Foo Fighters Reunite With Miner Trapped 14 Days Underground

When Brant Webb stepped onto the stage at York Park in Launceston, the 26,000-strong crowd erupted as Dave Grohl wrapped him in a huge hug.

It was the fulfillment of a promise made 18 years ago, when Webb and fellow miner Todd Russell spent 14 terrifying days trapped a kilometer underground after a mine collapse in Beaconsfield, Tasmania.

During those two weeks in darkness, the miners had one request to keep their spirits up. They asked for water and an iPod loaded with Foo Fighters music.

When frontman Dave Grohl heard about this halfway across the world, he was deeply moved. He immediately promised the pair beer and concert tickets once they made it out safely.

"It was such a huge and profound moment for me," Grohl told Saturday night's crowd. "It really hits home."

The reunion at the sold-out show marked Foo Fighters' first performance in Tasmania since 2015 and their first ever concert in Launceston. Fans took to social media to share their joy at witnessing the special moment.

"That's so cute," one concertgoer said in a video capturing the embrace. Others called it "amazing" and "special."

Why This Inspires

Music has always had the power to sustain us through dark times, but this story takes that truth literally. For Webb and Russell, Foo Fighters wasn't just entertainment during their ordeal. It was a lifeline, a connection to the world above, and a reminder that rescue was coming.

Grohl's decision to honor his promise nearly two decades later shows that some gestures of solidarity transcend the moment. He didn't forget the miners who found hope in his music when they needed it most.

The fact that 26,000 people gathered to witness this reunion speaks to our collective need for stories that remind us of our shared humanity. In a world that often feels divided, a rock star and a miner embracing on stage is a beautiful reminder that music connects us all.

Sometimes keeping a promise means everything.