Eagles of Death Metal on Paris stage with U2
- Published
US rock band Eagles of Death Metal have appeared on stage in Paris, less than a month after deadly attacks during their performance in the French capital.
The band took to the stage to perform at the end of a U2 concert at the AccorHotels Arena.
"They were robbed of their stage three weeks ago and we would like to offer them ours tonight," said singer Bono.
Ninety of the 130 people who died in the 13 November attacks were killed at the concert at the Bataclan venue.
Bono embraced Eagles of Death Metal singer Jesse Hughes ahead of an emotional joint rendition of Patti Smith's People Have The Power.
EODM then performed I Love You All The Time.
An appearance by the Eagles of Death Metal at the 16,000-capacity arena had been heavily rumoured.
One concertgoer, Vera Golloch, told Agence France-Presse that everyone wanted to be at Monday's gig.
"It's historic and important, it really is," she said.
Remy Gardien, a software project manager from the Netherlands, was also in the audience. He told the BBC: "It was very special and quite emotional.
"The energy was amazing - everyone was clapping and cheering. You could see the bassist in tears and Larry the drummer. It meant something for a lot of people - the locals and the French.
"When they said their goodbyes (EODM) I also saw tears on their faces. It was quite a night. Everyone was without words. I won't easily forget it."
U2's concerts had been slated for 14 and 15 November but were rescheduled after the terrorist attacks.
The band reached out to Eagles of Death Metal in the aftermath, buying them mobile phones to replace the ones they had abandoned in the chaos at The Bataclan, and offering them the use of their private plane as they returned to the US.
Following Monday's gig, EODM singer Jesse Hughes offered his "heartfelt thanks and appreciation" to the Irish band.
"They reminded us that the bad guys never take a day off, and therefore we rock 'n rollers cannot either… And we never will," he said in a statement.
"We are incredibly grateful to U2 for providing us the opportunity to return to Paris so quickly, and to share in the healing power of rock 'n' roll with so many of the beautiful people - nos amis - of this great city.
"Thank you to France, and thank you to everyone in the world who continues to prove that love, joy, and music will always overcome terror and evil. We look forward to fighting the good fight on many more fronts very soon, especially when we pick up our tour in 2016. See you again in February, Paris."
EODM appeared at the second of U2's rescheduled shows at the AccorHotels Arena.
At the earlier show, on Sunday, Bono told the audience: "We stand together with the families of those killed in Paris," as the victims' names were projected on a huge video screen.
During the encore, Bono wrapped himself in a tricolour flag and sang a verse of Jacques Brel's Ne me quitte pas (Don't Leave Me).
Bono and guitarist The Edge both have houses in France. The Edge told CNN: "It seemed like the target [of the attacks] was culture and every kind of expression of the best of humanity - great music, restaurants, French food - everything that we hold dear."
- Published7 December 2015