rules: What Fans Need to Know
Tickets for the show are being sold in person only at the Fremont Theater box office starting this morning at 8 a.m. PT, with lines permitted no earlier than 7 a.m. PT. At just $30 per ticket, demand is expected to be intense.
The venue has also put some strict rules in place:
- No advance sales and no online purchases—you must buy tickets at the box office.
- The buyer must present a physical ID and a physical credit or debit card at purchase; cash, contactless, or digital payments won’t be accepted.
- There is a two-ticket limit per person, and the name on the ID must match the ticket order.
- If two tickets are purchased, both attendees must enter together at the show.
- Doors open at 5 p.m. PT, with entry requiring the same ID used at purchase.
- The event is general admission standing, with limited first-come seating in the back.
- Venue rules ban re-entry once you’ve gone inside, and only very small bags (4.5”x6” or smaller) are permitted. Cameras, gum, Sharpies, and outside food or drinks are also prohibited.
Why San Luis Obispo?
Choosing San Luis Obispo for their live return is in keeping with Foo Fighters tradition. Over the years, the band has favored intimate venues and surprise appearances when testing out new lineups or material before bigger tours. The Fremont Theater, with its art deco design and limited capacity, offers both nostalgia and exclusivity—exactly the kind of place where die-hard fans can witness history up close.
What Comes Next
After tonight’s warm-up, Foo Fighters are still scheduled to head to Indonesia in October, where they’ll reportedly have special permission to swear and drink onstage—a rarity given local restrictions. With a new drummer behind the kit and fresh songs in the setlist, the show in Jakarta will mark the official start of a new touring chapter.
For now, though, all eyes are on San Luis Obispo. Fans willing to line up early, brave the strict box office rules, and squeeze into a 900-person theater are about to see Foo Fighters turn a low-key Friday night into one of the year’s most talked-about live comebacks.