When Foo Fighters took their first careful steps back onstage in May 2023, it remained to be seen what the experience of their live performances would look and feel like - for the fans and surely for them, too. The earlier shows in particular bore the responsiblities of introducing newest band member Josh Freese (who'd been revealed earlier in a Veeps livestream, Preparing Music For Concerts), giving concert-goers the night of rock 'n' roll celebration they'd come for, and acknowledging the heaviness of the grief they carried with them. As they sought to find themselves again as a group, they accepted that "without Taylor, we know that we're going to be a different band going forward". So for the most part, fans were patient and supportive as the band navigated the first leg of their new journey.

Since then, Foo Fighters have toured around the US, Australia, the UK, and select festivals in Europe and Brazil, with the second stage of the tour offically titled the Everything or Nothing at All tour from May 1. The band introductions and covers segments were blended and condensed, with more focus on running through Josh's body of work. This quickly turned into a running gag at shows where, referring to Josh doing session work for Michael Buble, the band would attempt to play 'Haven't Met You Yet'. At first, Dave would garble the lyrics, ending with his own spin on it ("I just haven't fucked you yet"), which then became an audience participation opportunity where a fan would be pulled from the crowd to try their hand. The joke culminated in Buble himself showing up as a "super fan" at Outside Lands in 2023, finally showing how to do it right (although Dave couldn't help himself at the end!).

As the tour went on, they sought the comfort of more friends and special guests joining them, such as Shania Twain, Wolfgang Van Halen, Geezer Butler, Alanis Morissette, Patrick Wilson, Hayley Williams, and Pete Stahl. Violet Grohl and Shane Hawkins also appeared on a few occasions, sending love in their own ways to Taylor as well as Virginia Grohl. On the Australian and New Zealand leg, drum tech and hometown hero Fiona Jeans took the mic to lead them on a cover of AC/DC's 'Big Balls'.

Foo Fighters surprised everyone by debuting an as-yet-unreleased song 'Unconditional' at Emirates Old Trafford on June 13. Originally demo'd during home sessions years prior, a representative told media outlets that the band had rediscovered it in tour rehearsals and, after a single run-through, decided it deserved to be shared. At the time of posting, however, it had only been performed twice more, although of course we are hopeful that we'll hear it again.

The Everything or Nothing at All Tour has settled into a standard tour list, with variations here and here, particularly on two-night runs at the same venue. As they relax, they have treated us to some surprise opening songs - for example, 'Bridge Burning' (last played in Las Vegas in 2021) and 'The Teacher' (which usually begins the two-song encore). 'Statues' and 'Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners', songs that comprised the acoustic section of the Australian and New Zealand shows, made their way to the most recent shows in Concord and Los Angeles. 'Under You', which began its term in the setlist as it was played on But Here We Are, has been deconstructed into an acoustic solo for Dave - which, more often than not, he has struggled to perform.

Off road now: But Here We Are, the band's eleventh studio album, was honoured with three nominations in the 2024 Grammy Awards: Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song ('Rescued') and Best Rock Performance ('Rescued'). They ultimately did not win their categories this year, but these add to their total of 34 Grammy nominations throughout their career (winning 15).

Foo Fighters won Rock Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Awards in April.

Over in the UK, 'Everlong' became BRIT certified 3x Platinum on April 12, their first single to achieve this award. 'Big Me' was awarded Silver certification on March 29. 'Everlong' beats their previous BPI certification: 'Best of You', having been awarded 2x Platinum in 2023.

The tour saw their discography enjoying a spike in charts in several countries, with Essential jumping from #42 to #19 in the UK Official Charts in late June to herald their arrival for the UK dates. Forbes reported that the compilation is Foo Fighters' second-longest-running title in the UK charts. In addition, The Colour and the Shape returned to the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums charts as they began their second stack of US dates, peaking a quarter-century after its debut. Greatest Hits has also hopped up a few spots upon their return to the US. In February, 'Everlong' celebrated a full year at #1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart, a rare feat.

As for individual projects: Dave visited Scott Ian and Charlie Benante during their time at Studio 606 West and recorded a cover of Bad Brains' 'The Regulator', which had a limited vinyl release as part of Record Store Day, with proceeds going towards HR's healthcare needs. Epiphone partnered with Gibson to release a new run of DG-335 guitars at a lower price point. Dave appeared at the Do The Sweet Stuff fundraiser at the Belascola in Los Angeles, having a drum-off with (who else?) Chad Smith. Rami has contributed to the debut album by Fancy Gap as well as featuring on the Big Ol' Nasty Get Down's single 'All Together Now' and Steve Stagliere's 'Analog Sprite'. Chris Shiflett lent his fingers to old mates the Delta Riggs' single 'Built To Last' along with Sam Palladio's 'Tennessee'. Josh drums on the new Offspring single 'Make It All Right' and returned to play with A Perfect Circle for select dates during Foo Fighters' downtime. Both Josh and Dave guest-drummed on St. Vincent's latest work All Born Screaming. Nate Mendel, it was revealed by friend and collaborator Joe Wong that a follow-up to Lieutenant is in the works, with further information and a release date yet to be announced.

We end on news regarding the dearly departed Taylor Hawkins, via NHC bandmate Dave Navarro: A completed NHC album was in the can before Taylor passed away, and Dave would love to see it released. He mentioned on a podcast in 2023 that the goal was to release it last year, but for whatever reason, this didn't eventuate. We hope to bring you an announcement in the future.