Inexperienced Day delivered a politically charged efficiency throughout their Jan. 19 live performance at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, marking their debut in South Africa.
Whereas performing their iconic 2004 hit “American Fool,” frontman Billie Joe Armstrong swapped the lyric “I’m not part of the redneck agenda” with “I’m not part of the Elon agenda,” a direct jab at billionaire Elon Musk, who was born in Pretoria.
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The present in South Africa, a part of the Calabash 2025 pageant, noticed Inexperienced Day headlining alongside The Offspring and native punk heroes Fokofpolisiekar.
The jab at Musk comes amidst controversy surrounding the billionaire’s conduct at Trump’s second inauguration.
Throughout his speech on the celebration, Musk made a hand gesture that sparked widespread on-line comparisons to a Nazi salute. Critics lambasted the gesture, whereas Musk dismissed the criticism, calling it a “drained” assault. The Anti-Defamation League in the end described the gesture as an “awkward gesture in a second of enthusiasm” reasonably than malicious intent, however the incident added to the polarizing determine’s contentious popularity.
This isn’t the primary time Inexperienced Day has referred to as out Musk; after their 2023 New Yr’s Rockin’ Eve efficiency, the place they altered the lyrics of “American Fool” to say “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda,” Musk criticized the band on X (previously Twitter), writing, “Inexperienced Day goes from raging in opposition to the machine to milquetoastedly raging for it.”
In response, bassist Mike Dirnt quipped as per The Unbiased, “Elon Musk truly is the machine. I can’t take the rest from that. He’s not shy about saying silly s**t on the web. No matter. The tune’s twenty years outdated, and we’re Inexperienced Day. What did you count on?”
Musk is but to touch upon their newest jab.
Inexperienced Day has an extended historical past of difficult political figures by their music. The band famously chanted “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” throughout their efficiency on the 2016 American Music Awards. In 2023, they launched the “Final Nimrod” t-shirt, that includes Trump’s mugshot styled after their Nimrod album cowl, with proceeds supporting Maui wildfire reduction efforts.
“Good Riddance. The last word Nimrod shirt is obtainable for 72 hours solely,” Inexperienced Day posted on the time. “Restricted version shirt proceeds shall be donated to…[Greater Good Music], a charity which is bringing meals to these affected by the Maui wildfires.”
Armstrong has additionally been vocal in urging followers to vote for progressive candidates, not too long ago endorsing Kamala Harris for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
As Inexperienced Day continues their custom of mixing music and activism, they’ve additionally maintained their stature as one of the crucial influential punk bands on the Billboard charts.
Their Grammy-winning album American Fool debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2004 and has bought over seven million copies within the U.S. alone. “Boulevard of Damaged Goals,” one of many band’s most enduring hits, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Sizzling 100, whereas “Wake Me Up When September Ends” reached No. 6. Their follow-up album, twenty first Century Breakdown, additionally debuted at No. 1 in 2009, persevering with their legacy of chart dominance.
