Punk rock veterans Green Day took the stage on the eve of the Super Bowl, performing at the FanDuel x Spotify party.
Known for their raw political commentary and defiant stage presence, the band toned things down considerably just hours before the big game - much to the disappointment of longtime fans expecting their signature edge.
Green Day Avoids MAGA Jab and Epstein Lyric in Pre-Super Bowl Gig
In recent concerts, Green Day has leaned into their anti-establishment roots, updating lyrics in songs like 'American Idiot' to reflect current political tensions.
The line “I’m not a part of the redneck agenda” has frequently been swapped out for the more pointed “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda.”
But during their Friday night set, lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong didn’t even sing the verse that included the line.
The band also opted out of their controversial twist on the song 'Holiday.'
They’ve previously used the lyric “The representative from Epstein’s Island has the floor” in place of the original “The representative from California has the floor.” Once again, this moment was absent from their brief set.
The omission didn’t go unnoticed. Fans voiced their discontent online, with one writing: "I was waiting for Green Day to tell Trump to go f*** himself." Another simply posted: "Green Day let me down."
Bad Bunny Gears Up for Halftime Show with Political Heat and Grammy Gold
While Green Day pulled back on the political commentary, this year’s Halftime Show headliner is no stranger to controversy.
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican global superstar, headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium near San Francisco, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots.
His selection stirred conservative backlash last fall, stemming from his outspoken criticism of Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Detractors even attempted to discredit his eligibility, falsely claiming he wasn’t American. As a native of Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny is in fact a U.S. citizen.
Fresh Off Grammy Wins, Bad Bunny Uses Spotlight to Speak Out
Bad Bunny entered Super Bowl weekend with major momentum after scoring three Grammy Awards just one week before the game.
He won Best Global Music Performance for 'EoO,' Best Música Urbana Album, and the coveted Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
During his acceptance speech for Best Música Urbana Album, Bad Bunny made his political stance clear.
Before acknowledging the Recording Academy, fans, and God, he declared, “say ICE out,” referencing a slogan worn by celebrities in protest of violent actions attributed to ICE agents in Minneapolis.
He continued with a heartfelt message: "We are not savage. We are not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans."
Expanding on the theme of unity and compassion, he added: "Also, I will say to people, I know it’s tough to know not to hate on these days and I was thinking sometimes, we get contaminados [contaminated], I don’t know how to say that in English. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love."
He ended on a powerful note: "So please, we need to be different if we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them. We love our people. We love our family, and that’s the way to do it. With love. Don’t forget that, please. Thank you."