Queens Of The Stone Age bring a sexed-up slice of the California desert to rainy west London. According to Chris Lo, they’ve never been better.

“Hello, home from home,” says Josh Homme, swaggering around his mike after set opener Turnin’ On The Screw. “It seems like only yesterday that we saw you last.” The rapturous crowd is blissfully unaware of how close this show came to cancellation, after Homme was struck with bronchitis.

It’s to his credit that he’s marched out under the Hammersmith lights with all his usual thrusting abandon. And tonight, in sickness and in health, the Queens make sweet, filthy love to our ears.

Tonight’s set serves as a potent reminder of several facts about QOTSA. Firstly, this ain’t the Josh Homme Experience – this band play tighter than U2. Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen and bassist Michael Shuman jerk spasmodically around the stage while somehow managing to hit every note. Joey Castillo, the drummer, pounds the snare with a gorilla’s muscular efficiency.

We’re also reminded of just how varied QOTSA’s catalogue is. They skim over material from their past four albums, and each brings a unique atmosphere to the Apollo. Rated R takes us on a hazy trip through the back streets of LA before Era Vulgaris transforms this Hammersmith venue into a debauched dance floor.

It’s a testament to the strength of the songs that the band can leave out their two biggest hits (No one Knows and Lost Art of Keeping A Secret) and still have their set sound so definitive. Get well soon, Josh – we’ll miss you while you’re gone.