Foo Fighters are rewarding fans who didn’t get a chance to see them at four surprise club shows in recent weeks with a live EP, Foo Fighters – Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1, which is exclusively available now as a pay-your-own-price download for Bandcamp Friday. Accurately described as “six absolutely ripping live tracks recorded in front of dozens, possibly hundreds of lucky fans,” the EP consists of five songs from Foo Fighters’ beloved 1995 self-titled debut and one each from Wasting Light and One By One.

Foo Fighters are rewarding fans who didn’t get a chance to see them at four surprise club shows in recent weeks with a live EP, Foo Fighters – Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1, which is exclusively available now as a pay-your-own-price download for Bandcamp Friday.

Accurately described as “six absolutely ripping live tracks recorded in front of dozens, possibly hundreds of lucky fans,” the EP consists of five songs from Foo Fighters’ beloved 1995 self-titled debut and one each from Wasting Light and One By One.

Several cuts from the debut, such as “Winnebago” and “Exhausted,” hadn’t been performed since 2014, while “Weenie Beenie” had only been aired three times since then. They benefit greatly from the arrival of powerful new drummer Ilan Rubin, whose first show with the Foos was Sept. 13 in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Proceeds from Are Playing Where will benefit local charities combating food insecurity in cities where the Foos recently played, which also included Santa Ana, CA, Washington, D.C., and New Haven, CT. “And while you’re there, check out and support some other artists,” the band says. “Discover something new or rediscover some old favorites.”

Foo Fighters Surprise Fans with “Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1” — A Raw, Explosive Live EP That Recaptures the Band’s Early Fire

For the fans who couldn’t squeeze into the Foo Fighters’ four recent secret club shows, there’s some very good news — and a generous dose of Dave Grohl’s signature rock ‘n’ roll goodwill. The band has just dropped Foo Fighters – Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1, a surprise live EP now available exclusively on Bandcamp Friday as a pay-your-own-price download. It’s both a thank-you and a throwback — a roaring, unpolished document of the Foo Fighters doing what they do best: turning raw energy into transcendence.

The EP, which clocks in at just over 30 minutes, captures the ferocity and intimacy of those tiny, sweat-drenched shows that have become the stuff of instant legend. Described by the band as “six absolutely ripping live tracks recorded in front of dozens, possibly hundreds of lucky fans,” the collection blends youthful chaos and seasoned musicianship. It’s a time capsule that stretches back to 1995 and still somehow feels like the present.

A Gift for the Fans, the Foo Way

The concept behind Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 is as Foo Fighters as it gets: keep the spirit of live rock alive, reward the fans, and do it with heart. By releasing the EP through Bandcamp — and letting fans decide how much to pay — Grohl and company are doubling down on their long-standing philosophy of accessibility and authenticity. In an era of high-priced concert tickets and streaming algorithms, the Foo Fighters’ move feels like a refreshing blast of sincerity.

The title itself nods to the surprise nature of their recent run of intimate gigs. After selling out massive arenas all summer, the band quietly announced last-minute club appearances in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and London — venues so small that the Foo Fighters’ sound practically burst through the walls. Those lucky enough to attend described the shows as sweaty, euphoric, and reminiscent of the band’s earliest days when Grohl was still hauling gear into small clubs with his first batch of demos in hand.

A Journey Back to 1995

Half the EP — five of the six tracks — pulls from Foo Fighters’ 1995 self-titled debut, the album that started it all. From the thunderous “This Is a Call” to the fuzzed-out fury of “I’ll Stick Around,” these live cuts capture the same youthful urgency that once defined Grohl’s post-Nirvana rebirth. But now, nearly 30 years later, there’s a deeper weight to the performances.

Grohl’s voice, still a primal roar, carries shades of both nostalgia and endurance. You can almost hear the miles — the stages, the losses, the laughter — between the young man who played every instrument on that first record and the grizzled frontman who now commands stadiums. Taylor Hawkins’ absence still hangs like a quiet echo, but Josh Freese, the band’s current drummer, channels the spirit of those early days with precision and power.

The setlist is pure fan service, a lightning bolt of early Foo chaos. “Big Me” gets a slightly faster, punkier treatment; “Alone + Easy Target” hits harder than ever, its jagged edges unpolished and perfect. “Exhausted,” one of Grohl’s most underrated songs, closes the EP in smoldering fashion — its sprawling finale a reminder that even at their most chaotic, the Foo Fighters always find melody in the mayhem.

Wasting Light and One By One — Tying the Eras Together

In addition to the debut-era tracks, the EP also features a blistering rendition of “White Limo” from Wasting Light and a searing version of “All My Life” from One by One. Both choices make perfect sense.

Wasting Light (2011) was recorded analog in Grohl’s garage with producer Butch Vig — a deliberate return to the grit and warmth of tape, and a reaffirmation of the band’s commitment to authenticity. Playing “White Limo” live in a cramped club mirrors that same ethos — loud, unfiltered, and gloriously imperfect.

Meanwhile, “All My Life” remains the ultimate Foo Fighters live anthem. It’s a song built for arenas, yet in a club setting, it feels like a riot waiting to happen. The EP’s recording captures the band in full throttle, blurring the line between performer and audience as the crowd screams every word back.

The Spirit of Bandcamp Fridays

The choice to release Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 on Bandcamp Friday is no accident. Since 2020, the platform has been waiving its revenue cut on select Fridays to help artists earn more directly from their fans. For Foo Fighters — a band that’s long supported smaller acts, local record stores, and independent venues — this release fits perfectly with their ethos of giving back.

Grohl even hinted that Vol. 1 might just be the beginning. During one of the surprise shows, he reportedly teased fans with a grin: “Maybe we’ll do this again — call it Volume 2, 3, 4, who knows? Depends how loud you sing tonight.” That kind of direct fan engagement, both playful and heartfelt, is part of what’s made the Foo Fighters not just survivors of rock’s shifting landscape, but champions of its soul.

A Reminder of What Makes the Foos Great

In a world of overproduced pop and algorithmic playlists, Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 is a rare thing — loud, messy, and human. It’s the sound of a band that still believes in the communion of live music, the sweat on the walls, the ringing in your ears.

The EP isn’t just a collection of songs. It’s a snapshot of what happens when a group of rock veterans strip everything back and reconnect with the fire that started it all. You can feel the laughter between songs, the crowd’s disbelief at being that close, and Grohl’s grin when the band locks into a groove that threatens to shake the floorboards apart.

Nearly three decades after their debut, Foo Fighters continue to evolve without losing their roots. Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 proves that even in 2025, when technology threatens to sterilize the magic out of music, there’s still nothing more powerful than six people, six instruments, and the will to make a room explode.

And if this is just Volume 1, fans everywhere are already hoping — maybe even praying — that Volume 2 isn’t far behind.

Rock isn’t dead. It’s just playing where you least expect it.