Eagles of Death Metal to play Paris in February

PARIS, France –  Eagles of Death Metal, the US rock band whose concert in Paris was attacked by jihadists in November, will play a new gig in the French capital in February, they said Wednesday, December 16.

The February 16 fixture will be the first in France by the Californian rockers since Islamist gunmen attacked the Bataclan concert venue on November 13, killing 90 people.  (READ: World mourns and condemns attacks in Paris)

The band’s merchandising manager, Nick Alexander, a 36-year-old Briton, was among the fatalities of the worst of several assaults that night in Paris, in which 130 people were killed and 350 wounded.

“The rescheduled trek – The Nos Amis Tour – will see the band set to finish the tour that was cut short by the tragic events of November 13th at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris,” the group said in a statement, adding that survivors of the Bataclan massacre would receive free ticket.

“Nos Amis” means “Our Friends” in French.

The concert will take place at the Olympia concert hall – the Bataclan is not rescheduled to reopen before late 2016 – and be followed by performances in the northern city of Lille and southern city of Nimes.

Eagles of Death Metal made an emotional return to the French capital earlier this month to join Ireland’s U2 on stage for a rousing rendition of Patti Smith’s “People Have The Power.” 

“The people of Paris have always been incredible to us, and our feeling of love towards this beautiful city and its people has been reinforced a million times over this past month,” Eagles’ frontman Jesse Hughes said in Wednesday’s statement.

“Not returning to finish our set was never an option. We look forward to coming back in February and continuing our mission to bring rock ‘n’ roll to the world.” – Rappler.com

More on the Paris attacks:

• Rockers in Paris attacks to return to US
• Over 128 killed, 180 injured in Paris attacks
• IN PHOTOS: November 13 Paris attacks
• ISIS claims Paris attacks
• The Bataclan theater in Paris: From music venue to killing ground
• U2 cancel Paris concert after attacks
• US band caught up in Paris attacks reported safe
• Witnesses tell of ‘bloodbath’ at Paris rock concert
• Shock, horror for 80,000 fans at Stade de France after Paris attacks
• French search for friends, shelter online after Paris attacks

Global, social media reactions

• New York’s Met Opera sings French anthem after attacks
• Music world in shock over Paris concert massacre
• World leaders condemn Paris attacks, vow to help
• Pope Francis on Paris attacks: ‘This is not human’
• Aquino: ‘Philippines stands shoulder to shoulder with France’
• ‘This time it’s war:’ French press react with horror to attacks
• World mourns and condemns attacks in Paris
• #PrayForParis, #Fusillade trends on Twitter amid Paris attacks
• Celebrities call for support, prayers for Paris