In addition to changes in the repertoire in relation to The Town 2023, such as the inclusion of the ballads “Wheels” and “Marigold”, the biggest news was the change of drummer. Ilan Rubin, correct in his role, entered in 2025 after the departure of Josh Freese, who had taken over Hawkins' position at the event in São Paulo. As in the São Paulo festival, "Aurora", from the album "There Is Nothing Left to Lose" (1999), was dedicated to the drummer, who played in Foo Fighters from 1997 to 2022, when he died. The ballad was his favorite song.
Another exciting moment, "Marigold" was not on the 2023 setlist. The song written by Grohl first appeared on "Pocketwatch", an album he released in 1992 with the Late! project. Grohl's previous band Nirvana recorded a version in 1993 as the B-side of the single "Heart-Shaped Box".
Then, a live recording by Foo Fighters came out on "Skin and Bones" in 2006. Yes, "Marigold" is the only song released by both of his bands. In other words, its presence in the repertoire should perhaps be more celebrated by fans.
"The first time I came to Brazil was in 1993. This song is older than that... It's for hardcore Nirvana fans", he announced, remembering that he composed the song playing softly so as not to wake his friend Kurt Cobain, who died a year later.
An important part of this Nirvana (band led by Cobain) and Foo Fighters connection, Pat Smear continues in his role as “almost brother” to Dave, with whom the guitarist has played since the 1990s.
Shielded by him and the other three musicians, but Dave continues with a bunch of questions. "Are you ready?", "Do you know this song?" and "Do you know how to scream?" were some of them. As we already know, there is no bandleader with more doubts than David Eric Grohl.
The structure of the show also remains somewhat intact. Today, it is almost impossible to imagine a setlist of theirs without “Everlong” at the end or without “All My Life” at the beginning, for example. The biggest improvisation is the inclusion of “Exhausted”, from the debut album released in 1995. Requested by a fan in the lineup, it is played for the first time in Brazil.
"Stacked actors", a beautiful, lesser-known track from the album “There Is Nothing Left to Lose”, is received with disdain by almost the entire audience. “Wheels”, a ballad played on acoustic guitar and released in 2009, is another one that distracts everyone. The only one chosen from “Your Favorite Toy”, released last April, “Window” is another one unfortunately received as a bathroom trail.
Before "These Days", he explains what the show will be like: "We're not going to stop between songs because today we only have two hours of show. Sing the songs and if you don't know the words, just imitate the older guy next to you." For Dave, this is one of the “oldies”, which may leave the 40+ audience a little confused, given that it was launched in 2011.
Anyone who sees Dave and the Foo Fighters dominating the World Stage in front of almost 100,000 people would not imagine that they were supporting actors in their debut here. At Rock in Rio 2001, they played before R.E.M. The show had some nerves and lasted 58 minutes. On his 32nd birthday, the vocalist received a kiss from his then girlfriend, bassist Melissa Auf der Maur, and a hug from Cássia Eller, who sang before. The two appeared on stage holding a cake.
Without this spontaneity at the beginning, but with their arena rock increasingly well calibrated, Foo Fighters returns to Brazil in 2027. They play on February 18th at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte, and on February 20th at MorumBIS, in São Paulo.
