Green Day’s explosive return to Coachella electrified the Empire Polo Club on Saturday night, delivering a set packed with punk anthems and a few unexpected twists. Taking the stage at:0 PM, Billie Joe Armstrong and crew wasted no time, launching into “American Idiot” and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The setlist was a rollercoaster through Green Day’s storied career, featuring festival staples like “Holiday,” “Know Your Enemy,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and “Basket Case.” Fans sang along to every word, with “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” becoming a massive singalong moment under the desert sky.
But it was the surprise cover of Operation Ivy’s “Knowledge” that truly set the night apart. Armstrong brought a fan onstage to join the band, turning the classic into a punk rock celebration and leaving the audience buzzing. The band also paid homage to their influences, playing taped intros of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” before diving into their own hits.
Green Day’s set closed with the emotional “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” capping off a night that reminded everyone why the band remains a festival favorite after three decades. The energy, nostalgia, and surprises made their Coachella performance one for the ages.
