Green Day’s surprise Coachella 2025 performance was one for the ages. They had the audience completely engaged the entire time with an 18-song set that spanned their lengthy discography. The performance took place in Indio, California, marking the iconic band’s first appearance at the renowned festival, where they showcased hits from their 1994 album Dookie to their latest release, Saviors, which was announced in the fall of 2023.
The set opened with a one, two, three punch of songs from their best selling 2004 album, American Idiot. This electrifying welcome laid the foundation for an amazing, high-energy, feel-good show. Green Day reunited the crowd with a solid mix of hit favorites. They did it all while seamlessly blending classic rock references into their electrifying performance. Starting with a raucous rendition of Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” a bunny-suited hype man energized the crowd and heralded the band’s arrival on stage.
The other big highlight of this incredible set was the live debut of “Look Ma, No Brains!” This song is from their recent release, Saviors. This new single was a clear hit with fans who have missed the band and their continued absence from the festival circuit. In order to stretch the creative boundaries of the performance, Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong completely rewrote lyrics on the fly to reflect present-day challenges.
“I’m not part of the MAGA agenda.” – Billie Joe Armstrong
The band performed a notable version of “Jesus of Suburbia,” which included the poignant line, “Running away from pain like the kids from Palestine.” These kinds of lyric changes highlighted Green Day’s intention to tackle pressing social issues in American society through their new music.
In an impressive showing of fan engagement, Green Day brought two concertgoers on stage with them while performing the song. One fan joined Armstrong to sing “Know Your Enemy,” while another was welcomed to play acoustic guitar during the closing number, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” This conversation proved to be a perfect example of the band’s deep-rooted relationship with their fanbase.
During the entire set, Green Day kept pairing the familiar with the surprising. A rendition of “Hitchin’ a Ride” teased the iconic riff from Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” while “Wake Me Up When September Ends” opened with a few bars from Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin.’” These awe-inspiring moments made for an unforgettable experience for attendees, while spotlighting Green Day’s incredible knack for merging nostalgia with forward-thinking artistry.
As the concert came to a close, excitement filled concertgoers. They didn’t want to miss out on any details of what Green Day was planning! The band’s performance at Coachella not only celebrated their legacy but introduced new music that promises to resonate with audiences for years to come.