The sheet music takes a back seat. Listening becomes more important than any score. The cello finds its place between soaring guitar riffs and driving rock beats. A defining moment for classical cellist Lukas Raaflaub, who became a rock star for one unforgettable night with Queens of the Stone Age at the Baloise Session.
In the Backline Blog, the Basel-based musician shares how he prepared for this extraordinary performance in just a few weeks, why he had to abandon his classical mindset, and what it was like working behind the scenes with Josh Homme and his band. He talks about the remarkable versatility of the cello, reflects on goosebump-inducing moments, and explains why no playlist can ever replace the magic of live music.
For Lukas Raaflaub, classical music and rock are not opposites. “All musical genres share the same roots,” he says. Josh Homme, frontman of Queens of the Stone Age, adds: “I want to create something that’s different while still remaining myself.”
Go behind the scenes of one of the Baloise Session’s most captivating concerts and discover how music transcends boundaries, connects genres, and inspires artists to push beyond their limits. Watch the full interview now and experience how a classical cellist reinvented himself in the heart of rock ’n’ roll.