Watch Green Day Perform a Surprise Acoustic Set in a Packed NYC Subway Station

Green Day at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards - Arrivals, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.

Photo: s_bukley/Depositphotos

The New York City subway is no stranger to buskers, filling the city's underground with music. But every once in a while, commuters are serenaded by world-famous rockstars. Green Day recently took to a subway station in Midtown Manhattan to perform a surprise acoustic set for passersby.

The unexpected performance was taped as part of a bit for The Tonight Show, with host Jimmy Fallon even joining the band by playing the tambourine. The band first appeared in costumes, donning glasses, wigs, and beanies to hide their identities as part of a sketch. Despite beginning their set with a cover of the power ballad “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” with Fallon and Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong sharing the vocal duties, the disguises did not trick the riders, who immediately recognized Armstrong's voice (and the TV-level production surrounding them further gave the secret away).

By the end of the song, a large crowd had gathered around them, and many were capturing the performance with their phones. After revealing their identities and removing their costumes, the band launched into a performance of their 1994 hit, “Basket Case.” Green Day then played two songs off their new album, Saviors—”Dilemma” and “Look Ma, No Brains!”—before rounding off with “American Idiot,” one of the most popular songs in their catalogue.

You can listen to Green Day's discography on Spotify. Should you want to experience one of their live shows like those lucky commuters, the band will embark on a world tour later this year.

Green Day recently took to a subway station in Midtown Manhattan to perform an acoustic set for passersby.

The surprise performance was taped as part of a bit for The Tonight Show, with host Jimmy Fallon even joining the band by playing the tambourine.

Green Day: Website | Instagram | Spotify

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Regina Sienra

Regina Sienra is a Staff Writer at My Modern Met. Based in Mexico City, Mexico, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications with specialization in Journalism from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She has 10+ years’ experience in Digital Media, writing for outlets in both English and Spanish. Her love for the creative arts—especially music and film—drives her forward every day.
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