Foo Fighters Go Old-School with Packed Surprise Sayreville Show

From left: Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, Dave Grohl, Ilan Rubin, Nate Mendel, and Pat Smear.

Foo Fighters made it feel like the good old days again (which, as Gen Z, I’m definitely not qualified to talk about). Last Wednesday, they announced two surprise pop-up shows — NYC on April 30th at Irving Plaza, and NJ on May 2nd at Starland Ballroom. For a legendary rock band that usually tours stadiums and arenas, this was a HUGE deal — if you were lucky enough to score a ticket.

Here’s the catch: tickets were in-person only, starting at 10am. I’ve never camped out for tickets before, but my favorite band in the world was playing a 2,500-capacity venue 20 minutes from me in New Jersey for only $30. There was no way I was passing that up.

The fine print on the announcement said the Starland Ballroom parking lot would open at 4am. I got in line just before 5am on Thursday, with well over 1,000 people already ahead of me — sitting, standing, talking music, swapping Foo memories. Despite the cold, wet weather, those five hours flew by. Around 9:30am, the line finally started moving, and tickets began getting handed out at the box office. I secured mine, could finally breathe (and sleep), and instantly started counting down to Saturday.

Walk onto the stage — on their way to Fight some Foo.

To say this was the best concert I’ve ever been to is an understatement. The energy in the room was unreal. If the only way to get a ticket was lining up at 4am, you already know it was packed with die-hard fans. And honestly, camping out made it even more meaningful — it felt like you earned your spot in that room.

I’m still processing how magical it all was —everyone screaming, dancing, moshing, air drumming (me). I was lucky enough to see Foo Fighters at the barricade in Coney Island a few years ago, and I thought that would be the closest I’d ever get to seeing “My Hero.” Then somehow, here I was again — closer, louder, and completely in it.

I’m honestly at a loss for words. Photos and videos don’t even come close to capturing what it felt like.

“This one’s called Monkey Wrench!”…

“It’s times like these you learn to live again.”

Videos: John Matlosz

These pop-up shows were in support of their 12th album, Your Favorite Toy. They’re on tour right now. If you get the chance, go see them — seriously.