Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has explained that his recent onstage defiance of Ford Field’s smoking ban was intended as a protest against what he sees as excessive corporate control at live events, rather than an endorsement of smoking. He said high parking and drink prices, along with venue restrictions, undermine the escapism audiences pay for.

At a Foo Fighters concert in Detroit earlier this month, Homme highlighted a reported $10,000 fine for smoking before lighting a cigarette and criticising corporations onstage. He later said the point was to unite people and “control fun” rather than focus on the smoking rule; QOTSA’s album *Perfecth* is due on 30 October, with the next North American tour leg beginning on 15 September in Regina.