QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE’s Josh Homme Cuts Himself Onstage With a Meat Cleaver During Austin Performance

Josh Homme appeared to intentionally draw blood onstage last night (November 18th) during Queens Of The Stone Age’s season-closing taping of Austin City Limits. Performing at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, Homme ran a meat cleaver across his neck mid-song, opening a cut that soon became visibly bloody. The moment can be briefly seen in fan-shot footage from the show.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Homme recently performed a similar stunt at another show, suffering a cut in nearly the same spot. Last night’s moment occurred during “Straight Jacket Fitting,” seemingly used as a theatrical accent to the song’s theme rather than a serious injury. By the end of the set, blood could be clearly seen down his chest.

Despite the shock factor, the injury was minor, and Homme completed the entire 17-song set without issue. The performance is slated to air as an hour-long PBS episode in early 2026.

Queens Of The Stone Age return to the stage tonight in Austin at the Bass Concert Hall before wrapping their current U.S. run on November 21st at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA.

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