This year marks a major milestone for Foo Fighters, 30 years since the release of their self-titled debut album in 1995. What began as Dave Grohl’s post-Nirvana project has become one of rock’s most enduring bands, shaped by triumphs, tragedy, reinvention, and the kind of raw, emotional honesty few bands sustain over decades.
As the Foo Fighters step into their fourth decade, their anniversary isn’t just a look backward, it’s also very much about what comes next.
Marking The Moment: Today’s Song
To commemorate the anniversary, Foo Fighters released a new single, “Today’s Song,” on July 2, 2025.
This track is their first original music since But Here We Are (2023).
“Today’s Song” carries Foo Fighters’ signature energy, emotionally resonant lyrics, soaring choruses, melodic contrast between softer verses and more expansive rock climaxes. But it also feels like a statement of survival and renewal.
In his message to fans, Dave Grohl reflected on “moments of unbridled joy, and moments of devastating heartbreak… beautiful victory and painful defeat,” acknowledging both past members (William Goldsmith, Franz Stahl, Josh Freese) and especially the late Taylor Hawkins.
The artwork for the single was designed by Grohl’s daughter, Harper, adding a personal, intimate layer to the release.
Intimate Live Moments & Pop-Ups
As part of the 30th anniversary, the band has done more than drop a single, they’ve been reconnecting with smaller spaces and audiences in powerful ways.
A recent, surprise pop-up show at Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, gave fans an intimate experience rarely possible for a band of this size. The show included both hits and deep cuts, including tracks off their debut album like Alone + Easy Target, Weenie Beenie, and This Is a Call.
The band also played other small-venue shows around the U.S., including California and Washington, D.C., bringing back the grit and immediacy that shaped their early days.
Tribute, Loss & Gratitude
The 30th anniversary has also been a moment for remembrance.
- Dave Grohl’s public tributes to Taylor Hawkins are among the most touching threads in the band’s recent narrative. Hawkins’ influence and spirit are repeatedly affirmed to still be woven into Foo Fighters’ music and identity.
- Grohl has also thanked former members, including those who contributed early and those whose time in the group was briefer, for their impact on the band’s journey. It’s an inclusive, honest acknowledgment of how many people shaped Foo Fighters over three decades.
What’s Next: Tours, Global Stage & International Dates
The anniversary isn’t just for reflection, it’s being paired with fresh live plans.
Foo Fighters are set to hit international stages this autumn, with confirmed dates in Asia (Jakarta, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka) and Mexico City (Corona Capital Festival) among others.
These performances will be their first since some lineup changes, and fans are keen to see how the band sounds in these live settings given the shifting internal dynamics.
Why the 30th Anniversary Matters
- A Test of Longevity
Very few rock bands sustain relevance, energy, and fan connection over three decades. The Foo Fighters’ ability to do so, through internal changes, external pressures, and personal tragedy, is a part of their legacy. - Artistic Renewal
Rather than resting on their catalog, they’ve opted to release new music, perform unexpected shows, and keep evolving. “Today’s Song” isn’t just nostalgia, it’s a sign that the band still has more to say. - Community & Remembering What Mattered
With intimate shows, tributes, and engagement with the past (both triumphs and losses), the anniversary becomes less about spectacle and more about connection, with fans, with bandmates, and with the parts of their history that shaped them. - Carrying Forward the Legacy
The acknowledgement of past members and the inclusion of Taylor Hawkins in all future notes signal that the band isn’t trying to overwrite history. Instead, they’re building on it, letting grief and memory fuel, not anchor, their future.
Challenges & Questions Ahead
- Who will be the permanent drummer going forward? With Josh Freese out and Ilan Rubin now in some capacity, there is curiosity about the stability and creative input of the new lineup.
- Will there be a full world tour or special anniversary edition(s) of past works (deluxe reissues, remasters, box sets)? Fans are hoping for more than what has already been announced.
- How will the band balance their legacy with new creative risk? There’s a fine line between celebrating the past and being tethered by it.
Final Thoughts
The Foo Fighters’ 30th anniversary isn’t just a milestone, it’s a mid-career inflection. It’s a time to honor what’s passed, acknowledge what’s been lost, and still push forward.
“Today’s Song” shows a band that has scars and memories, yes, but also a commitment to staying alive as creators, performers, friends. Their decision to scale down in some ways, surprise shows, personal art, tributes, while also planning international dates, feels like a healthy balancing act.
For long-time fans, this anniversary is wrapped in nostalgia, yes, but also gratitude and hope. For new listeners, it’s a moment to witness a band that refuses to settle, even after 30 years.
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