It was 2017 in Chiba, Japan. The humidity at the Summer Sonic Festival was probably brutal. Tens of thousands of fans were waiting for the Foo Fighters to do what they do best: play loud, sweaty rock and roll. Suddenly, Dave Grohl brings out a "new best friend."
Out walks Rick Astley.
Most people know him from that one 80s song that refuses to die. You know the one. It’s the soundtrack to every bait-and-switch link you’ve clicked since 2007. But what happened next wasn't just a gimmick. It was a weirdly perfect collision of grunge and pop that basically rewrote the rules of festival surprises.
The band didn't just play a pop cover. They launched into the opening riff of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The crowd went absolutely feral. Then, instead of Kurt Cobain’s raspy vocals, Astley’s booming baritone hit the mic with "Never Gonna Give You Up."
It was the ultimate live Rickroll.
How the Foo Fighters Rick Astley Moment Actually Happened
Believe it or not, this wasn't a rehearsed PR stunt months in the making. According to Grohl, the band only realized Astley was on the same festival bill about an hour before they went on.
They were backstage messing around. Musicians do that. They noticed something kind of hilarious: the arrangement, the tempo, and the chord structure of Astley’s 1987 hit are almost identical to Nirvana’s 1991 anthem.
"We’re cracking up playing it in this warm-up room," Grohl later explained in interviews. Then, he saw Astley standing on the side of the stage during the set. Dave walked over, introduced himself, and basically asked, "Hey, you want to come out and do this weird version?"
Astley’s response? "Brilliant."
🔗 Read more: What Should I Watch on Prime: Why Most People Are Missing the Best Stuff
He didn't just show up; he owned it. He was running around, shouting "Come on you motherf**kers!" and looking like he was having the time of his life. It worked because it was authentic. There was no corporate polish. It was just a group of middle-aged guys who have won everything there is to win in music, deciding to have a laugh at the expense of 50,000 people.
The Science Behind the Sound
Why does it sound so good? It’s not just luck.
Music nerds will tell you that the driving drum beat Dave Grohl used for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" provides a high-energy foundation that fits the syncopation of Astley’s vocals. The "Teen Spirit" riff is iconic for its four-chord power, and "Never Gonna Give You Up" follows a similarly predictable (and catchy) pop progression.
When you mash them together, you get this heavy, distorted wall of sound that supports a vocal melody everyone already knows by heart. It’s like a puzzle piece you didn't know was missing.
Beyond Japan: The Bromance Continues
That 2017 Tokyo show wasn't the end of the road for Foo Fighters and Rick Astley. They liked each other too much for it to be a one-off.
- London 2017: Just weeks after the Japan stunt, Astley joined them again at the O2 Arena.
- Reading Festival 2019: They did it again, proving the meme still had legs.
- The "Everlong" Cover: Astley eventually returned the favor by posting a stripped-back, acoustic cover of the Foo Fighters' "Everlong" on his YouTube channel.
Watching a pop icon from the 80s tackle one of the most beloved rock songs of the 90s could have been cringeworthy. Instead, it was heartfelt. It showed that Astley wasn't just "the meme guy." He’s a legitimate musician with a massive voice who respects the craft of others.
The Foo Fighters have a history of this kind of stuff. Remember when they Rickrolled the Westboro Baptist Church from the back of a moving truck in 2015? They’ve always used Astley's music as a weapon of "aggressive positivity."
Why We Are Still Talking About This in 2026
Honestly, the music industry can be a bit of a drag sometimes. It's all about "brand synergy" and "algorithmic reach."
The Foo Fighters Rick Astley collaboration represents the opposite of that. It’s the joy of the "what if?"
It reminds us that rock music doesn't always have to be serious or brooding. Sometimes, it can just be a big, loud joke that sounds incredible. It also helped revitalize Astley's career for a younger generation. People who only knew him as a thumbnail on a YouTube prank suddenly realized the guy can actually sing.
He’s currently touring into 2026, selling out arenas like the O2 on his own merit. Much of that "cool factor" was cemented the moment he stepped on stage with the loudest band in the world and held his own.
What You Can Learn From the Rickroll
If you're a creator or a musician, there’s a lesson here. Don't be afraid of the "weird" crossover.
The Foo Fighters could have stayed in their lane. They could have played the hits and gone home. Instead, they leaned into a meme and created a moment that lived far longer than a standard setlist would have.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
- Check out the original 2017 Summer Sonic footage on YouTube; the audio-visual quality is surprisingly good for a fan-shot video.
- Listen to Rick Astley’s acoustic "Everlong" cover to hear the "Nirvana-style" singer tackle a Foo Fighters classic.
- Keep an eye on festival lineups—whenever Rick and the Foos are in the same city, there's a non-zero chance the "new best friend" might make an appearance.