Green Day Ignites Coachella—Literally
- Chris Collett
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
Coachella 2025 got hotter than anyone expected during Green Day’s headlining set—thanks to a rogue firework that turned a palm tree into an inferno.
During their April 12 performance at the Empire Polo Club, the punk rock icons brought the fire both musically and, unintentionally, physically. As the band launched into one of their explosive anthems, a misfired firework zipped into the artist section, sparking a palm tree and lighting up the sky (and the crowd’s nerves) in a very unplanned way.
Security acted quickly, and the blaze was extinguished without injuries—but not before phones were out and the moment went viral. Welcome to the most punk-rock way to say “we’ve arrived” at Coachella.
Political Punk With a Pyro Problem
Green Day’s Coachella debut wasn’t just about greatest hits and new tracks from Saviors—they also took aim at the current political climate. Billie Joe Armstrong altered lyrics in “American Idiot” and “Jesus of Suburbia” to throw jabs at Trump and shine light on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
While their message resonated with many, the firework incident didn’t land so well with others. Critics pointed out the recklessness of pyrotechnics in a region all-too-familiar with devastating wildfires. A fire hazard wrapped in activism? It’s the most Green Day thing to ever happen.
Still Kings of Chaos
Despite the literal flames, the set was a love letter to their legacy. Classics like “Holiday,” “Basket Case,” and “When I Come Around” met fresh energy from Saviors favorites like “Bobby Sox.” The crowd was wild, the band was locked in, and the chaos only fueled the energy.
Green Day is also riding high off the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, the deluxe reissue, and their recent Landmark Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. If there was any doubt whether they could still burn down the stage—well, they answered that.
One thing’s for sure: Coachella 2025 won’t forget Green Day’s set anytime soon.
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