In a moment of pure rock-and-roll magic, fans at London’s O2 Arena were treated to an unforgettable surprise when the Foo Fighters invited none other than Rick Astley onstage for a wild, genre-blending performance.
The crowd erupted as Astley—best known for his iconic 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up”—joined the band for an unexpected mashup of that very song with Nirvana’s grunge classic “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” With Astley’s unmistakable vocals taking on a gritty, rock-infused edge, the performance delivered a thrilling collision of musical worlds that sent fans into a frenzy.
The energy in the arena was electric as the Foo Fighters once again proved their unmatched talent for spontaneity and showmanship. A fan-shot video of the moment quickly went viral, racking up over 9 million views online and drawing widespread praise across social media platforms.
At 52, Astley’s voice sounded as strong and captivating as ever, effortlessly cutting through the roar of the crowd. Frontman Dave Grohl was visibly thrilled throughout the set, clearly enjoying every second of the surprise and the joy it sparked in the audience.
This wasn’t the first time Grohl and Astley have shared a stage. Their unexpected friendship began in Tokyo, where they first performed “Never Gonna Give You Up” together to a stunned crowd. That impromptu collaboration struck such a chord with fans that Astley later recorded a heartfelt studio cover of the Foo Fighters’ “Everlong”—a tribute that resonated deeply with listeners around the world.
Reflecting on their first jam session, Astley revealed that it was entirely unrehearsed—just two artists letting the music lead the way. He also gave a friendly heads-up to viewers of the performance video, noting some “colorful language” at the start, which he chalked up to pure adrenaline and excitement.
Moments like these are a reminder of what makes live music so powerful: its ability to surprise, to connect, and to bring people together across genres and generations. As the Foo Fighters and Rick Astley proved once again, sometimes the most unforgettable performances are the ones no one saw coming.
