The night of November, Friday the 13th started off like any other night in Paris. Cheers erupted from the crowd at a football match at the Stade de France, watching teams France and Germany run up and down the field in a friendly game. The smell of exquisite dinner dishes and sweet pastries filled the air as people were out enjoying meals at restaurants, bars, and cafés. A different crowd was moving to the music at a rock show, The Eagles of Death Metal at The Bataclan.
The night took a dark turn, and Paris was the victim of a coordinated terrorist attack. Hundreds were hurt or lost their lives, and millions, if not billions of people were affected. The world was in shock.
American rock band Eagles of Death Metal was playing at The Bataclan to an audience of 1, 500 that night where concertgoers were held hostage, and many more fell victim to a mass shooting. A member of their crew, Nick Alexander died trying to save others in the theatre.
VICE has uploaded an interview with the band discussing the concert at The Bataclan, showing a new perspective of the horrific events and its emotional impact on the members.
Despite what happened at the show, this is not the end for Eagles of Death Metal. They plan to continue touring and return to Paris. Frontman Jesse Hughes is looking forward to playing another show at The Bataclan when it reopens, saying:
“I cannot wait to get back to Paris, I cannot wait to play, I wanna come back. I wanna be the first band to play the Bataclan when it opens back up. I was there when it went silent for a minute. Our friends went to see rock n’ roll, and died. I’m gunna go back there and live.”
Rock on.
Watch the interview here: