Eagles of Death Metal, the California band that was performing when gunmen stormed the Bataclan theater in Paris and killed 89 people last year, made an emotional and triumphant return to Paris on Tuesday night.
"Bonsoir, Paris, we're ready for this!" front man Jesse Hughes told the crowd at the Olympia concert hall before heading straight into the first song.
Tight security blanketed the theater for what Hughes promised would be "a regular rock show," France 24 News reported.
"Rock and roll for me has always been fun, and I am not going to let anyone take that away from me or my friends," he said, according to France 24.
Agence France-Presse reported that the group was greeted by a huge ovation when it took the stage about 9 p.m. (3 p.m. ET). Visibly moved, the band stood silently for a moment and, without saying anything, went into its opening song, "I Only Want You."
Related: Eagles of Death Metal Frontman Jesse Hughes Recounts Paris Terror Attacks
Then, halfway into the song, the band stopped, and drummer Josh Homme led the audience in a tribute to the victims of the Nov. 3 attack, AFP reported.
One man wounded at the Bataclan appeared at Tuesday's concert in crutches. Others overcame deep fears or depression to attend.
"After the attacks ... I felt apprehension even being at the movies," said Bataclan survivor Florian Novac. After seeing the security at Tuesday's concert, however, he said, "Now I'm not afraid, I am confident."
At another point during the show, Hughes held up a T-shirt with the slogan "I Really Wanna Be in Paris."
Hughes said in an interview Saturday with Sweden's TV4 that he refused "to let the bad guys win."
Those who didn't make it out of the theater alive "died very beautifully," Hughes said. "I just saw people doing some of the most beautiful things that a person can do. ... They died very well, with great courage."
