NEWS: Last week, the Foo Fighters made their first show with their new drummer, Ilan Rubin, at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California. Rubin, formerly of Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves, is also the youngest living inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Foo Fighters Welcome Ilan Rubin with Surprise Show at Fremont Theater
Last week, Foo Fighters made a bold return to the stage — and ushered in a new era — by debuting Ilan Rubin as their drummer at an unannounced concert at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California. The intimate, 900‑capacity venue felt electric as fans and insiders witnessed what many are already calling a turning point in the band’s journey.The Surprise Announcement
The show was revealed only one day ahead, heightening anticipation and turning ticket-buying into a spontaneous pilgrimage. Early in the morning of the concert date, tickets went on sale in person at the Fremont Theater box office, with strict rules: buyers needed physical ID, and purchases were limited to two per person.
Fans lined up overnight for a chance to be part of the moment. With such a small venue and late announcement, the audience was composed of diehard supporters who had acted quickly.A Long-Awaited Return
This show marked Foo Fighters’ first performance since 2024 and their first in 2025, making the moment doubly symbolic. For the band, it was an opportunity to quietly but confidently reintroduce themselves, beginning a fresh chapter after a period of transition.Debut of Ilan Rubin
Rubin—formerly of Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves, and other projects—was officially welcomed onstage by frontman Dave Grohl, who did not mince words. “Everybody else has said it,” Grohl proclaimed, “I finally get the opportunity to say, *‘Ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome… the most badass motherf—er, Ilan Rubin, is playing drums in the Foo Fighters right now. It’s official. You can stamp the passport.’”
Rubin himself later addressed the moment on social media, describing the performance as “such an incredible release of energy.” He thanked fans for their support and hinted at the excitement ahead: “I’ve been taken aback by all the positivity and support … Excited for all the volume and sweat that lies ahead.”
It’s worth noting that Rubin holds a distinctive place in rock lore: when inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of Nine Inch Nails, he became the youngest living inductee — a testament to both his talent and longevity in the industry.The Set & Musical Moments
Over the course of 25 songs, Foo Fighters tracked a wide chronology of their catalog, demonstrating confidence in both deep cuts and beloved anthems. They opened with “All My Life” and navigated through eras with tracks like “This Is a Call,” “Wattershed,” “The Pretender,” “My Hero,” “Learn to Fly,” “Everlong,” “Monkey Wrench,” and others.
Some of the more surprising inclusions were songs that had rarely been played live in recent years—or not at all for a long time—for example “Exhausted,” a track from Foo Fighters’ earliest days, and “Alone + Easy Target,” which hadn’t been performed since 2018. Also, tracks like “Have It All” resurfaced after long absences, adding to the richness and nostalgia of the night.
The show demonstrated that Rubin is not simply filling a slot; he’s diving into the band’s history and contributing to their sonic identity from the first night.The Drummer Swap & Context
Rubin joins the Foo Fighters following the departure of Josh Freese, who had served as drummer for the band since 2023 after the tragic death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022. In May 2025, Freese publicly revealed that the band had informed him they were “going in a different direction with their drummer,” a decision that left him surprised and shaken.
In an interesting twist, the two drummers seem to be swapping roles: Freese is slated to rejoin Nine Inch Nails for their “Peel It Back” tour, while Rubin leaves NIN to take up the drum stool in Foo Fighters. Music publications have characterized the development as a “drummer swap.”
Rubin’s induction into Foo Fighters also reaffirms his stature in rock circles. His time with NIN (beginning circa 2008) and with Angels & Airwaves, plus his multi-instrumental abilities and studio work under “The New Regime,” give him a breadth of experience.What’s Next
The Fremont Theater show was just the beginning. Foo Fighters followed it with a second surprise show at the Observatory in Santa Ana the very next night, employing the same tight ticketing rules. Beyond the U.S., the band plans a set of international dates in October and November, including shows in Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, and Mexico.
Earlier in 2025, Foo Fighters began teasing this “next era.” In July, they released a new single, “Today’s Song,” marking their first new music since 2023’s But Here We Are. In early September, the band posted a mysterious image of six pairs of feet in a circle, captioned, “Foo Fighters Assemble!!!” followed by a nudge to sign up for their newsletter for “info you won’t want to miss.”
Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how Rubin shapes the Foos’ sound going forward. That said, his confident start and the band’s bold approach to this transition suggest that the next chapter may be among their most energetic yet.
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