American rock band Eagles of Death Metal made a surprise comeback on a Paris stage less than a month after their last concert was stormed by Islamist gunmen that opened fire on the audience. The group was invited to perform at the AccorHotels Arena by U2 who were playing the last of a series of gigs in in the French capital.
These are our brothers, our fellow troubadours, U2 frontman Bono told the crowd as he introduced Eagles of Death Metal towards the end of the concert. They were robbed of their stage three weeks ago, and we would like to offer them ours tonight.
The bands gave a joint rendition of Patti Smiths People Have The Power, and then Eagles of Death Metal sang their I Love You All The Time.
It was the first time they played live since the night of 13 November, when armed men killed 89 people at their concert at the Bataclan theatre in Paris. The band members survived the attack, although their merchandise manager was killed.
The attack was one of a coordinated series of shootings and bombings that left 130 people dead. It prompted the cancellation or postponement of a series of events, including two U2 concerts which the Irish band re-played on 6 and 7 December.
An Eagles of Death Metal appearance at one of the two gigs had been largely rumoured. The band has also expressed the desire to be the first to play at the Bataclan, when the concert hall reopens its doors.
