Eagles of Death Metal in surprise show to mark Bataclan attack

Two members of Eagles of Death Metal, the US rock band who were on stage at the Bataclan during the Paris attacks two years ago, played a brief concert nearby yesterday to mark the second anniversary of the massacre.

Singer Jesse Hughes and guitarist Dave Catching appeared at an event in the French capital organised by survivors of the attack, in which 90 people died after gunmen burst into the hall and opened fire.

The pair sang two of the group’s songs, Save a Prayer and I Love You All The Time, before throwing white roses to the crowd outside the town hall of the city’s 11th district, a short walk from the venue where French president Emmanuel Macron had led a ceremony to remember the victims. Hughes was turned away from the Bataclan when it reopened last year for suggesting the venue’s security guards were in on the attack.

The right-wing rocker said, without evidence, that Muslims had celebrated outside the hall during the siege. His provocative remarks led to two French festivals cancelling appearances by the band last summer.