Earlier today (May 21), Foo Fighters took to the internet to announce that Josh Freese will be stepping in as their drummer. He will follow in the footsteps of the late great Taylor Hawkins who tragically passed at the age of 50 last year. The band made the announcement during a live stream that featured the band rehearsing for their 2023 tour which is set to kick off this Wednesday (May 24) at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion.
Freese is a well-known session musician who has recently been performing with the Offspring. He has also contributed to recent releases from the likes of M83 and 100 Gecs along with being a frequent flier on Devo’s live lineup along with tour credentials that range from Danny Elfman to Weezer – he recently got pulled off of Elffmans 2023 shows.
Foo Fighters welcomed Freese to the band with a humorous intro to their “Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concerts” live stream. The band teased watchers with the likes of Chad Smith, Tommy Lee, and Danny Carey making cameos before the camera pans over Freese waiting patiently to start rehearsing.
Glide had the pleasure of speaking with Josh Freese in 2021 where he touches on his relationship with the road. “I’ve been touring since I was sixteen” started Freese, who had just released his solo album, Just A Minute Vol. 1 at the time. “The thing about being a freelancer is that you never have to make a definitive decision about stopping or retiring.” Two years later, Freese seems to show no signs of slowing down. You can read the full conversation here.
Foo Fighters will be making their way around the globe with the new lineup as the band has their sites set on shows at Boston Calling, Bonnaroo, and the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival. They will be making solo stops in cities like Washington D.C., Spokane, Washington, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Foo Fighters will also have dates in Canada and overseas.
You can check out their full 2023 schedule below.
05/24 – Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
05/26 – Boston, MA @ Boston Calling
05/28 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple
05/30 – Washington, DC @ The Atlantis
06/02 – Nürburgring, DE @ Rock am Ring
06/04 – Nürnberg, DE @ Rock im Park
06/14 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
06/16 – Pelham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
06/18 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music Festival
07/08 – Quebec City, QC @ Festival D’ete De Quebec
07/12 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest
07/15 – Milwaukee, WI @ Harley Davidson Homecoming
07/29 – Naeba, JP @ Fuji Rock
08/04 – Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
08/08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre
08/10 – Stateline, NV @ Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s
08/11-13 – San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
09/03 – Aspen, CO @ Aspen Snowmass
09/09 – São Paulo, BR @ The Town
09/17 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Sear.Hear.Now Festival
09/19 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach *
09/21 – Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival
10/01 – Dana Point, CA @ Ohana Festival
10/03 – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater
10/05 – El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
