In a move that’s pure Foo Fighters—raw, unannounced, and packed with adrenaline—the band just dropped a blistering live EP that captures the sweat-soaked magic of their recent secret club gigs. Titled Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1, this six-track firebomb hit Bandcamp on October 3, 2025, right in time for Bandcamp Friday. It’s not just a release; it’s a high-octane thank-you to the diehards who packed tiny venues for rarities that haven’t seen daylight in over a decade.
Dave Grohl’s crew, now locked in with powerhouse drummer Ilan Rubin behind the kit, has been teasing fans with cryptic socials and one-day-notice shows since September. This EP distills those electric nights into pay-what-you-want audio gold, with all proceeds funneling to local food insecurity charities in the host cities. If you’re craving that intimate, pre-stadium roar of early Foo Fighters energy, this is your portal back to 1995—updated for 2025’s relentless drive.
From deep cuts off their self-titled debut to a snarling “White Limo,” Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 is a reminder: The Foos aren’t slowing down. They’re just getting louder. Dive in with us as we break down the tracks, the backstory, the fan explosion, and what this means for the band’s next chapter. Everlong? More like endless.
The Drop: Release Details and Where to Stream Foo Fighters’ Live EP
No fanfare, no rollout—just a Bandcamp link and a knowing wink. Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 dropped exclusively on the platform, embracing that DIY spirit Grohl’s championed since Nirvana days. Recorded across four intimate 2025 pop-ups, it’s available as a name-your-price download (or stream for free), making it accessible to every garage rocker worldwide.
The EP clocks in at a tight 25 minutes of live fury, captured in venues that hold hundreds, not tens of thousands. Proceeds? Straight to hunger-fighting orgs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Ana, D.C., and New Haven—because Foo Fighters don’t just play; they give back. Head to Foo Fighters’ Bandcamp now, slap down a buck (or ten), and crank it. This isn’t polished studio fare; it’s beer-soaked, crowd-surfing proof that rock lives in the small rooms.
For those who missed the gigs, it’s cathartic. For those who were there? A sweaty souvenir that hits harder than a “Monkey Wrench” riff.
Track-by-Track Breakdown: Rarities and Rips from Foo Fighters’ Club Nights
What makes Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 a killer? It’s a love letter to the Foo Fighters’ scrappy roots, dusted off and supercharged by Rubin’s thunderous beats. Five tracks hail from their explosive 1995 self-titled debut—songs that built the band’s legend—and one from 2011’s Wasting Light. These aren’t your festival staples; they’re the B-sides and deep cuts that reward the obsessives.
Here’s the full tracklist, with notes on each gem:
| Track | Album Origin | Live Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Alone + Easy Target | Foo Fighters (1995) | Last played in 2018—Grohl’s snarling vocals cut through the haze like a chainsaw. Rubin’s fills add modern bite. |
| 2. Exhausted | Foo Fighters (1995) | A 2014 resurrection; this one’s all frantic energy, channeling that post-grunge fury. Crowd goes feral. |
| 3. Wattershed | Foo Fighters (1995) | Debut-era chaos—short, sharp, and soaked in distortion. Feels like a secret handshake for ’90s kids. |
| 4. Weenie Beenie | Foo Fighters (1995) | Only aired three times since 2014; punky riffage that could’ve been a Ramones cover. Pure adrenaline dump. |
| 5. White Limo | Wasting Light (2011) | The lone non-debut pick—filthy, fun, and featuring Lemmy’s ghost in the bass growl. Stadium-sized swagger in a club. |
| 6. Winnebago | Foo Fighters (1995) | Revived after an 11-year hiatus; Grohl’s howl over churning guitars—nostalgia with fresh fire. |
Stream it loud: These recordings thump with venue reverb, crowd cheers bleeding into the mix for that authentic “you are there” rush. It’s the Foo Fighters at their most unfiltered—proof that even after 30 years, they can still make a 300-cap room feel like the end of the world.
From Hiatus to Hideouts: The Surprise Gigs Behind the EP
Foo Fighters’ 2025 has been a whirlwind of reinvention. After Taylor Hawkins’ heartbreaking 2022 passing, But Here We Are (2023) dropped as a raw elegy—their first without him. Josh Freese stepped in as interim drummer, but by early 2025, the band tapped Nine Inch Nails’ Ilan Rubin for the long haul. (Freese? He bounced to NIN—rock’s ultimate game of musical chairs.)
Rubin’s baptism by fire? A no-warning September 13 gig at San Luis Obispo’s 900-cap Fremont Theater—the Foos’ first show in a year. Twenty-five songs, including “Everlong” and “My Hero,” plus those debut rarities that had fans losing their minds. The pattern repeated: One-day notice for Santa Ana’s Observatory (Sept. 16), D.C.’s Black Cat (late Sept.), and New Haven’s Toad’s Place (early Oct.). Each packed to the rafters, announced via cryptic Insta stories like “Foo Fighters Assemble!!!”
Dave Grohl teased more “tricks up our fuckin’ sleeves” onstage, hinting at these as warm-ups for their Asian tour kickoff in Jakarta (October 2) and a Formula 1 Singapore set (October 4). No massive arenas yet—just pure, unadulterated rock in sweatboxes. This EP bottles that lightning, turning whispers of shows into worldwide roars.
Foo Fighters’ Legacy: Why This EP Reignites Their Unkillable Fire
Thirty years post-debut, Foo Fighters remain rock’s everymen—polished pros who never forgot the basement. Over 30 million albums sold, Grammys stacked like firewood, and a Rolodex of collabs from Joan Jett to St. Vincent. But it’s the surprises that keep them vital: The 2019 archival 00950025 EP for their 24th anniversary, fan-story vaults, and now this Bandcamp blitz.
Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 isn’t filler; it’s a bridge from But Here We Are‘s grief to whatever’s next. With Rubin locking in the groove, expect fireworks on tour. It’s also a nod to resilience—Grohl’s band has weathered Hawkins’ loss, lineup shifts, and a pandemic hiatus without missing a beat. In an industry of algorithms, they remind us: Rock thrives on the unexpected.
This EP cements it: Foo Fighters aren’t chasing trends. They’re setting them, one secret show at a time.
Fan Frenzy and Social Storm: The World Loses It Over the EP
Socials are ablaze—fans who snagged tickets are reliving the chaos, while others mourn the FOMO. “Just streamed Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1—feels like I was in the pit at Fremont. Ilan kills it!” one user raved. Another: “Foo Fighters dropping rarities on Bandcamp? Charity tie-in? Legends never quit.”
Outlets like Pitchfork called it “ripping tracks from dozens of lucky fans,” while SPIN hailed the “absolutely ripping” vibe. Revolver’s got setlist breakdowns from the gigs, and Stereogum spotlights the charitable angle. Spanish buzz from dod Magazine translates the hype globally. Even as the band jets to Asia, the conversation’s electric: Will there be a Vol. 2? More vaults? The comments sections scream yes.
What’s Next for Foo Fighters? Tours, Teases, and Tour Dates
This EP’s no endpoint—it’s a spark. Fresh off Jakarta, they’re slamming Singapore’s F1 Grand Prix on October 4, then a full Asian run through November. North American stadiums loom in 2026, with whispers of new music (that “Today’s Song” tease from earlier this year still lingers).
Grohl’s hinted at more pop-ups: “We’ve got plans.” Rubin’s integration? Seamless, per fan vids of his kit-smashing prowess. Could this lead to a rarities box set or doc? Bet on it. For now, snag the EP, blast “Weenie Beenie,” and raise a glass to the band that turns heartbreak into hooks.
Final Breakdown: Foo Fighters’ Live EP Is Rock’s Best-Kept Secret—No More
Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1 is Foo Fighters distilling three decades of sweat into six tracks of glory—intimate, incendiary, and impossible to ignore. It’s the sound of a band reborn, rarities revived, and fans fed (literally, via charity). In a year of comebacks, this surprise drop proves: The Foos are forever. What’s your favorite deep cut here? Hit the comments—let’s riff.
Stream it on Bandcamp here today. Long live rock.
FAQs: Everything About Foo Fighters’ ‘Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1’ Live EP
When did Foo Fighters release ‘Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1’? October 3, 2025—exclusively on Bandcamp for Friday’s pay-what-you-want event.
What’s on the tracklist?
- Alone + Easy Target (Live)
- Exhausted (Live)
- Wattershed (Live)
- Weenie Beenie (Live)
- White Limo (Live)
- Winnebago (Live)
Where were the recordings from? Surprise 2025 club shows: Fremont Theater (San Luis Obispo, CA), The Observatory (Santa Ana, CA), Black Cat (D.C.), Toad’s Place (New Haven, CT).
Who’s the new drummer on the EP? Ilan Rubin (ex-Nine Inch Nails)—his debut with the band was at the first surprise gig.
Do proceeds go to charity? Yes—all to local food insecurity nonprofits in the gig cities.
Are Foo Fighters touring soon? Yes: Asian dates now (Jakarta Oct. 2, Singapore F1 Oct. 4), more globally in 2026.
READ MORE….
New Foo Fighters EP ‘Are Playing Where ??? Vol. 1’ @RockNews
