In a powerful display of musical philanthropy, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and his side project The Coverups delivered an intimate two-hour benefit concert at West Hollywood's Troubadour, supporting communities affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
The Friday evening performance, which brought together 500 attendees, featured Armstrong alongside vocalist/guitarist Jason White, bassist Bill Schneider, and drummer Chris Dugan. The band, formed in 2018, transformed the venue into a high-energy celebration of classic rock covers while raising funds for the Altadena Boys and Altadena Girls organizations.
The setlist included beloved hits like Bryan Adams' "Summer of '69," Sweet's "Fox on the Run," and Cheap Trick's "Surrender," alongside fresh additions such as Soul Asylum's "Sometime to Return" and Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." The evening saw special guest appearances, including Armstrong's son Jakob Danger joining for The Replacements' "Color Me Impressed."
A touching moment occurred when Sugarcult's Marko DeSantis, who lost his home in the fires, joined the band for a rendition of the Ramones' "Rockaway Beach." Armstrong shared DeSantis's moving story of finding his wife's wedding ring among the rubble of their destroyed home.
The concert followed Thursday's larger FireAid benefit event, which had already generated $60 million in donations before its start. During the Troubadour show, Armstrong took a moment to address the audience about maintaining mental well-being during challenging times, emphasizing the importance of choosing one's battles and surrounding oneself with genuine support.
All merchandise proceeds from the evening went directly to the Altadena organizations, reinforcing the community-focused nature of the event. The concert demonstrated how music continues to serve as a powerful tool for bringing people together and providing support during times of crisis.
The intimate performance at the Troubadour offered a stark contrast to the previous night's stadium-sized FireAid event, proving that both large and small-scale musical gatherings can create meaningful impact in disaster relief efforts.