Green Day plays NYC subway with Jimmy Fallon: 'One of my coolest Rock Center moments'

Jan. 17, 2024, 12:12 p.m.

The acclaimed rock band played an impromptu concert at the Rockefeller Center station on Tuesday night ahead of its upcoming album release.

Green Day performs in Hollywood, California, on New Year's Eve on Dec. 31, 2023.

When Green Day comes to New York City, you'll know where to find the band: at a big open-air venue like Citi Field ... or on a crowded subway platform underground.

The acclaimed rock band made an appearance at the Rockefeller Center station in Midtown on Tuesday night, performing hits like "American Idiot" and "Basket Case" after entering the subway in disguise, according to attendees who posted about the impromptu busking event on social media.

"I love you!" one fan was recorded shouting during an acoustic version of "American Idiot."

"One of my coolest rock center moments," another attendee later posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

The Grammy-winning band, which formed in 1987, also played a cover of KISS' 1975 anthem "Rock and Roll All Nite."

Fans who had gotten word of the mini-concert reported dashing to the station to watch Green Day, who were in town for a small-stage SiriusXM show at Irving Plaza near Union Square on Wednesday to promote "Saviors," their forthcoming, 14th studio album.

"Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon also participated in the band's surprise subway performance, shaking a tambourine. He's previously shown up incognito for pop-up subway performances with artists including U2 and Miley Cyrus.

Here's Green Day's set list from Tuesday night, via setlist.fm, a crowdsourced live music tracker:

  1. "Feel Like Makin' Love" (Bad Company cover)
  2. "Basket Case"
  3. "Look Ma, No Brains!"
  4. "Rock and Roll All Nite" (KISS cover)
  5. "Dilemma"
  6. "American Idiot"
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