Concrete and Gold is the ninth studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on September 15, 2017, through Roswell and RCA Records. It is the band's first album to be produced alongside Greg Kurstin. Described by the band as an album where "hard rock extremes and pop sensibilities collide", Concrete and Gold concerns the future of the United States from the viewpoint of the band's frontman and lead songwriter Dave Grohl, with the heated atmosphere of the 2016 elections and the presidency of Donald Trump cited as major influences by Grohl. Juxtapositions serve as a common motif in both the album's lyrical and musical composition, with Grohl further describing the album's overall theme as "hope and desperation".
First edition cover art
Dave Grohl performing with a broken leg on the Sonic Highways World Tour.
The political atmosphere surrounding the presidency of Donald Trump was cited as an influence on Concrete and Gold's lyrics.
Image: Justin Timberlake V Festival 2014 05 (cropped)
Foo Fighters are an American rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. Founded as a one-man project by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, the lineup now consists of Grohl, Nate Mendel (bass), Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear (guitars), Rami Jaffee (keyboards), and Josh Freese (drums). Drummers William Goldsmith and Taylor Hawkins, along with guitarist Franz Stahl, are former members of the band.
Foo Fighters at Glastonbury Festival 2023. From left: Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Josh Freese and Pat Smear.
Dave Grohl (pictured in 2019) founded Foo Fighters after his band Nirvana disbanded in 1994.
Foo Fighters performing at Phoenix Festival in 1996
Long-time drummer Taylor Hawkins (pictured in 2017) joined the band in 1997.