Dave Grohl Relies on “No Cursing” Sign to Avoid Swearing On Stage in Abu Dhabi

Foo Fighters performed the closing concert at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, 26th November. The band’s setlist included all of their biggest hits, such as ‘All My Life’, ‘Learn to Fly’, ‘Times Like These’ and ‘Everlong’. What it didn’t include, however, was any cuss words out of the mouth of bandleader Dave Grohl, as Consequence reports.

Grohl was kept in line by a print-out throughout the show, which read, “NO CURSING”. Swearing is viewed as an obscene act in the United Arab Emirates, and anyone who swears in public risks jail time, deportation or a hefty fine.

Dave Grohl on not swearing: “I think that’s the first time ever”

Towards the end of the show, Grohl taped the “NO CURSING” sign to his microphone stand and expressed relief that he’d avoided uttering any F-bombs. “I think that’s the first time ever,” he said, per Consequence. Grohl also mused that the band’s departed drummer Taylor Hawkins “would have loved this.”

Foo Fighters will kick off their 2023 Australian tour tomorrow (29th November) at HBF Park in Perth. It’s been a busy period for the band, who’re touring the globe behind their 11th album, But Here We Are, which came out in June. They played eight shows in the UK in November before heading to Abu Dhabi for the one-off gig at Etihad Park.

Following Perth, Grohl and co. will travel to sports stadia in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Support acts for the tour include The Chats, Hot Milk, Teenage Joans, Body Type and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. Foo Fighters will return to this side of the planet in late January for a trio of gigs in Aotearoa, supported by The Breeders.

Foo Fighters 2023 Australian Tour

w/ The Chats (all except first Melbourne show) and Hot Milk (all except Perth and Adelaide), plus Teenage Joans (Perth), Body Type (Adelaide) and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers (Melbourne)

• Wednesday, 29th November – HBF Park, Perth WA
• Saturday, 2nd December – Coopers Stadium, Adelaide SA
• Monday, 4th December – AAMI Park, Melbourne VIC
• Wednesday, 6th December – AAMI Park, Melbourne VIC
• Saturday, 9th December – Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW
• Tuesday, 12th December – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane QLD

Tickets via Frontier

Further Reading

Dave Grohl and Greg Kurstin Have Returned for Their Chanukah Sessions

Billie Eilish Performs With Dave Grohl, Childish Gambino For ‘Hometown’ Performance

Extra Tickets to be Released for Foo Fighters’ 2023 Australian Tour